Windows users can navigate to the Apps & Features menu via Settings, then Apps, and view a list of what's currently installed on the device.
Fortunately, it's possible to see which apps are taking up the most space and delete them manually.
These programs and applications can consume valuable hard drive space that you might need elsewhere, or want to free up for improved performance. Clear out the clutterĪsk yourself honestly – how many of the apps on your computer do you actually use? Probably not all of them, right? Especially the ones that come preloaded. Temporary files are created automatically when you do, and again, will hang around uninvited.
You'll also see temporary files if you download a lot of things from the web. Additionally, Windows uses temporary files to hold onto information whilst you're making modifications – like editing a Word document or using a printer. And you should – these files can take up a shocking amount of space in your hard drive! Your Chrome browser cache may contain these files, and redundant Windows system files can linger after system updates. Your computer makes use of temporary files quite frequently, but contrary to their name, they can hang around until you decide to get rid of them. If you're not actively using these documents, it's better to get rid of them or back them up elsewhere rather than leave them lying around. You might not think that there's a link between tidying your hard drive and your security, but there is! Hard drives often accrue old files and documents, and these can contain sensitive personal information – the sort you wouldn't want falling into the hands of a cybercriminal. Free up some space to see an improvement in speed, better app performance, as well as easier downloads and installations. Keep your device running smoothlyĪs we mentioned, a computer with a hard drive approaching its capacity is going to be slower than a shiny new one. But that's not all – we've listed some additional benefits below. It's the same with your hard drive!įrequently cleaning your hard drive can drastically improve your computer's performance.