Windows Tips - Limit the hard disk space available for users - Part 2

If you have limited hard disk space, there are many ways you can free up space on your hard disk. You can start by removing files, such as documents, music and videos, you no longer need. You can also use a disk cleanup program to remove unnecessary files from your computer.

Removing programs you no longer use can also free up disk space. If you have tried other ways of increasing the available storage space on a hard disk, you can also consider buying a second hard drive or buying a hard drive with a larger storage capacity.

• Click Windows Start Menu
• Select My Computer to view the contents of your computer
• Right-click the hard disk you want to limit the available space on
• Select Properties
• Select Quota tab
• Click Enable Quota Management by Checking Check box
• Check Deny Disk Space to Users Exceeding Quota Limit
• Select Limit Disk Space to Change the Space Allowed
• Click Apply, Ok

Now You Have Setted Limits to Harddisk Space to other available Users.

My PC is running slow What steps can I do to fix it?

Cause:
This issue can be caused by any of the below possibilities.
1. Hard disk drive is short on available disk space.
2. Several software programs have been installed/uninstalled leaving behind bad files and/or confusing the software.
3. Data Corruption.
4. Computer is overheating.
5. Bad Hardware.

PC Solution:

Below are steps for Microsoft Windows that should help speed up the computer or determine why the computer is running slow.

Not enough hard disk drive space

If you have a hard disk drive that is 2GB or smaller, ensure that there is at least 200MB of hard disk drive space free. If you have a hard drive larger than this size, verify that there is at least 500MB of free hard disk space. This available space allows the computer to have room for the swap file to increase in size as well as room for temporary files. A temporary file is a file created to hold information temporarily while a file is being created. After the program has original file has been close the temporary file should be deleted. Temporary files are used to help recover lost data if the program or computer is abnormally halted.A specific directory on a storage medium, such as on a hard disk drive, used as a location to store temporary files. Commonly, this directory is named "TEMP". Commonly In WindowsXp, Drive(x):\Documents and Settings\Username\application data\temp. Files and Folders in the Temp folder can Delete.

Hard drive corrupted or fragmented

Run Scandisk or something equivalent to help ensure that there is nothing physically wrong with the computer hard disk drive.

Run Defrag to help ensure that data is arranged in the best possible order.

Background programs

Remove or disable any TSRs or Startup programs that automatically start each time the computer boots. Press and hold ALT + CTRL + DEL and click the Task Manager button or if you're running Windows XP it should immediately open the Windows Task Manager window. Within Task Manger, click the Applications Tab, select the program that you wish to End Task, Select the program and click the End Task button.

Hardware conflicts

Verify that the Device Manager has no conflicts, but if conflicts are present, resolve them.

Issues with Windows XP prefetch

If you have Windows XP try deleting all files in the prefetch directory. These are prefetch files and can lower system resources if loading programs no longer being used. See our prefetch definition for additional information about prefetch.

Issues in Windows 95 / 98 autoexec.bat / config.sys

If you are using Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98 and do not plan on running any MS-DOS programs from MS-DOS follow the below steps.
Click Start, Run and type command and press enter.
In the MS-DOS window type cd\ to get to C:\> and then type ren autoexec.bat autoexec.ch and ren config.sys config.ch

This will rename your autoexec.bat and config.sys and help make sure memory is being optimized through Windows.

Computer or processor is overheating

Make sure your computer and processor is not overheating, excessive heat can cause a significant decrease in computer performance some processors will even lower the speed of the processor automatically to help compensate for the heat related issues.

Specific operating system basic troubleshooting

Try running through the basic troubleshooting steps for your operating system.

Erase computer and start over

Finally, if none of the above solutions resolve your issues, it is recommended that you either reinstall Windows and/or erase everything and then start over.

Hardware issues

If your computer continues to be slow after going over each of the above recommendations it's possible that your computer is experiencing a more serious hardware related issue such as a failing component in the computer. This could be a failing or bad CPU, RAM, Motherboard, or other component.

Optimize your system for Gaming

Install computer games and running smoothly by following these tips. This how to was written with Windows 98 in mind. The tips will work on other operating systems, however you may find that the locations of the utilities are in different locations.

Disk Defragmenter
ScanDisk
Disk Clean Up
Keep Operating System Software Updated
Check Hard Drive Space
Get Rid of Spyware
Minimize Number of Programs Running
Clean Out Add-on Game Files
Shut Down Properly
Antivirus Program

Disk Defragmenter
The defragmenter will organize your files so the computer can use the files you are accessing faster, since it won't have to search as long. Run this program with as few programs running in the background as possible. I suggest defragging your drive(s) every couple of weeks, before you install a program, or after you uninstall a few programs.

Find it here: Start -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defragmenter

ScanDisk
This system utility checks for surface, folder and file errors and corrects them. Run this program if you computer was not shut down properly, creating a lot of error messages, or if programs seem to functioning abnormally. I suggest using scandisk about once a week to keep your drive(s) in top shape.

Find it here: Start -> Accessories -> System tools -> Scandisk

Disk Clean Up
You can find a useful function in your drive properties that will clean up your hard drive. It will get rid of Internet files (if you use Internet Explorer), temporary files, and files in the recycle bin. If you another browser, like Netscape, you will need to find the cache or temporary files folder within Windows Explorer to delete the unnecessary files. Delete cookies in your Internet folder. You don't need them, and after awhile you may have a lot of cookies just hanging out on your drive. Uninstall programs you don't use anymore. You're just wasting drive space, when you could be using it for something else. Do this after you delete lots of files; use the Internet for a long time, and/or at least once a week.I do three times in a week.

Find it here: My Computer -> Right Click on C Drive Icon -> Disk Cleanup

Keep Operating System Software Updated
Use the Windows Update in the start menu to keep your system updated. New security patches are always being released. Occasionally check for driver updates for your video card.Take the Drivers from the video Card homepage.

Check Hard Drive Space
Keep clutter off your drive. If you don't need it, get rid of it. Save files you won't be using for a while to a CD or DVD. Not only does it give you more disk space for new files, you won't have to go sift through so many files.

Clean Spyware
Spyware is a cookie that you get by visiting websites. Most spyware will not harm your computer, but the information that save may bother those who like their privacy. Spyware can eat up system resources making your computer run slower.
Download Spyware Detection & Removal Tools
http://rahulmg.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-is-spyware-and-malware.html

Minimize Number of Programs Running
If you are trying to play a game, surf the Internet, work on your report, read email, and listen to mp3 files, you are using to much of your system resources. If your computer is trying to run too many programs when also trying to play a graphic intensive game, the graphics will be choppy, and figures will move slowly. Whenever possible play with only the game open.

Clean Out Add-on Game Files
If game allows for add-in files, like The Sims, clean out the files you don't absolutely need. If you don't play a particular saved game, save it to a disk or CD and delete it from the hard drive. If you play The Sims, you probably have tons of wallpaper and objects that you rarely use, get rid of them. You'll be amazed by the space you'll recover, by moving saved games, cities, and other custom files to CDs.

Shut Down Properly
Always shut your computer off using the shutdown option in the start menu. If you don't you will cause errors and sometimes lose data and losses computer's life.

Find it here: Start -> Shutdown -> Shutdown

Antivirus Program
Sometimes your anti-virus program will slow down the loading and playing of games. So if you are not on the Internet, go ahead and disable it. But remember to turn it back on if you logged back on to the Internet.

How to Make Free Space in Windows Vista and Xp from Hibernation

Free disk space, by deleting Hibernation file in Windows Vista and Xp

Every time you put your Windows Vista loaded computer, into hibernation, it creates a file called ‘hiberfil.sys’. This file uses your entire physical memory and grows its size, every time you hibernate your system. Hence you may want to delete it to free up some hard drive space.

Follow this procedure to delete this file.

1. Click on Start, go to All Programs, then Accessories, choose System Tools, and then click on "Disk Cleanup". 
2. You would be prompted to choose the drive you want to clean up. Then select the drive in which Windows Vista is installed and press OK. 
3. Disk Cleanup will start scanning the hard drive and present you with a list of options. 
4. Check "Hibernation File Cleaner", and then press OK. 
5. When asked "Are you sure you want to permanently delete these files?" click on the Delete Files button. 
You will end up with some more free disk space.

Disable Hibernation in Windows Vista and Xp

If you do not use hibernation mode or your system does not support it, you may want to disable the same. Follow below steps:

Method 1

1. Log on as Administrator.
2. Start the Command Prompt and then type: powercfg -h off
3. Press Enter.

Method 2

1. Click Start > All Programs > and then right click on ‘Command Prompt’. 
2. In the context menu choose ‘Run as administrator’. 
3. If ‘User Account Control(UAC)’ prompts you to allow the action, click on Continue. 
4. Follow Steps 2 and 3 given above.

Related: