Re: Defragging a New XP Install

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

Gerry Cornell wrote:
Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp to
Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files. Also
select Start, All Programs, accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp,
More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest System
Restore point.

The default allocation to System Restore is 12% of your C partition
which is over generous. I would reduce it to 700 mb. Right click your
My Computer icon on the Desktop and select System Restore. Place the
cursor on your C drive select Settings but this time find the slider
and drag it to the left until it reads 700 mb and exit. When you get
to the Settings screen click on Apply and OK and exit.

Another default setting which could be wasteful is that for temporary
internet files, especially if you do not store offline copies on disk.
The default allocation is 3% of drive. Depending on your attitude to
offline copies you could reduce this to 1% or 2%. In Internet Explorer
select Tools, Internet Options, General, Temporary Internet Files,
Settings to make the change. At the same time look at the number of
days history is held.

The default allocation for the Recycle Bin is 10 % of drive. Change to
5%, which should be sufficient. In Windows Explorer place the cursor
on your Recycle Bin, right click and select Properties, Global and
move the slider from 10% to 5%. However, try to avoid letting it get
too full as if it is full and you delete a file by mistake it will
bypass the Recycle Bin and be gone for ever.

When you have made these changes restart your computer and run Disk
Defragmenter.



I'm not so sure you answered the original question but you've certainly provided me with some new information regarding XP settings that are, as you said,"over generous".

I didn't know I could set the size of the recycle bin. And I'm still resizing my System Restore to get it to only save about two weeks worth.

Thanks!

--
JD..
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Adding free space
    ... Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp to ... Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files. ... System Restore and remove all but the latest System ... The default allocation for the Recycle Bin is 10 % of drive. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers)
  • Re: Adding free space
    ... Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files. ... System Restore and remove all but the latest System ... especially if you do not store offline copies on disk. ... The default allocation for the Recycle Bin is 10 % of drive. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers)
  • Re: recyle bin
    ... > nothing appears in the recycle bin, ... > removed from the folder. ... This settings is found in Internet Options>Temporary ... Internet Files> Settings. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • RE: Harddrive used memory
    ... Recycle Bin, temporary internet files, and system restore all reserve decent size chunks of your drive for storage of their files. ... Set Recycle bin and temp internet files ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: recyle bin
    ... >> when a file is deleted or dragges to the recycle bin. ... This settings is found in Internet Options>Temporary ... > Internet Files> Settings. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)