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This is a short and quick guide to slim down your program files folder in Windows XP SP2. Here I will discuss the files that you don’t necessarily need and are 95% safe to delete (A margin of 5% error for user error and system instability). WARNING: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Guidelines

1st RULE: Backup your program files before doing some changes, this can be done by having an installer of your software’s and applications just in case a system malfunction occurs (due to different system setups, it is possible for problems to arise).

2nd RULE: Backup your entire save documents and folders containing your work documents and game save files.

3rd RULE: DO NOT apply such changes IF you have doubts in mind.

THE HUNT FOR JUNKS BEGINS:

JUNK #1 - DELETE HELP FILES: Go through your entire program files folder and locate each compressed help files and normal help files – usually has a icon. Help files usually come in 100-300kb.

EXCLUDE WINZIP’S HELP FILE (Winzip needs the help file to load itself)

In my own experience, I don’t refer to HELP files in case I need help using a particular program; I visit the web and do my research using search engines like “google” and “yahoo’s” search engine instead.

JUNK #2 - DELETE LOG FILES: Go through your entire program files folder and look for logs in “TXT” files located in program folders (/log) that perform system scans such as an anti-virus tool, anti-spy ware utilities, firewall, chat messengers and other programs that monitors user activities. Log files can range from 2mb or more.

Delete only those log files that you don’t need.

JUNK #3 - DELETE SKIN FILES: Go through your entire program files folder and look for SKIN files located in program folders that allow you to customize the graphics user interface (GUI). This can be found usually in “skins” folder and popular programs such as windows media player and winamp.

E.g.: Go to Windows media player target - C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\Skins

JUNK #4 - DELETE LANGUAGE FILES: Go through your entire files folder and look for language files located in folder of programs that supports different languages for users outside the US territory and for non-English speaking users. Delete all supported foreign language files except “english” or your prefered language. Programs such as web browsers, anti-virus, anti-spyware, dictionary, translators, chat messengers, etc. supports language files.

Tip: For a more thorough windows slimming guide, go to Neowin