Checking for Free Space

The first check to make, when you computer is running slow, is to see how much free space you have in your computer. If you don't have enough you will not be able to install new programs, save your work or, in extreme cases, your computer may stop functioning as it requires space to store temporary files whilst it is running.

1. Double Click (with the left mouse button) on the "My Computer" icon. A window will open showing your drives (as well as a few other icons).

2. The icons which appear in this window represent hard-drives, floppy drives, CD-ROMS and similar devices.
The main system drive (usually labled "C") is the most important drive on your system (quite often the only drive).
To check for free space click once with the RIGHT mouse button on the "C" drive icon and a drop down menu will appear (shown below).

3. Select "Properties" and click the left mouse button and window will appear (similar to below)

The pie chart shows easily what percentage of your drive you have available (the pink part). Above the chart are the figures. If you are not planning to install any new software, and even if you are happy with the way your computer is set up, 100MB of free space should be the absolute minimum you should have.
If there is less free space it is time to start considering either Removing some programs or purchasing a larger hard drive.

4. When you have finished click "OK".