Similar to performing spring cleaning, your computer needs regular digital cleaning. This process entails the cleansing and removing unnecessary files as this consumes much of your precious hard drive space.
Junk Files and its Sources
These unnecessary files are known as junk files and are comparable to garbage. Although it does not actively hurt your computer, it has severe consequences as it piles up. An effect of junk files is the slow system performance as hard drive space is filled with these unnecessary files and consumes excess computer memory. Most junk files are left by the Windows operating system and other computer programs during installation or even when the application or program is running. Regular cleaning of your computers is advisable. Doing it monthly, quarterly or semi-annually is fitting. The important thing is to remove those junk files to avoid difficulties, especially whenever you are looking for a particular file. Junk files may appear as a bogus file in the search results in your explorer.
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Applications for Removing Junk Files
There are many applications which you can download and use for this task. Since cleaning up the PC is a daunting task, you may choose a helper that can automatically clean your PC for you. These applications also include options for manually starting the cleaning process.
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Ashampoo WinOptimizer
Ashampoo WinOptimizer is so-called because it acts as a shampoo, by cleaning potential issues in your PC. The process will start by scanning your computer after you manually click the 'Start Search' button. The results of the scan will display three categories that include Clean Up for Junk Files, Optimize for Internet Settings, and Protect for History and Logs. A single click will fix all the potential issues, but you can also manually click the 'Details' button to view the numerous list of file names. It will also show each item with a brief description, an explanation on how the issues might be affecting the performance of your PC, and even a recommended solution.
Under the 'Modules' tab are other features which include defragmentation, uninstallation, and other tools. As of this writing, Ashampoo WinOptimizer 17 currently has a 10% discount available at their website under the software deals, but you can also opt for its Free version to try it for your convenience.
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BleachBit
An open-source and free application that you can download to free up disk space. This is a simple tool you can use for deleting cookies, clearing your Internet usage, freeing up cache, shredding temporary files, removing logs, and even discarding hidden junk files. This tool is applicable for Linux and Windows operating system and can clean many browsers and applications including Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, and even Adobe Flash. Its advanced features are file shredding, especially for users who do not want to have a recovery for their computers aside from maintaining privacy. Also, it can be useful for wiping free disk space if you intend to prepare a whole disk image of the main computer to be used as a "ghost" backup and as a virtual machine. It can also free SSD disk space, and you also have the option to reduce the backup size and its creation time by removing useless files.
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CCleaner
CCleaner from Piriform will clear off all the unnecessary junk from your PC. This is dubbed as the world's most popular PC cleaner because it is easy to install and easy to use. It can protect the privacy of the owner and can make your computer have a more secure performance as well as a faster performance. This is especially true after performing its functions that include clearing temporary internet files, system memory dumps, log files as well as defragmentation of hard drives too. This CCleaner review provides an in-depth analysis of the CCleaner tool. It also includes features, discussion of free and paid versions, as well as how to install and use the application. CCleaner is suitable for Linux, Windows, and even in Macintosh computers. You can speed up the boot times of your computers by simply accessing an easy management user interface of Startup items. Aside from making your computer faster, it can also be used for reducing the clutter in your computers. You can clear the recycle bin, broken links and permissions, temporary files and folder, and removing unuseful installed programs with just a click of a button. Simple cleaning process starts with the installation of CCleaner, tapping the Analyze button, waiting for the CCleaner to finish, and then clicking the Run Cleaner button. Assuming that you are all good and satisfied with everything that the program will erase, clicking the OK button finishes the job. Its newest feature is the Software Updater so you can keep your computer programs updated as well as reducing security risks that can compromise your applications. As of this writing, Piriform offers its CCleaner in three versions. They have the Free version with essential features. The functions include Faster Computer, which can manage the resources that application uses, and the Privacy Protection that is useful for removing any tracking files and internet browsing data. Also, with this Free version, you have the option to install Avast Free Antivirus.
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Their second option is the Professional version with a Free Trial. It is valued at $24.95 but is currently priced at $19.95 as of this writing. Aside from the basic functions, the Professional version also includes the following features:
- Software Updater for quickly updating your applications for reducing security vulnerabilities;
- Cleans Everywhere feature which is intended to clean places that are unreachable to other PC Cleaners;
- Guards Against Junk Files feature which is useful for monitoring junk files in real-time mode;
- Automatically Clears History feature that is very useful for cleaning your browser each time you close it;
- Always Up-to-date feature which is meant for keeping your browsers and operating system updated. This last feature is also present in their Free version but can be done manually.
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Their third option is the Professional Bundle version which is very useful for those with three computers. This third version is available at $39.95 but with a discounted price of $29.95 as of this writing. This version comes with all the mentioned features but also adds the following features:
- Faster, Longer-lasting Hard Drives which is the feature that includes Defraggler which is useful for keeping hard disks healthy and running efficiently;
- File Recovery feature that includes Recuva which is useful so that you need not worry about losing a file again;
- See Inside your PC feature that includes Speccy for spotting issues or even finding compatible upgrades.
The apps mentioned earlier are just some of the tools that can help you manage and clean out junk files. In choosing the right application, remember to research and read reviews. Some free versions get the job done, but paid versions entail more features. Whichever tool you select, the important point is to regularly clean your computers!
