Q82225: Removing Windows Files to Increase Disk Space
Article: Q82225
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 3.x Retail Product
Version(s):
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s):
Last Modified: 15-DEC-2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY
=======
Under Microsoft Windows, increasing free disk space provides additional storage
space for files and additional capacity for running applications.
The following files can be deleted to free disk space:
- Delete any ~xxxxxxx.TMP files that remain in the \TEMP directory when Windows
is not running.
- Delete any files that start with the characters ~WOA.
- Delete the file WIN386.SWP from the \WINDOWS directory if it remains when
Windows is not running.
- Delete the permanent swap file.
- Delete optional files from the Windows directory.
MORE INFORMATION
================
The following text provides more detailed information.
- When Windows is not running, delete any ~xxxxxxx.TMP files that remain in the
\TEMP directory.
This directory is defined as an environment variable in your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file. To identify the \TEMP directory location, type "SET" (without quotation
marks) at the MS-DOS command prompt. Windows and applications for Windows use
the \TEMP directory to save temporary work files to the disk. Untracked files
hurt the performance of some applications for Windows, particularly when they
are attempting to print.
- Delete any files that start with the characters ~WOA.
These files are Windows application swap files. Windows deletes application
swap files when you exit the associated application. However, these files may
remain on your hard disk if Windows terminates unexpectedly. You can safely
delete application swap files if Windows is not currently running.
- Delete the file WIN386.SWP from the Windows directory if it remains when
Windows is not running.
WIN386.SWP is the temporary swap file used by Windows in 386 enhanced mode
when a permanent swap file does not exist. Windows creates WIN386.SWP when
started and then deletes it upon exiting. If Windows terminates unexpectedly,
it is possible that Windows will never have the opportunity to delete
WIN386.SWP. You can recover room on your hard disk by manually removing this
file from your Windows directory. CAUTION: The WIN386.SWP file should ONLY be
removed if it exists on your disk when you are NOT running Windows. If you
delete WIN386.SWP in the middle of a Windows session and Windows is
attempting to use a temporary swap file, its removal causes your machine to
hang.
NOTE: Do NOT delete files named 386SPART.PAR or SPART.PAR. Together these two
files constitute a permanent swap file, and they should not be manually
removed.
- Delete the permanent swap file. Do not manually delete this file. Instead,
follow the appropriate procedure listed below.
Windows 3.0 and 3.0a
a. Start Windows in real mode (type "win /r" without quotation marks at the
MS-DOS command prompt).
b. In Program Manager, choose Run from the File menu.
c. In the Command Line box, type "swapfile" (without quotation marks).
Windows 3.1 and 3.11
a. Start Control Panel.
b. Choose the 386 Enhanced icon.
c. Choose the Virtual Memory button.
d. Choose the Change button.
e. From the Type list, select None.
- Delete optional files from the Windows directory.
If your system is short on disk space, you may consider deleting some optional
Windows files to conserve disk space. The following list provides more
information on files that Windows loads but are not essential to its
operation:
Filename(s) Description
----------------------------------------
*.BMP Bitmap files with the *.BMP
filename extension. Setup
automatically installs
several bitmap files for use as
desktop wallpaper.
SOL.EXE, SOL.HLP Solitaire game and help file.
REVERSI.EXE, REVERSI.HLP Reversi game and help file.
MSDOS.EXE The MS-DOS Executive.
PBRUSH.EXE, PBRUSH.DLL Paintbrush accessory, help file,
PBRUSH.HLP and its dynamic-link library.
WRITE.EXE, WRITE.HLP Write accessory and its help file.
CALENDAR.EXE, CALENDAR.HLP Calendar accessory and its help file.
CALC.EXE, CALC.HLP Calculator accessory and its help file.
CARDFILE.EXE, CARDFILE.HLP Cardfile accessory and its help file.
TERMINAL.EXE, TERMINAL,HLP Terminal accessory and its help file.
RECORDER.EXE, RECORDER.HLP, Recorder accessory, help file,
RECORDER.DLL and its dynamic-link library.
CLOCK.EXE Clock accessory.
EMM386.SYS Expanded memory emulator.
In Windows 3.1 and 3.11, optional files such as those listed directly above,
can be automatically added and deleted by running Windows Setup and choosing
Add/Remove Window Components from the Options menu.
REFERENCES
==========
"Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.0, pages 509-510
"Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.1, pages 557-569
Additional query words: 3.00 3.00a 3.10 3.0 3.0a 3.1 3.11
======================================================================
Keywords :
Technology : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311
=============================================================================
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.
Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.