What are Junk Files, how did I get them, and what problems can they cause?
  
Your hard drive is the physical magnetic storage device that holds the entire Windows operating system and all of your important files.

Through normal use of your computer, your hard drive can become cluttered with hundreds - if not thousands - of Junk Files. These Junk Files are created by Windows and other programs that write temporary files to your hard drive which they need to do in order to work. The problem is often times these Junk Files are left on your hard drive - even after they are no longer needed - and waste valuable disk space.

Your hard drive has a limited amount of space (the space varies depending on the size of your particular disk). If you run out of hard drive space, your computer will not operate properly and may lockup, crash, or even fail to boot. For example, a lockup or crash could occur as Windows and other programs attempt to write their temporary files - as well as other data files - to your hard disk but there is no more room left.

In addition, the more files you have on your hard drive, the more time it can take to access files. This is part of the reason the more data you have on your hard drive, the slower it is typically.

Removing the Junk Files can reclaim hundreds of megabytes of valuable space on your hard drive. This gives you more room for new programs as well as your data files (such as Word Processing, pictures, and movies) and helps avoid potential computer problems caused by low - or no - disk space.

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How do I know if my computer has Junk Files?

Simply use Disk Cleaner to scan your computer.

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What is Disk Cleaner?
  
Disk Cleaner is easy-to-use software that scans, identifies, and deletes the detected Junk Files from your computer's drive.

Disk Cleaner:

• Helps prevent potential computer problems caused by low - or no - disk space. Your hard drive has a limited amount of space (the space varies depending on the size of your particular disk). If you run out of hard drive space, your computer will not operate properly and may lockup, crash, or even fail to boot. For example, a lockup or crash could occur as Windows and other programs attempt to write their temporary files - as well as other data files - to your hard disk but there is no more room left.

• Helps you reclaim hundreds of megabytes of valuable space on your hard drive. This gives you more room for new programs as well as your data files (such as Word Processing, pictures, and movies) and helps avoid potential computer problems caused by low - or no - disk space.

• May optimize your system performance. For example, accessing files and folders becomes simpler and faster because there are fewer files to search through to find a given file or folder.

Features:

Disk Cleaner scans selected drives for Junk Files while applying configurable exclude paths, include filters and exclude filters.

Safety:

• Disk Cleaner, by default, deletes Junk Files and sends them to the Window's Recycle Bin. This allows you to recover a file using the Recycle Bin's Restore feature if you need to.
    
• Disk Cleaner is designed to allow you to skip entire paths - such as the Windows system path (e.g. "C:\Windows\System32\") - using the "Exclude Paths" feature.

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Why do I need Disk Cleaner?

Cleaning your computer's drive is an important part of computer maintenance and will help to keep it running like new.

For the same reason it is important to change the oil in you car to protect your engine, it is important to clean your drive to optimize its performance.

The benefits of using Disk Cleaner include:

• Helps prevent potential computer problems caused by low - or no - disk space. Your hard drive has a limited amount of space (the space varies depending on the size of your particular disk). If you run out of hard drive space, your computer will not operate properly and may lockup, crash, or even fail to boot. For example, a lockup or crash could occur as Windows and other programs attempt to write their temporary files - as well as other data files - to your hard disk but there is no more room left.

• Helps you reclaim hundreds of megabytes of valuable space on your hard drive. This gives you more room for new programs as well as your data files (such as Word Processing, pictures, and movies) and helps avoid potential computer problems caused by low - or no - disk space.

• May optimize your system performance. For example, accessing files and folders becomes simpler and faster because there are fewer files to search through to find a given file or folder.

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Is it safe to delete Junk Files?
   
Disk Cleaner, by default, deletes Junk Files and sends them to the Restore feature.

This allows you to recover a file using the Restore feature if you need to.

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Should I take my computer to a repair shop?
  
If you are having problems with your computer, we recommend you try Disk Cleaner first before taking your computer to a repair shop. The reason is a qualified technician may charge you a high rate per hour for their time and cost you a small fortune.

Simply use Disk Cleaner to delete your detected Junk Files. It only takes five minutes and you may be able to solve your computer problems, if present, without the cost of an expensive repair.

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Why can't my anti-virus or firewall program protect me from Junk Files?
    
Anti-virus programs are designed to detect and remove computer "viruses."

Firewall programs are designed to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer over the Internet as well as monitor outgoing transfers of information from your computer to the Internet.

Junk Files are a completely different problem from viruses or computer security. This means your anti-virus and firewall software are not even looking for Junk Files on your computer.

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