First, we need a little background on what the un-needed files are. The Windows operating systems is always making temporary files. Whenever you make a document, install a program or even play a game there are temporary files created. Windows unfortunately doesn't always get rid of these files when you complete the task that created them so we should. There are a few places where Windows 'hides' these files. Usually they are in the C:\Windows\Temp directory and the C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files directory. Some machines may also have a C:\Temp directory. We don't want to delete these directories, just the files in them. To do this, we must exit all applications that are currently running. (Yes, that means your Internet Browser also). After this is done, Click on the Start button then click on Find (if you are using Windows ME or 2000, it will be Search instead of Find). From here, we need to click on Files or Folders. This will bring up a small window with a few options on it. The first thing we need to do is put our cursor in the box besides the Named field. Here we will type

*.tmp *.chk ~*.*

Next, we need to make sure that we tell Windows to look on the C drive. To do this, we need to click on the pull down window to the right of Look In:. It may actually already be on C:. If not, click on the C:. Once this is done, click on the Find Now button on the right hand side of the window. You will notice file name appear in the small box below. This is good. Once the magnifying glass stops and the Stop button becomes grayed out, we need to click on the Edit (Almost at the very top of the window) then click on Select All. This will highlight all the files below. Now, press the Delete key on your keyboard. Windows will ask you if you are sure and just click Yes. This deleting process may take a few minutes and Windows may ask you a few more times if you are sure, just click Yes. From time to time, there will be a file that cannot be deleted. This isn't a major problem, except that it quits deleting files when it encounters this. If this happens, make a note of the file name, click ok, then press and hold the CTRL key on your keyboard and click on the file in the window. After you have clicked on the file, it should become un-highlighted. Now, you may let go of the CTRL key and press and release the DELETE key again. Once this whole process of deleting Temporary files has completed, close the Find window and then click on Start and Shutdown. Once your machine has shut down, power it back up. When the machine returns to Windows, Double Click on the Recycle Bin. Then click on File and then Empty Recycle Bin. Windows will ask you if you are sure and just click Yes. You are now done and if all went well, you have cleaned your Temporary files from your hard drive.