I’ve been using the same hard-drive(s) in my last three PC’s – moving them from one PC to another, and installing updated windows versions over top of previous installations. The current HD started with 98, then 98SE, then ME, then XP, now XP-PRO SP2. Each installation seems to leave old files and folders containing now useless (and/or unused) files, which clutter up my HD and which are difficult to remove because I’m not sure which files may be needed. FYI, my system reflects the software junkie that I am – and contains hundreds of programs covering many functional categories in which I work – databases, text processing, graphics, paint/draw, video and video editing, desktop publishing, not to mention assorted up-and-download, file sharing and networking programs.
The basic windows add/remove programs doesn’t work anymore, nor does Norton/Symantec remove, nor does TuneUp2006. Any suggestions as to how I can remove these unnecessary programs/files to free up hd space? I’ve also looked at many of the directories by date, and have thought about deliting prior to a specific date- but when I have tried that I invariably get an error message that windows is using one of the files and cannot delete it.
Appreciate any assistance.
Tnx
Allen
