It is very important to have free space in your hard drive just as it is important to always properly shut down your computer. Free hard drive space plays a very big and important role in the overall efficiency of your computer system. Hard drives are where information is stored in the computer and as more information is stored, the free space reduces. On the other hand, you create free space in your hard drive by deleting/removing some information. Well, let's look at this in a more feasible way.

- Speed:
People normally associate computer speed with the memory capacity and speed/processor clock. As true as this is, it is also not completely true without the role played by the free space in a hard drive. When your hard drive is jam-packed with less space, it memory and processor clock becomes weak in accurately running the software packages/programs stored in the hard drive. The hard drive is the place where all the utility packages/programs, information and every other software is kept and stored for use. So when it is jam-packed, the computer becomes slow (the overall efficiency of the computer reduces) and normally your will be prompted to create more space. You should be very wise to obey the instruction.

- Programs/Packages:
Some programs/packages demand some amount of space on the hard before they can be installed. The space they demand is sometimes even two times their own size. However, they demand this, because they are aware that the computer memory requires some amount of space in the hard drive to function properly and run the programs. You see! It is very important to have free hard drive space, and a considerable one for that matter.

How do I create a considerable free space in my hard drive when it is jam-packed?

- Disk Cleanup Utility
An Operating System like Windows comes with a Disk Cleanup Utility which you can find here: Start Menu All Programs Accessories System Tools Disk Cleanup. This utility helps you search for unused and disconnected files, and also files in the Recycle Bin, and asks for your approval to delete such files. This is very helpful in helping you take away unwanted files from your computer that is occupying space.

- Unused Programs/Documents
Another very wise thing to do is to uninstall unused software packages/programs. Do not delete them but uninstall them using their uninstall command OR by going through "Add or Remove Programs" in the Control Panel of your Windows OS. Also, you can delete unused or old document files that are very large. The whole process of this will help you create a considerable space in your hard drive needed for efficiency and easy usage.

Learn more about this author, Phronesis.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The importance of free hard-drive space?
We want to hear your view. Write now!