What files/types of files should I delete when doing 'Disk Cleanup'?

[costargh]

Oh wait. WINAso isnt free?>

[Fyrefly]

Also, is it strange for my free space to be decreasing when I do a defrag?

A defrag doesn't really change the amount of free space available on a computer (except when it compresses old files maybe...).
The whole point of a defrag is to rearrange and organise what is on your computer, rather than clear stuff off.
It's kind of like cleaning a bedroom because it's gotten so messy you can't find anything anymore.

[Mao]

Though this option is often avoided, it is really very simple:

1. Backup your files onto external hard-drive, this will involve you physically going through all your personal folders and only saving the things that you'll need, unless you seriously want to save "1988 Conference on the Home Budget System.doc".

2. Insert your vista install disk (or better yet, download windows 7 RC), boot with that disk, select custom install, format all the partitions on the system drive, re-install vista, download service packs.

The results are SO much better than what you can EVER achieve from defrag and cleanup. I usually do it every 4~5 months.

[costargh]

But dont u then have to install all the programs etc? and those programs that are say like i dunno... ummm..... thinking...... drivers?

[Mao]

Which is a good thing, you can work out what programs you actually do use, and just install them (such as Office). You should have kept the install disks/files.

Here's a list I used for my most recent install:

MSOffice
7zip (.zip management)
Infrarecorder (CD burning)
Virtual Clone Drive (.iso mounting)
Windows Live Messenger
Foxit (pfd viewer)
Google Chrome (or Firefox)
Flash Player (web extension)
Java VM (web extension)

in the above list, only ONE entry is commercial (MSOffice), all the others are freeware


As for drivers, they should be downloadable from your manufacturer's website, if windows update can't find it by itself.