deleteing old files? help

[archaeic_bloke]

k, so i run "disk cleanup " on windows XP to delete (SP2 btw) the old crap and free up some space... it deletes temp files etc.. and theres one point where it says "compress old files" does anyone know how i can actually delete the files instead of just compress em because its now compressing like 3 gigs of old files its rediculous.. thanks
-josh
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[gmoney]

i think the old files it refers to are files that u havent accessed for a while... they might still be important.... so u kno u might have to run through and delete them urself...

some one on the site recommended cc *crapcleaner**.... pretty good program... u should run it too..

[fussnfeathers]

Man..........3 gigs of "old files"...........

Might be time for a reformat, just dump everything, and put back what you actually need. Disk Cleanup doesn't actually remove anything other than temp files, IE history files, that sortof thing. You still have to do your own file maintenance, and delete crap you don't want, no longer use, or leftover bits from programs you uninstalled.

I usually go about it this way (once a month or so):

Uninstall any programs I don't use anymore, through the control panel, then look for programs that might not have an uninstall program (they just get deleted, old-skool style).

Open your Program Files directory, and delete any of the folders/files left over from those programs. Believe me, if you play a game that has "savegames", those filese generally don't get deleted, so the folder will still be there, you have to manually delete them. Pain in the butt.

Then, go through the rest of your system, and delete all the other chaff you don't need anymore. Temp files, IE history/cookie files, etc etc.

Takes awhile, if you don't do it regularly, but you're assured then that everything you wanted gone is *really* gone.

Really, though, here's what I'd suggest:

Format, and do a clean install. Use SP2 on XP. Then, when you're reinstalling, set up a couple of different partitions. Ideally, use two hard drives, with at least four partitions. Set it up this way:

Drive C (first partition) should be your OS, and the default install partition for your games and programs.

Drive D (second partition on the same drive) should be where you save your games, and "temporary" downloads that you may or may not keep. Keep the structure simple, say........a folder named "game files" with subfolders for each game (if they allow, most do), and a folder called "downloads".

On your second drive, create two partitions.

Drive E (first partition) should be where you put all your media files (music, movies, etc) and perhaps a "photos" folder. Mine is set up that way, with four main folders: Music, Movies, Personal Photos, Personal Docs.

Drive F (second partition on that drive) should be your "downloads" partition, where everything is safely away from the OS, until you can virus scan. I keep several folders there, based on what the files are. Alternate OS images, all my audio software plugins, e-books, that sortof thing.

As long as you stay organized, cleanup is a snap.
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[archaeic_bloke]

cool thanks.. i figured id hafta do it manually just thoughjt maybe windows had something more useful than disk cleanup.. im not a fan of partitions though.. i believe that a drive should never be partitioned.. i cant stand it.. it just creates extra directories ...JMO but thannks anyway man
-josh
_________________
My setupd:
OCZ DDR600 EL Platinum extreme edition
DFI lanparty UT SLI-DR eXpert
Athlon 64 3000+
PSU Thermaltake 680w
Armor case
Logitech Lx700
WD -SATA 37G 10k + 250G SATA Caviar SE16
Plextor PX716SA
XFX GeForce 7800 GT