Deleting files from

ultrarunner2020 · 04 May 2020

Hey guys;
I seem to have a bit of an OCD issue with deleting unnecessary files from my computer, even though I have plenty of space on the drive.
My system is Windows 10 Pro - latest build.
I have Windows installed on a 500GB SSD partition.

I have periodically deleted the files in the C:\Users\<myusername>\Local\Temp.
Sometimes after doing this, I lose my Quick Launch icons, and some apps need to re-initialize before being run.
I have had the problem with apps re-initializing mostly with older 3rd party apps, not Microsoft apps.

So, I guess it's not ok to delete the files in the temp folder.
I have switched to using the native Disk Cleanup tool, but I've been reading some good things about CCleaner. I've never trusted 3rd party cleaner utils, although my go-to registry editor is Registrar registry manager. I have been using it for a long time.
I understand that messing with the registry can be dangerous, but I have had enough experience with it so I no longer have a problem with breaking Windows when I do clean out entries from apps I no longer have installed.

What are your recommendations? Should I just leave the temp files (and the registry) alone, and let Windows do it's thing? Or are there some files that should be removed regularly?

Thanks
Ultrarunner

dalchina · 04 May 2020

Hi, best leave the registry well alone, unless you have a very specific and focussed issue that can't be dealt with any other way. Then make sure you have a backup before making any changes - don't rely on System Restore as restoring doesn't always complete successfully.

CountMike · 05 May 2020

Beside Disk cleanup, you could also use DISM
In Command prompt (as admin) just type or copy this line:
dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /ResetBase
I also use UnCleaner Download UnCleaner - MajorGeeks which is very safe and on some occasions, specially after updates or program (un)installation removes 100 or more Megabytes of useless junk.

Callender · 05 May 2020

FYI:

See first item here:

CCleaner.com - Changing advanced settings