To free disk space

• Empty Recycle Bin
• Delete unwanted folders
• Remove files from the following folders

1. "%SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Temp"
2. "%SystemRoot%\Temp"
3. Log and tmp files in "%SystemRoot%"

• Remove temporary internet files

1. In IE, Tools -> Options -> Delete Files
2. In Mozilla, Tools -> Clear Private Data

• Remove unwanted software

1. Delete their folders from "Program Files"

• Delete Service pack and hotfix backups (Do this step with caution)

1. The patch uninstall data is stored in hidden folders under the main Windows folder. If you click on "Tools" -> "Folder Options" and select the "View" tab, you can click on the radio button next to "Show hidden files and folders". Each patch has its own uninstall folder
2. To delete the service pack, follow the instructions in the following KB article - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290402/EN-US/
3. To delete the patches, follow the instructions in the above KB article using folder name as the $NTUninstallKBxxxxxx$ and the corresponding registry entry as KBxxxxxx
4. Delete the folders in the $hif_mig$ (or something similar) folder

• Reduce page file size

1. Right click "My Computer"
2. Select the "Advanced" Tab
3. Click on "Settings"button in the "Performance" section
4. Click on the "Change" button in the "Virtual memory" section
5. For machines that have multiple drives, move the page file to another drive by setting to "No paging file"
6. Reduce the initial and maximum page file size, if possible

• Compress unused folders (available on NTFS volumes - This reduces performance)

1. Right click on required folder and select Properties
2. Click on the "Advanced" button
3. Check the option "Compress contents to save disk space"
4. When prompted, select "Apply changes to folder, subfolders and files"
5. If required, do this for the entire drive if a lot of space is required
6. For non-NTFS folders, use Winzip or WinRAR for the same and do this manually

• Remove unwanted profiles

1. For Windows 2003 and XP
2. Right click "My Computer"
3. Select the "Advanced" Tab
4. Click on "Settings"button in the "User Profiles" section and delete all the profiles except your own (or the required ones)

• For users of MS Office

1. Delete the MSOCache directory
2. This is used by Office for "Install on First Use". If this is deleted, "Install on First Use" will require the Office install CD