How to Delete Program Data

By Damarious Page

Program data is written and deleted from the hard disk drive.
i open hard disk drive studio isolated image by dinostock from Fotolia.com

Third-party software programs are as important to a personal computer as the operating system. Useful software programs installed on PCs include instant messengers, DVD players, and photo editors. As people use these programs data is created and stored on the hard drive. This excess program data not only depletes finite hard drive space, but also compromises personal security. Microsoft includes a utility in the Windows 7 operating system that helps to remove program data.

Click on the Windows orb logo at the bottom of the desktop to show the Start menu. Type "Disk Cleanup" in the search box at the bottom of the menu and press the "Enter" key to open the "Disk Cleanup" utility.

Click the down arrow to show a menu of drive letters and choose the drive that holds installed computer programs. This usually the "C" drive.

Click the "OK" button and wait while Windows calculates and gathers information about disk space. A dialog box will open once the calculations are complete.

Click the "Disk Cleanup" tab to the front of the dialog box.

Click check marks in the boxes next to "Downloaded Program Files", "Temporary Internet Files", and "Temporary Files". Remove the check mark from the other options for purposes of only focusing on "Program Data" and return to those at a later time.

Click the "OK" button. Click "Delete Files" when the message shows on the screen to confirm deletion of program data.

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