Hard Disk Space Utilization

A hard disk consumes a great deal of data, with applications and files being added, removed and reorganised all the time. Space quickly gets consumed, files become disorganised and the computer consequently takes longer to find the information it needs.
Unless the disk is kept in shape, there will be surely a condition that affects the PC's performance.

There are two items which consume the hard disk space maximum:-

1]system restore snapshots and

2]temporary internet files.

Here comes the utility of Disk cleanUp tool.

To remove all restore points except the most recent restore point, follow these steps:-

1.Click Start, and then click My Computer.

2.Right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, and then click Properties.

3.Click the General tab, and then click Disk Cleanup.

4.Click the More Options tab, and then under System Restore, click Clean up.

5.Click Yes to remove all but the most recent restore point.

6.Click OK, click Yes to proceed with this action, and then click OK.

Other things to be cleaned up by this tool are:-

•Remove temporary Internet files.

•Remove downloaded program files. For example, ActiveX controls and Java applets that are downloaded from the Internet.

•Empty the Recycle Bin.

•Remove Windows temporary files.

•Remove optional Windows components that you are not using.

•Remove installed programs that you no longer use.

Re:-Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310312