If you’re running out of disk space, you’ll not only have file storage problems, but your computer won’t operate properly. Freeing up space is easy; it just takes getting around to it. Here are some suggestions:

1. Keep the Trash or Recycle Bin empty. (For Recycle Bin, right-click the Bin and choose Properties, Global. Lower the percentage of your hard disk space set aside for the Bin to 4% or less).
2. Review all files on your disk and delete any that are no longer needed.
3. Delete any old software programs, or remnants still lingering of versions you’ve replaced, that you’re absolutely sure you don’t / won’t use any longer.
4. Move old, large and backup files to an external storage medium (CD, Zip disk, etc.). You should be doing this anyway as a means of backing up files.
5. Compress or zip large files that you want to leave on the hard disk.
6. Delete temporary files that are automatically created in the background. (Do a file search for “temporary,” “TMP” or “TEMP”).
7. Clean out all e-mail boxes / folders of unneeded / junk messages and / or attachments.
8. Empty your Internet browser’s cache (found in Preferences).

Word of caution: Don’t delete files you haven’t created if they aren’t familiar to you. They could be operating system or program files that are necessary for your computer’s operation.