Safe to use Explorer's Disk Cleanup?


  1. Stevekir
    Posts : 231
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       New #1

    Safe to use Explorer's Disk Cleanup?


    I have lots of .tmp files on my C: drive (its an SSD) and on my X: drive (a separate rotational HDD in the computer's case holding all my Documents. Pictures etc.). These seem unecessary, and are religiously included by my third party daily backup routine (FreeFileSync). I am the Administrator.

    I would first boot the computer (to make sure that there were no temporary files that were being used by a program etc.), and get Windows 7 (Home Premium)'s Backup and Restore routine to make a backup, and I would create a Restore Point.

    For the X: drive I would make a backup of the drive, then set Disk Cleanup to clean all "Temporary Files". If that went OK, next the C: drive.

    For the C: drive: I would save elsewhere the WindowsImageBackup that Windows Backup and Restore is set to automatically make every day on X:, and use Disk Cleanup on the C: drive. If that went OK I would Cleanup the other types of files which are offered by Disk Cleanup, on each of these two drives .

    Operations like this can go wrong. I really really don't want to screw up my computer.

    >> Is the procedure I describe above safe? How could it be improved?

    Thanks.
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  3. ThrashZone
    Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       New #2

    Hi
    I use disk clean up and clean up system files too without any issues
    The only reported issue with clean up system files and it's windows update clean up is the windows update system may send an update that was cleaned up again.
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  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       New #3

    I use this one. Never had a problem.

    TFC - Temp File Cleaner by OldTimer Download - Geeks to Go Forum
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  6. Ranger4
    Posts : 9,746
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1
       New #4

    I also use Windows Disc Clean up & I have never had a problem with it.

    You do need to keep in mind that it does not actually remove any files etc. until you restart your computer. This is probably so any temp files in use don't get mangled. If you have a lot of files etc. to get rid of then it will give you notification when you shut down & may also notify you on restarting again.

    If you want to delete completed Windows Update Clean Up & Windows Error Reporting, right click on Disc Clean Up & Run as Administrator.
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  7. ThrashZone
    Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       New #5

    Yep tfc is great :)
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