Windows Vista® Step by Step Deluxe Edition

Removing Unnecessary Files

Every time you open a file, access a Web page, install a program, or download a file, Windows Vista creates a temporary file on your computer. In the case of program files such as documents, the temporary files contain autorecover information. Most of these temporary files are deleted automatically when they are no longer needed. However, poorly behaved programs sometimes don’t clean up after themselves, resulting in megabytes of unnecessary files on your hard disk.

Other types of unused files can also clutter up your hard disk. A common culprit is the Recycle Bin—by default, deleted files are stored in the Recycle Bin until you empty it.

Tip

To delete a file without temporarily storing it in the Recycle Bin, press Shift+Delete ...