GrinchyNet

1. Introduction

Have you ever wanted to know why it takes so long for Windows XP to load? Well windows xp installs a second copy of everything that it thinks is "IMPORTANT" :-), but some people never really need any of this stuff in the first place (an ex. window thinks that the game msharts is a critical system file). Well if you are low on space and want to clear out a few things but you need about everything that is installed then this tutorial is for you. Note: This will clear up about 450mb of space~

2. Setting Up

The first thing you will need to do is, is open up My computer. You can do this by going to "Start -> Mycomputer" if you use the classic style it should be located on your desktop. In the menu bar of My Computer click on "Tools -> Folder Options" click on the "View" tab you will see a bunch of check boxes and things of that nature but what you want to look for is "Hidden files and folders". Their will be two(2) radial option for you "Do not show hidden files and folders" and "Show hidden files and folders" the Show hidden files and folders is the one you want the to mark. Then the second one under that you will see a check box that says "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" uncheck this and windows will bark at you but just click "Yes". Now just click "OK". There, you‘re all set up to start clearing out the space.

3. Making Space

Now that you have ever thing set up, you are ready to start making the space that you need. Open up "MyComputer" if it's not already open. Locate the drive that Windows is installed on (ex. Local Disk C:) you may see some shadowed folders don't worry about those Windows needs most of them. Open either "WINDOWS" or "WINNT" (depends on OS version). Here you will want to find a folder "system32" this folder will not be shaded. Open that up and locate "dllcache" the file name will be in blue text. In that file you will notice a few files that you might notice if you want to get the most out of the space, in the menu bar go to "Edit -> Select all" then if your right handed use the left mouse click, and if your left handed use the right. Now hold "Shift" on the keyboard, and select "Delete".

If you don't wish do delete all the files in the directory, you can take your time and go and delete just the files that you don't need. Or you can write a batch script that will do it for you. ex.

~START~
@ECHO OFF
DEL *.exe
~END OF FILE~

Now save this file in the "dllcache" as "dllcacheclear.bat" and run it, it will delete all files that have a .exe extension.

ENJOY