Question: Im using XP and I like to clean and defrag my hard drive alot to make sure things are kept up to clean. But now when I click on the clean disk, it just sets there and never runs.for me.

It’s the cleanmgr.exe program. I checked to see If I could have made a short cut to a wrong program, but nope – it was cleanmrg.exe.

The first screen comes up with the 3 little progression bars on it, but then I let it set there for about 12 hours and it still the same thing. It never changes. Where can I go and get a clean copy of the cleanmgr.exe?
– Mike

Carey’s Answer:

Hi Mike,

The first time you run cleanmgr, it may go through and compress old folders by zipping them. This can take a ‘long’ time if you have a bunch of old folders.

If you want to get full access to all the cleanmgr options, in the run window or at a cmd.exe prompt type “cleanmgr /sageset:9” (the number on the end is semi-arbitrary — set of items to modify). On that list you will see a bunch more options than you normally see. What you see will only save the options you want to use. You can check the items you want and not check the .zip option. Then to run with those options use “cleanmgr /sagerun:9.” If you want to do the “zip” at some point, run it with a different set and go away and leave your computer for a while — maybe overnight. If you have a large disk with old files and slow processor, it could take a while.

After the first full pass, you should be able to just use “cleanmgr” with no options. Since not that many folders will turn “old” between runs.
See if that helps your problem.

Carey

Carey Holzman owns and operates Discount Computer Repair (602-527-9723) in Phoenix, Arizona, where he offers repairs, upgrades, custom built PCs and network wiring at highly competitive pricing. His networking tips have appeared in David Strom’s book, The Home Networking Survival Guide (McGraw/Hill), and his own book on PC maintenance is currently available at local book stores, amazon.com or directly through him. His free informative web site can be found at http://www.careyholzman.com. Donate $30 to help maintain his site and you’ll get a free autographed copy of his book. Carey can be reached directly at carey@careyholzman.com.

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