Running out of space on your PC or storage device? The reason is simple: your hard drive is probably full. When this happens, you can no longer store anything on your device. The solution in this case is to clean it. How do you go about it? That’s what we’re going to find out!
Why clean a hard drive?
Before learning how to clean a hard drive virtually, you need to understand why the process matters. As you know, this is a heavily used piece of equipment. It lets you save and read your data. The fuller it is, the more likely it is to malfunction or slow down your computer and its operating system. This can be caused in particular by storage device fragmentation, unused documents, software installation files, and so on.
When you notice that your Mac or Windows PC is slow, or that your SSD or external hard drive is full, it’s time to clean it.
In addition, if you have folders you no longer use, you should delete them to free up space and help your device run smoothly. The process is very simple, and here’s how to do it!
As for physical cleaning, it’s more about the computer itself. It’s important because it lets you get rid of dust that can damage its internal components.
Virtual cleaning
How do you clean a hard drive? There are two ways to go about it: virtual cleaning and physical cleaning.
Cleaning your hard drive virtually is easy. Several solutions are available to you, including:
The Windows utility
Windows has a very handy utility you can use to get rid of unnecessary files taking up space on your storage device. How do you use it? Simply by following the instructions.
- First, open File Explorer, right-click on the partition you want to clear, and select “Properties.”
- In the Properties window of your selected partition, click the “Disk Cleanup” button. This starts scanning the storage device before proceeding with the cleanup.
- Once the scan is complete, the system offers you different types of files, and it’s up to you to choose which ones to delete.
Mac Finder
If you own a Mac, you can clear space using Finder. However, this tool is limited and generally only lets you clear caches. For a deep clean, using dedicated software is the best solution.
Using cleaning software
You can also clean your hard drive using cleaning software. How? By first downloading the one that interests you, then following the instructions it provides. There are several available, and most are free, including:
- CleanMyMac X or Onyx for Mac
- CCleaner, AdwCleaner, CleanMem, to name just a few, on Windows.
These applications have largely the same features. They scan all the programs on your computer, identify unwanted items, and offer to delete them. Cleaning software is handy because it complements all the other methods your PC provides.
Formatting the hard drive
You can also clean your hard drive by formatting it. Formatting frees up space on your storage device and erases data you no longer need. How do you go about it? The process is simple, and you can use:
- File Explorer if you’re on Windows. Once it’s open, right-click on the partition you want to format and follow the instructions.
- Disk Management, which lets you see the various partitions on your storage device. You then need to select the one to format.
Before formatting your external storage device or SSD, make sure you’ve backed up your important information beforehand to avoid losing it. If you forgot to do so, you can also contact us at Chronodisk to benefit from our data recovery services.
Physical cleaning
How do you clean a hard drive physically? This process is more about computer maintenance. It prevents dust from building up inside the case. When there’s a lot of it, dust can slow down the fans’ rotation speed and damage the computer’s internal parts, which need to be constantly cooled.
To keep your computer clean at all times, you’ll need:
- A brush and a dust cloth
- A small paintbrush
- A multi-surface cleaner
- A Phillips screwdriver
- Cotton swabs
You’ll then need to power off the computer and open it up to clean the fans, the processor, the graphics card, the power supply, and the inside of the case. If you’re not sure how to do this, call in the professionals.
Now you know how to clean a hard drive! Put these few recommendations into practice and improve your equipment’s performance.