{"id":6490,"date":"2019-07-26T23:54:18","date_gmt":"2019-07-26T22:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.n-able.com\/?p=6490"},"modified":"2024-03-04T16:54:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T16:54:26","slug":"how-to-clean-hard-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.n-able.com\/pt-br\/blog\/how-to-clean-hard-drive","title":{"rendered":"Hard Drive Cleaning Best Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the amount of data we handle today and ever-increasing files sizes, it\u2019s only a matter of time before managed services providers (MSPs) find themselves dealing with customers having full C drives. A hard drive that is at or near capacity will slow you down, turning once-simple tasks into time-consuming endeavors, and inhibit your ability to smoothly update installations and add new programs and applications. Regularly cleaning your customers\u2019 hard drives is one thing MSPs should be doing to help maximize space and boost performance.<\/p>\n

Beyond performance and functionality, knowing how to clean hard drives is a critical component of security\u2014keeping unnecessary, sensitive files and data around increases your\u00a0surface of attack exposure<\/a>. If you\u2019re going to decommission, donate, or recycle a computer, then it\u2019s also important to learn how to properly wipe clean a hard drive so no trace of sensitive information remains.<\/p>\n

What is taking up space on my hard drive?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Programs and applications that come bundled into the software you\u2019re using on a daily basis can take up the most space on your hard drive without you even knowing they\u2019re there. Other hidden culprits include old (often redundant) Windows system files that remain after a new Windows update has been implemented.<\/p>\n

Many day-to-day files also take up more space than you may realize, especially if hidden duplicates abound. Space taken up by photos and videos in particular can add up quickly, due to advancements made in high-quality image capture. You should also look for temporary files used by other programs. Chrome browser caches, for example, can take up a sizeable chunk of your C drive and must be cleared regularly.<\/p>\n

In addition to file type and size, it\u2019s important to be aware of where your files are living. Content on your desktop and in synced OneDrive folders, as well as anything stored in your downloads or recycle bin, all consume space.<\/p>\n

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Set your sights on the future of the MSP industry with the first ever MSP Horizons Report<\/a>, jointly produced by N\u2011able and international MSP-focused research firm, Canalys\u2026<\/strong>
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How do I clean up my hard drive?<\/b><\/h2>\n

When it comes to how to clean a hard drive, a number of tools and tips exist to help you remove unnecessary files and applications. Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup are two common Windows features that make it easy for you to view file sizes and remove those that are no longer needed. While Disk Cleanup is technically the predecessor of Storage Sense, it\u2019s still widely available and considered the tool of choice for many IT professionals.<\/p>\n

The steps needed to remove temporary files with Disk Cleanup vary slightly depending on which version of Windows you\u2019re using, but they all follow roughly the same pattern:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Open \u201cStart\u201d<\/li>\n
  2. Search for \u201cDisk Cleanup\u201d and click it when it appears<\/li>\n
  3. Use the “Drives” drop-down menu and select the C drive<\/li>\n
  4. Click the \u201cOK\u201d button<\/li>\n
  5. Click the \u201cCleanup system files\u201d button<\/li>\n
  6. Select the boxes next to the files you want to delete (temporary internet files, downloaded program files, recycle bin, etc.)<\/li>\n
  7. Click \u201cOK\u201d and then \u201cDelete Files\u201d when asked if you\u2019re sure you want to delete<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Like Disk Cleanup, Storage Sense empowers you to manually view and delete temporary and junk files, quickly freeing space and boosting drive efficiency. The tool can also be configured to automatically remove temporary files and those in your recycle and download bin.<\/p>\n

    Follow these steps to remove files using Storage sense:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Open \u201cSettings.\u201d<\/li>\n
    2. Click on \u201cSystem.\u201d<\/li>\n
    3. Click on \u201cStorage.\u201d<\/li>\n
    4. Under the “Storage sense” section, click the \u201cFree up space now option,\u201d or the \u201cTemporary files\u201d box under \u201cLocal Disk C\u201d if you\u2019re running the Windows 10 May 2019 update.<\/li>\n
    5. Select the content you want to remove, such as downloads, temporary files, recycle bin, delivery optimized files, etc.<\/li>\n
    6. Hit \u201cRemove.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      To automate your Storage Sense and stay ahead of hard drive overload, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Open \u201cSettings.\u201d<\/li>\n
      2. Click on \u201cSystem.\u201d<\/li>\n
      3. Click on \u201cStorage.\u201d<\/li>\n
      4. Under the “Storage sense” section, click the \u201cChange how we free up space automatically\u201d option, or, if you’re running the May 2019 Update, click the \u201cConfigure Storage Sense\u201d or \u201cRun it now\u201d option under the “Storage” section.<\/li>\n
      5. Turn the \u201cStorage sense\u201d toggle switch on.<\/li>\n
      6. Use the \u201cRun Storage\u201d sense drop-down menu and select when (every day, week, month, etc.) you\u2019d like Storage sense to delete temporary files and those in the recycle and downloads bin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense are great options for getting started with hard drive cleaning, but there are many more options to consider. A few of the most effective include:<\/p>\n