How to delete garbage files generated by daily operations(ProgramData)

As time goes by, the system disk(C disk) and the disk on which the software is installed become less and less space, and it is not helpful to delete garbage files with batch commands. In fact, the garbage files generated by its normal operation are mainly concentrated in a few folders. As long as you know them, you can free up a lot of space in the system disk and the disk where the software is installed without any tools or commands to clean up.

Windows system starts from Vista, and there is a folder ProgramData in the system disk that pre-stores the data required for software operation. The folder usually saves data files commonly used by the software, which can speed up the software operation. However, as time goes by, more and more software prestores data in this folder, and the space it occupies increases, especially if some software has been uninstalled, the pre-stored data still exists. There is a lot of free space on the C drive, so you can ignore it, but when the space becomes less, you can clean up some useless files. Let's start by cleaning up the ProgramData folder.

How to delete garbage files generated by daily operations(ProgramData)

Garbage Cleanup 1: Clean ProgramData folder

The ProgramData folder is a folder where the software pre-stores frequently used data, which can speed up the running of software. Most of the data in it can be deleted. System files(such as "Start" menu, Application Data, folders with Microsoft, Start Menu, Templates, favorites , Desktop), unfamiliar ones are the worst to delete.

The ProgramData folder is hidden, it can only be seen when all files are displayed, just go to "Folder Options" to display all files.

Files that can be cleaned up in the ProgramData folder:

1. Software that has been uninstalled.

2. Non-system folders that take up a lot of space.

3. Microsoft software is stored in the Microsoft folder, you can go in and clean up the garbage files they generate. For example, the most temporary files generated by Visual Studio compilation are stored here, and you can delete them all.

Garbage Cleanup 2: Clean up the MSOCache folder

The MSOCache folder is the folder where Office temporarily stores the installation files. To which disk to install Office, the Office installer first copies the installation files to the MSOCache folder of the disk, and then starts the installation. For example, if you install Office to D drive, the Office installer copies the installation files to the "D:\MSOCache\All Users" directory.

The MSOCache folder is also hidden, and it can only be seen if all files are displayed.

Office installation files in "MSOCache\All Users" folder can be deleted. The author once deleted nearly 3GB of garbage files in this folder.

Garbage Cleanup 3: Clean up the AppData(or Application Data) folder

Most of the temporary files generated by the software are stored in the AppData folder. The specific path is different between XP and Win7 and above systems, as follows:

Windows7, 8 and 10 system: C:\Users\login username\AppData

XP system: C:\Documents and Settings\login user name\Application Data

The AppData(or Application Data) folder usually has two folders, Local and Roaming. The temporary software files are usually stored in these two folders. Some familiar software files can be deleted. In addition, al temporary files in the "C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp" directory can be deleted at any time.