Deleting downloads to save space?

onejontwo

As I'm trying to recover some disc space I've gone into the downloads and found many items that I'm sure are not now needed, programmes such as "set up" programmes and old versions of "java" and "shockwave" etc.
Am I right in assuming that I can delete these programmes without any problems? Also is there any other way of recovering disc space safely?
I've used ccleaner to clear out temp files but this seems to only impact slightly ie. KB rather than MB.
Thanks in appreciation.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

once a programme is installed you can remove the download, it goes to the recycle bin, so if not sure, leave it there for a day or two.

Also, have a look in control panel, progammes, and get rid of any that you don't use now, you can also do it with CCleaner.

You might want to think of a defrag, also.

Coveredinbees!!!!

Do you download loads of stuff ? This soon gobbles up disc space much faster than temp files and program updates

onejontwo

How would I know which programmes to remove without causing problems?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

well, there will be some stuff that you installed, maybe months ago to try, but never use now.

What system are you on?

custardy

what size disc do you have and what space is free?
the files you are talking about a small
if you are running that tight on space you need to add more storage or delete bigger files

spakkker

Get windirstat which makes it very easy to see what's taking up the space on your hard drive.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/windirstat/

googler

spakkker wrote: »

Get windirstat which makes it very easy to see what's taking up the space on your hard drive.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/windirstat/

Seconded. It may surprise you....

John_Gray

If you can cope with numbers rather than needing pretty pictures, try TreeSize Free to show you what is using space on your hard drive.

12bdebt3

Java and Shockwave are media players. You will have downloaded them in order to watch some sort of video online. The worst thing that can happen if you get rid of all of the files you think you don't need in the downloads folder is that you may have to download them again if you need the application to go on a certain website or watch a video online etc.

P.S. Assuming you use Windows: you can safely remove software using Task Manager. Please don't quote me that it's in Task Manager because I'm a Mac user; but it's more than likely an application accessible from task manager or maybe the start bar.

onejontwo

In answer to the questions above I have a 80GB hard drive with about 40 % left free space.
I'm on XP pro sp3 .