I want to clean my PC

Please can somebody advise how to delete unwated files in case I delete something important. There are so many files, I am not sure which one to delete. E.G I am using Internet Security 2007, therefore I assume it is ok for me to delete internet security 2006.Thanks

Hi, You are right there are so many files it is difficult to know what can be deleted. There is a large difference between deleting and uninstalling and if you are not 100% sure of the difference and what can be deleted safely, then the best advice is not to delete anything at all, without taking advice. (it's quite possible to render your computer totally unusable by deleting a folder, file or files that should be left alone.) There are a number of products that have "Internet Security 2007 in their title, they are usually concerned with anti-virus/firewall protection and sometimes have other products included within them that provide some protection from things like unwanted advertising by email, spyware and the like. Norton, Panda, Sophos and several other software products use the name "Internet Security 2007 in their titles and generally when you come to install the product the installer they use or supply will automatically uninstall the previous version of the product. If it does not then they will provide clear instructions on how to uninstall the previous version which should normally be done before installing the new one. Anti-virus and similar security products often integrate very closely and tightly with the Windows Operating System and it is generally very unwise, repeat very unwise, to delete files and folders especially via Explorer/My Computer, unless you are totally confident and expert in understanding the dependencies involved. If you need further information on this please post back giving the full name of the product and version numbers and the header from your HiJackThis log, just the header is needed (the first 4 lines) and tell us what problems your computer is experiencing and the symptons on which you need further information or advice. Regards paws

Uninstalling specific applications can be "dicey" and in instances where you've updated/upgraded to a newer version of an application, you should consult the product application website authors for their recommendation.

What fills up the Hard Drive without our even knowing it, is the tons of Temporary and Temporary Internet Files that the machine stores simply because they were once downloaded and used.

Ordinarily, the machine stores such items in C:\windows\Temp and C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\.
There's a reason the Folders contain the words "temp or temporary". The item was once needed and used, but is no longer needed. It's safe to delete these files, and you can recover a large amount of Hard Drive space by doing so, and sometimes even improve system functioning.

Here's a protocol that may be useful to you in accomplishing this task:

Clean up your temporary and temporary internet files.

QUOTE
Here's a complete routine to manually do that:
To clean out all the temporary files and cookies on your system.
Go to
Start - Run - (type) "cleanmgr" without the quotes.
Let it scan your system for files to remove.
Check these three boxes and then press ok to remove:
Temporary Files,
Temporary Internet Files,
Recycle Bin.

Then GoTo:
Start - Find/search - Files or folders - in the named box, type: *.tmp
When the list is generated, choose
Edit - select all - File - delete.

Note: If you cannot delete them all at once because you have too many, then click and hold ctrl and highlight a batch of them at a time. Once highlighted, R-click over the highlight and select delete.

Then use
Start - Run - (type) "%temp%" (without the quotes).
Delete the entire contents of that "temp" folder
(use Edit - Select All - press "Delete", click "Yes").

Then,
Empty your Temporary Internet Cache completely.
Close all instances of Outlook and Internet Explorer,
then use "Control Panel - Internet Options - General tab and click the "Delete File" button.
When prompted place a check in: "Delete all offline content", then click OK.

Then, use Windows Explorer to clean out ALL the other temp folders on your system
(navigate to the folder, (as listed below)
use "Edit - Select All", press "Delete", click "Yes"

* C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Temp\
* C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\
* C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Temp\

* C:\Windows\Prefetch\

* Empty your "Recycle Bin".

Note: This is a long manual way to clear out .tmp files. It is safe and highly recommended.

Eventually you may wish to use a "tool" to do this procedure for you on a regular basis.
Download: CleanUp! 4.51 from http://www.stevengould.org
Read about all the options for using this device and use it only after you are satisfied that you understand what it will do for you. I use it regularly, and have a squeaky clean computer as a result. I recommend the default setting that are set during installation.


After doing the above routines, do this separate cleaning of your ActiveX, applets and Java routines:
GoTo:
Control Panel - JAVA - (this will open your JAVA Control Panel)
(in some cases the steps might be Control Panel - JAVA plugins)

Once your JAVA Control Panel is open, you will see a Button down toward the bottom of that panel labeled "Delete Files"
Click - Delete Files - OK, Then close your JAVA Control Panel and Reboot.

Note: The current version of JAVA Runtime Environment is Version build 09. If you are running an older version, there are specific "vulnerabilities" that have corrected in Version 8. Recommended: Use Add/Remove to "completely" uninstall your Current JAVA Runtime Environment. Then go to C:\Program Files and Delete the entire Folder of JAVA. Then install the newest version of JAVA Runtime Environment. Get it here:
http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Please note that in doing the above routines, you will "lose" any auto-login settings that Window has saved for you regarding Websites that you visit that require Username and Password to access the site, and any ActiveX scripts necessary to interact with the Website.

This is not a problem, since you will merely be required to "re-enter" your Username and Password the next time you visit any such site. (for instance, Here at TomCoyote) Or you will be asked to download a fresh copy of any required ActiveX. After that, Windows will again remember the settings for you and you will be able to auto-login again.

It's a good idea to clear up these features on a fairly regular basis, for a couple of reasons. First, ActiveX and applet routines occasionally become corrupted and can be infected with some malwares. Second, temporary internet files are often the first entry point of spyware/malware.


If you're using FireFox or Opera as web browsers, there are additional areas to clean.
Let us know if you require additional recommendations for those or other Browsers.

Best Regards

Edit. sorry Marie48, I seem to have suffered from the old "finger trouble" must have pushed the send button twice!..Paws Hi, You are right there are so many files it is difficult to know what can be deleted. There is a large difference between deleting and uninstalling and if you are not 100% sure of the difference and what can be deleted safely, then the best advice is not to delete anything at all, without taking advice. (it's quite possible to render your computer totally unusable by deleting a folder, file or files that should be left alone.) There are a number of products that have "Internet Security 2007 in their title, they are usually concerned with anti-virus/firewall protection and sometimes have other products included within them that provide some protection from things like unwanted advertising by email, spyware and the like. Norton, Panda, Sophos and several other software products use the name "Internet Security 2007 in their titles and generally when you come to install the product the installer they use or supply will automatically uninstall the previous version of the product. If it does not then they will provide clear instructions on how to uninstall the previous version which should normally be done before installing the new one. Anti-virus and similar security products often integrate very closely and tightly with the Windows Operating System and it is generally very unwise, repeat very unwise, to delete files and folders especially via Explorer/My Computer, unless you are totally confident and expert in understanding the dependancies involved. If you need further information on this please post back giving the full name of the product and version numbers and the header from your HiJackThis log, just the header is needed (the first 4 lines) and tell us what problems your computer is experiencing and the symptons on which you need further information or advice. Regards paws