| Setting |
Description |
| Document History |
This is a list of files that you recently opened. You see this list when you click Start and point to Documents. This option does not delete the files themselves. It only erases Windows' "memory" that you recently opened the files. |
| Find/Search History |
This is a list of files or other information you have searched for on your computer. You see this list when you enter information into the search text boxes. Your computer stores recent searches and displays them when you start entering a new search that starts with the same characters. You access the search (also called find) from Windows Explorer or your Start button. This option does not delete any of the searched for files themselves. It only erases Windows' "memory" of what you recently searched for. |
| Media Player |
If you use the Windows Media Player, this is the list of files you have recently opened using Media Player. You see this list on the File menu in Media Player. This option does not delete the files themselves. It only erases Windows' "memory" that you recently opened the files. |
| Memory Dump Files (XP) |
(Applies only to Windows XP.) This option deletes the memory dump files (memory.dmp) that Windows creates when you receive certain Windows errors. The file contains information about what happened when the error occurred. |
| MS Download Temp Folder |
This is the folder (msdownload.tmp) where Microsoft stores temporary files for Windows updates and service packs. Once you install the update or service pack, you no longer need these files. This option deletes that folder. |
| Recycle Bin |
These are all of the files you have deleted using Windows Explorer. When you delete a file, it is stored in the Recycle Bin until you empty it. This option deletes all files from your Recycle Bin. |
| Registry Streams |
This is information about recent changes you made to the Windows registry. This option does not delete the registry changes themselves. It only erases Windows' "memory" that you recently made the changes. |
| Run History |
This is a list of commands that you recently entered into the Run window. You see the Run window when you click Start, then Run. This option does not delete the commands themselves. It only erases Windows' "memory" that you recently used the commands. You must restart your computer after running a wash to completely wash the Run text box. |
| Disk Error Checking Temp Files |
These are files that Windows ScanDisk program (Windows 95 and 98) or the error-checking program (Windows 2000 and XP) creates. These files do not normally contain data you need, and their file names end in .chk. This option deletes all .chk files. |
| Start Menu Click History |
(Applies only to Windows XP.) This is a list of shortcuts to programs that you recently opened using the Start menu. This option does not delete the programs themselves. It only erases Windows' "memory" that you recently opened the programs. |
| Start Menu Order History |
(Applies only to Windows XP.) This is the order that programs and documents are listed on your Start menu. You sort the programs and document lists alphabetically by right-clicking the list of programs and documents and selecting Sort by Name. This option does not delete any of the programs or files themselves. It only erases Windows' "memory" of the sort order you changed. |
| Paging (Swap) Files |
(Applies only to Windows XP.) This option clears the paging file (also called a swap file) that Windows uses to store parts of programs and files that do not fit into memory. |
| Temp Folder |
These are files stored in your computer's default temporary folder. This folder is usually C:\Windows\Temp (Windows 95 and 98), C:\WINNT\Temp (Windows NT and 2000), or C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Temp (Windows XP). This option deletes all files and folders in the temporary folder, but it will not delete any files that are in use by an open program. You should not put any files here that you need to keep. The files in this folder can take up a lot of space on your hard drive. |
