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How do I clean up my laptop and get rid of all the stuff on it.?

Like how do I clean up the hard drive, and get rid of althatht old gunk that is just laying around on the computer so that it will run a little faster. And please people when you respond, please do not assume that I know what you mean when you say stuff like well open tools. Iike how do you open tools? I need the 123 step process that I can write down and follow so that I can go in and take some of this stuff off that is just laying around on my laptop.

Update:

I have a dell Inspiron E 1505, and please I need very simple 1 2 3 step directions. I am not going to back up any files, because I do not know how....please keep it simple so I can write it down and follow the directions. thanks

6 Answers

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  • Favorite Answer

    You can remove old programs off of your computer pretty simply. Assuming you are using a Windows OS:

    1) Start button(bottom left)

    2) Control Panel(if you can't find it, try using the search feature)

    3) Programs

    4) Under Programs and Features look for "Uninstall a program"

    5) This should bring up another window.

    6) You should be able to double click any of the programs

    This was done in Vista, but I know it is similar in XP.

    This will give you more room on your hard drive, but it doesn't necessarily make your computer faster. To do this, you should run daily maintenance. This is simple as well.

    Start>Control panel>system and maintenance>free up disk space

    Source(s): Personal experience.
  • Csmart
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    1. take back up of your data ie documents, spreadsheet, music/video files, pictures/photographs everything that is your personal.

    to back above data (if they are in C:):

    1. check wehter you have more than one partition or local drives.

    2. double click on my computer and check how many local disks are visible. it will be like c:, d: and so. NO CD/DVD drive. if not, then connect external USB drive to your PC and copy data to external drive.

    3. if you have more than one ie C: and other drive, it can be E:, F:...

    4. copy all above mentioned files to either D E or F. Copy one folder at a time. (DO NOT COPY Program files or windows folrder. If you have data in this folders, then just copy files from them)

    after copying data, delete all the copied folders from C:.

    copy files and folders from desktop to another drive and delete from desktop.

    remove all unwanted software:

    go to control panel

    start > setting > control panel > add/remove programs

    in add remove programs, you will find list of all ht einstalled programs.

    in right top corner, change the sort by option and select either "Date last used" or "freuqnecy of use". this will allow you to know hich software is used and which is not.

    select the software that you want remove and click on remove button..

    also scan your computer for Viruses.

    defragment your dirves:

    close all open program

    double click my computer > rightr click on c: > properties > Tools > Defragment now

    a windows will open and click defragment. it will show the disk you have selected. let it defrag it. it may take few hours also. dont worry.

    similarly follow steps for other drives ie D:, F: etc. NO NEED TO DEFRAG DVD DRIVE.

    Best option:

    install OS again. you can use Recovery CD provided by the manufacturer. but then you have to install all software like Office etc again. you also have to do all your network settings again. DO THIS ONLY IF YOU ARE CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN INSTALL THE SOFTWARE AND OTHER SETTINGS. OTHERWISE, NOT ADVISABLE. you will lost all your data from the drive.

  • 1 decade ago

    download this program called advanced system care on download.com. you just click scan and it detects all the junk for you and you can delete it there. it also fixes your registry.

    if you don't want to download stuff

    first run disk cleanup found in accessories --> system files folder and delete all unnecessary files

    then run disk defragmenter under the same folder to speed things up

    if you have junk software that you don't use that often go to control panel and select uninstall programs and delete programs you don't need

    i do this all the time when i was a kid. have fun.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    i might say defrag it or you probably have home windows are living onecare, you'll be able to run a music up with a purpose to defrag, eliminate useless records, and test your laptop. It works satisfactory for my presario!

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  • mike H
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    goto my computer/computer and right click on the C drive - select properties and then under the general tab select clean up.

    also worth defragmenting the drive

    again right click on the C drive and select properties - tools tab - defragment now.

    if your feeling really adventurous recreating your windows profile makes a big difference - http://www.computer-adviser.com/windows-user-accou...

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    you need to be more specific. what kind of laptop do you have? brand/model

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