Disk Cleanup helps you free up space on your hard disk by removing files you don't need. It constantly monitors the status of your hard disk, notifies you when your disk is getting full, and provides a list of files you might want to delete. You can delete any type of unneeded file permanently, including:

• Deleted files in the Recycle Bin.
• Temporary files.
• Cached Web pages that you don't use.
• Downloaded program files temporarily stored on your hard disk.

When you run Disk Cleanup as part of the Maintenance wizard standard maintenance routine, the settings allow you to select exactly which types of files are to be automatically deleted. One option that can save a lot of space, for example, is to remove older versions of Microsoft^® Windows^® that you have held as backup. Once you are sure you won't be wanting to uninstall Windows 98 and revert to the older version, those files are merely taking up space.

When run as a separate tool, Disk Cleanup gives you even more control; it calculates how much space you can save by removing each type of file, and offers descriptions and views of the files. You can even remove optional Windows 98 components that you don't use (for example, desktop theme files).

You can also use Disk Cleanup to uninstall programs that you want to remove.

Finally, Disk Cleanup also offers the option to convert your hard disk to the FAT32 file system, which frees even more disk space by storing your files more efficiently.

When to run Disk Cleanup
As part of standard maintenance, Disk Cleanup should be scheduled to run at regular intervals, perhaps once a month, at some convenient time when your computer is not otherwise in use. See Clear up the clutter with Disk Cleanup to learn how.