Disk Cleanup for C: compress old files

Question

I have been having many problems but the current one is when i tried to do a disk cleanup for C and it gets to the compress old files part it says it cannot do it and then flips out to my regular screen.  i have a large file in the compress old files part that i want to clean up and can't.  Any ideas out there?   thanks, marcie

Monguse · Answer

How about a little more info there, such as did you do a clean install, or are there just old files? If you installed Vista using a Clean install and let it move you old XP to a folder called windows,old, you might have to change the setting on the folder (or even if this is another folder) go to the folder properties and un-check the READ ONLY box if it is checked. If it asks if you want to do this for all sub0folders say yes or pick the option to do applies it to all sub-folders. Be aware at least in XP doing this did not always work and many time I ended up having to delete each sub0folder one at a time. Let me know if this work and if not give me a bit more information such as just what your are trying to get rid of

marcie1952 · Answer

Thanks Brian for responding.  I was only doing a disk cleanup getting rid of cookies, etc.  my machine is always so slow.  i guess this must have been happening for a while because i have so many files to compress.  but as it runs through the disk cleanup it is not able to do the compress old files.  i go through programs and then accessories and the system tools and then do the disk cleanup.  i was  having problems with my kodak program it had a bunch of errors going on i have since removed and reinstalled it and downloaded updates.  also, aol has been giving me problems receiving, sending and responding to my emails.  i thought those had been fixed but i just found out someone i usually write to had her email to me blocked and she couldn't send it to me via aol.  i am not sure if all this is related.  i have windows xp home.  i don't have a lot of programs on my laptop. its mostly for email and pictures and writing small stuff so there are not a lot of extra programs on it. i was thinking of reinstalling the disks it came with and starting over because i was getting so many error messages, but now the only 2 problems i seem to have is the inability to clean up the compressed files section of disk cleanup and now again the aol program.   thank you,  marcie

dperry112 · Answer

You might also find Cleanmgr in System 32 and right click to Properties. Then click Advanced and uncheck 'Compress contents to save disk Space'

Monguse · Answer

If you are using Windows XP Home, I can tell you depending on how long you have owned the computer, XP over time collects 'computer trash' in the form of bits and pieces of uninstalled files, left over parts of windows patches, etc... Other may have their own ideas, but I when running XP like to format my hard drive and reinstall about once a year. It is a pain and you must make sure you back up all the files you want to keep, but is does the trick. Just be sure is you decide to do this to back up any importan files you have as formatting will wipe out everything on the C: drive.

marcie1952 · Answer

Thank you Monguse.  I was hoping i wouldn't have to do that, but i have been contemplating doing that.   You have just given me the second opinion. thank you,    marcie

Windows General

Disk Cleanup for C: compress old files

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