Cleanmgr questions

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On Dec. 31, 2014, The WindowsSecrets top story was “Start the new year with a clean Windows PC” by Fred Langa. In the “Take out all the trash….” section, he talked about Windows Cleanmgr, said it still works fine with newer versions of Windows, and referenced:
“Sageset Unlocks CleanMgr’s Power”
http://windowssecrets.com/langalist-plus/sageset-unlocks-cleanmgrs-power/

The Sageset article (also by Langa) references this Microsoft article:
“How to Automate the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP and Windows 7”
http://support2.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q315246

I have Windows 7 Pro (64 bit) with a SSD drive (C:) that contains my OS, my programs, AND all my data. I use my conventional D: drive only for backup files.

I first tried following the tips in the Sageset article, accessing ‘cleanmgr /sageset:99’ using the Run command. I ran it as an Administrator. Langa says: “Note that some of the offered items may have additional options or advance settings that become visible when you click or check the item.” I highlighted and/or checked every item on the list, and never saw any additional options or advance settings. So my first question is: did I miss something somewhere?

Then I went to the Microsoft article, and opened Cleanmgr as they suggested (Start->Programs-> Accessories->System Tools->Disk Cleanup). Again I ran as an Administrator. The article says there is a long list of options which apparently can be specified, including: Temporary Offline Files, Offline Files, Compress Old Files, and Catalog Files for the Content Indexer. I cannot find any of these four options, whether Cleanmgr is accessed this way, or using ‘cleanmgr /sageset:99’, as used in the Langa article. So my second question is: are these four options available, and if so, how do I find/access them?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Harry

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I’m guessing a Windows Update or Security Fix or something of that nature has changed it up a little. I just tried it on the Windows 7 side of my dual boot and didn’t get the extended options selection.

However, I used an elevated Command Prompt instead, and got it to work as it should. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Your prompt should read C:WindowsSystem32>. Next type the commandline you’ve been using and hit Enter. A dialog box may open saying Disk Cleanup is examining your disk. Once that completes, you’ll get the extended options selection box. I suggest you not select Compress old files (if it’s offered), as that will take a very long time to run, but select any others you want.

Then click OK. To run Disk Cleanup with your options, you can either use an elevated Command Prompt and type (without the quotes) “cleanmgr /sagerun:99” and hit Enter, or you can setup a shortcut on your desktop. If you use a shortcut (I do), for location use (without the quotes) “C:WindowsSystem32cleanmgr.exe /sagerun:99”, then click Next. The /sagerun switch doesn’t show up on the next screen, but it’s there. Give your shortcut a name (I use Disk Cleanup) and click Finish.

Before you run the shortcut, Right-click on it and select Properties. On the Properties sheet, click the Advanced button. On the Advanced Properties sheet, put a check by Run as administrator, then OK back out. Now you can run it, and it should run on every disk/partition/logical drive on your machine. You can also setup a task in Task Scheduler to run it on a schedule if you like. I’m setup that way.

I’ve just checked this all out in Windows 7, and it works as I’ve described. Hope it does for you, too.[/size]

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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bbearren:

Thanks for your prompt and thorough reply. You said:

>>However, I used an elevated Command Prompt instead, and got it to work as it should. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Your prompt should read C:WindowsSystem32>. Next type the commandline you’ve been using and hit Enter. A dialog box may open saying Disk Cleanup is examining your disk. Once that completes, you’ll get the extended options selection box. I suggest you not select Compress old files (if it’s offered), as that will take a very long time to run, but select any others you want.<<

What did you enter on the Command Line? I tried several things, including 'cleanmgr /sageset:99'. What I got is exactly what I got before. See attachment. The top screen is the Disk Cleanup tab. The middle screen is the list of what is included in the 'Files to delete:' section. And the bottom screen is the More Options tab.

Clicking or checking any item in the 'Files to delete:' section still does not bring me any additional options, and I still don't see the 4 files from the Microsoft Support article that I mentioned.

It appears from your response that you are getting these, so I must be doing something wrong.

Harry

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bbearren:

Thanks for your prompt and thorough reply. You said:

>>However, I used an elevated Command Prompt instead, and got it to work as it should. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Your prompt should read C:WindowsSystem32>. Next type the commandline you’ve been using and hit Enter. A dialog box may open saying Disk Cleanup is examining your disk. Once that completes, you’ll get the extended options selection box. I suggest you not select Compress old files (if it’s offered), as that will take a very long time to run, but select any others you want.<<

What did you enter on the Command Line? I tried several things, including 'cleanmgr /sageset:99'. What I got is exactly what I got before. See attachment. The top screen is the Disk Cleanup tab. The middle screen is the list of what is included in the 'Files to delete:' section. And the bottom screen is the More Options tab.

Clicking or checking any item in the 'Files to delete:' section still does not bring me any additional options, and I still don't see the 4 files from the Microsoft Support article that I mentioned.

It appears from your response that you are getting these, so I must be doing something wrong.

Harry

The tutorial you're referencing is old, and the options in Windows 7 have changed since its publication. It isn't that you are doing something wrong, it's just that some of the things you're looking for simply are no longer there.

I'm on my Windows 7 Professional box now, and I've just run through the setup I listed in my previous post for the extended Cleanmgr options. Following are screen shots taken sequentially, going through the options screen. I've overlapped each screen shot to include the last item in the list from the previous shot, so you can see that these are all the options that are currently available in an up-to-date installation of Windows 7 Professional; 22 in all, if I counted correctly.

38900-Cleanmgr-Commandline 38901-Disk-Cleanup-Options

38902-Disk-Cleanup-Options1 38903-Disk-Cleanup-Options2

38904-Disk-Cleanup-Options3 38905-Disk-Cleanup-Options4

38906-Disk-Cleanup-Options5 38907-Disk-Cleanup-Run

After running the /sageset switch (I used 01 instead of 99, but that has no bearing on the outcome so long as the same number is used in the /sagerun switch; one may use any number up to and including 65535), I created a desktop shortcut, set it for Run as administrator, and then ran it. Double-clicking the shortcut puts up a UAC prompt; acknowledge the prompt (put in the correct password if you're running as a standard user, which I do), click Yes and cleanmgr runs with all the options you have selected on every drive/partition/logical drive on you PC. HTH

Setting up Disk Cleanup in Task Scheduler is a link to a tutorial I posted back in April, if you want to automate your cleanup (I've edited that tutorial to reflect the changes in Windows 7 we've encountered here).

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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bbearren:

Thanks for the screenshots and the details. I have 20 options vs. your 22. The two missing are obviously things you use/have done that I do not. Clearly I was trying to go into more detail than was necessary. I think I am all set now.

I have a utility, Snagit, which allows me to capture everything in a scrolling window, so I don’t have to take the multiple screenshots that you did. Attached is my list of 20 options done with Snagit.

Harry

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bbearren:

This link:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/compress-files-folder-drive-windows

Said: ‘In Windows 7, the Compress Old Files option was removed from the Disk Cleanup Utility.’

Maybe others have also been removed and Microsoft never corrected their information.

Harry

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Drew:

Thanks for the tips. They are clear.

I use an old IBM style keyboard which does not have a WIndows key–therefore don’t know how to access the Action tab you talk about

Harry.

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I count 21 for you, 22 for me, the difference being Offline webpages.

FWIW, I have Task Scheduler run the extended disk cleanup nightly.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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bbearren:

>>I count 21 for you, 22 for me.
You would think that a retired engineer could at least count correctly .

I have a few questions that came up as I went through this, and they are numbered in the following text.

First I did an Image backup of C:. Then I opened Disk Cleaner as an Administrator from Accessories->System Tools, because it gives me an idea of how many MB are in each category that it lists. I used that as a guideline when I ran cleanmgr /sageset:99 as an Administrator from the Command Prompt, following your suggestions. I was very cautious, because it was not clear to me exactly what everything did, and I never could find clear info.
1. Is there some way that I can see the number of MB that are in each category listed when I open cleanmgr from the Command Prompt? That would help determine which are not worth pursuing.

My first attachment (cleanmgr_3.jpg) is what Disk Cleaner displayed, and cleanmgr_4.jpg shows the checkmarks for what I actually ran. I did not run ‘Windows Update Cleaner’ even though it contains over 2 GB.
2. Is there any possibility that I would ever need to access any past updates, or is it always safe to run ‘Windows Update Cleaner’?

I did delete the Temporary files. The Windows Support article said that it was safe to delete these files that had not been modified within the last week.
3. Does cleanmgr check the dates of all temporary files? If not, how does one use this tool to retain any modified within the last week?
4. My Windows->Temp folder still contains about 340 MB of data. Most of these are not .tmp files, but some are (with dates going back over a year). Why are they still there?

There is a folder named ‘System Volume Information’. I searched the Internet articles, but could never understand exactly what the files in the folder are. I was never able to actually open this folder in Explorer {says it can’t be shared}, so I could not determine the size. But I have a utility, Folder Size, which does open it when I run it as an Administrator. I ran it before and after I ran cleanmgr to try and determine what folders had their size significantly changed. System Volume Information actually INCREASED by about 400 MB (see cleanmgr_5.jpg).
5. What is in System Volume Information, and why would it increase after running cleanmgr?
6. Can any of the files in System Volume Information be safely deleted, and if so how?
7. I also noticed that I have a large System Volume Information folder on my D: drive. Could that be because I have my Virtual XP-Mode installed there?

>>FWIW, I have Task Scheduler run the extended disk cleanup nightly.
Great idea, though not sure I will need to do it that often.

Thanks so much for your ongoing help on this.

Harry

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1. Is there some way that I can see the number of MB that are in each category listed when I open cleanmgr from the Command Prompt? That would help determine which are not worth pursuing.[/quote]
No, there is not. However, even in its most aggressive cleanup mode, Windows is still conservative enough to do no harm.

2. Is there any possibility that I would ever need to access any past updates, or is it always safe to run ‘Windows Update Cleaner’?

Highly unlikely. Windows Update Cleaner only removes leftovers from update packages that have been successfully installed. Installed updates also update the Component Store, which is where known good system file copies are stored as an image file. If that image should become damaged, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool can almost always repair it.

3. Does cleanmgr check the dates of all temporary files? If not, how does one use this tool to retain any modified within the last week?

It is my understanding that cleanmgr does indeed take into account file attributes in its algorithms. Although I haven’t been able to find any information anywhere to verify this, I’ve been running the extended cleanmgr (everything checked) nightly for several years, now, and I have yet to have any issues whatsoever.

4. My Windows->Temp folder still contains about 340 MB of data. Most of these are not .tmp files, but some are (with dates going back over a year). Why are they still there?

Even in its most aggressive cleanup mode, Windows is still conservative enough to do no harm.

5. What is in System Volume Information, and why would it increase after running cleanmgr?

That folder contains your System Restore points. Windows probably sets a new Restore Point when running cleanmgr. I don’t use System Restore, and have it disabled, preferring drive imaging instead.

6. Can any of the files in System Volume Information be safely deleted, and if so how?

Yes. From Windows How-to: To delete all but the most recent restore point
1. Open Disk Cleanup by clicking the Start button. In the search box, type Disk Cleanup, and then, in the list of results, click Disk Cleanup.
2.If prompted, select the drive that you want to clean up, and then click OK.
3.In the Disk Cleanup for (drive letter) dialog box, click Clean up system files. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
4.If prompted, select the drive that you want to clean up, and then click OK.
5.Click the More Options tab, under System Restore and Shadow Copies, click Clean up.
6.In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, click Delete.
7.Click Delete Files, and then click OK.

7. I also noticed that I have a large System Volume Information folder on my D: drive. Could that be because I have my Virtual XP-Mode installed there?

That may well be the cause, since System Volume Information contains your System Restore points.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Drew:

Thanks for the tips.

I have ‘Windows upgrade log files’ on my computer, and there is a warning for it.

But there is one named “Files discarded by Windows upgrade’ that is not clear. When I updated 7 Pro to SP1, is that considered by Disk Cleanup an ‘upgrade’? And if so, is this a safe one to check?

Also one named ‘Service Pack Backup Files’. Wasn’t sure about it either.

Then there is another entry named ‘Previous Windows installations’. I assume that means if I had upgraded from say Vista or XP. This was a new computer, so Win 7 is the only OS every installed.

Harry

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On Dec. 31, 2014, The WindowsSecrets top story was “Start the new year with a clean Windows PC” by Fred Langa. In the “Take out all the trash….” section, he talked about Windows Cleanmgr, said it still works fine with newer versions of Windows, and referenced:
“Sageset Unlocks CleanMgr’s Power”
http://windowssecrets.com/langalist-plus/sageset-unlocks-cleanmgrs-power/

The Sageset article (also by Langa) references this Microsoft article:
“How to Automate the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP and Windows 7”
http://support2.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q315246

I have Windows 7 Pro (64 bit) with a SSD drive (C:) that contains my OS, my programs, AND all my data. I use my conventional D: drive only for backup files.

I first tried following the tips in the Sageset article, accessing ‘cleanmgr /sageset:99’ using the Run command. I ran it as an Administrator. Langa says: “Note that some of the offered items may have additional options or advance settings that become visible when you click or check the item.” I highlighted and/or checked every item on the list, and never saw any additional options or advance settings. So my first question is: did I miss something somewhere?

Then I went to the Microsoft article, and opened Cleanmgr as they suggested (Start->Programs-> Accessories->System Tools->Disk Cleanup). Again I ran as an Administrator. The article says there is a long list of options which apparently can be specified, including: Temporary Offline Files, Offline Files, Compress Old Files, and Catalog Files for the Content Indexer. I cannot find any of these four options, whether Cleanmgr is accessed this way, or using ‘cleanmgr /sageset:99’, as used in the Langa article. So my second question is: are these four options available, and if so, how do I find/access them?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Harry

Quick instructions, you need to follow sageset with sagerun

cleanmgr /sageset:99
cleanmgr /sagerun:99

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Quick instructions, you need to follow sageset with sagerun

cleanmgr /sageset:99
cleanmgr /sagerun:99

See post #2 in this thread. It must be run through an elevated Command Prompt in order to get the full list of options for the extended Disk Cleanup, which was the OP’s question.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Bbearren & Drew:

All done. I included all items on the full list EXCEPT ‘Service Pack Backup Files’ and ‘Windows Upgrade log files’. I then used Disk Checkup to remove old copies of System Volume Information. The two steps deleted 14% of my previous used space on C: (from 90G to 79G). Also reduced my boot time about 6% (from 49 seconds to 46 seconds on my SSD). So thanks for all this guidance and hand holding!

I do have one observation (which you may already know) and three final questions.

If you use Disk Cleanup->More Options tab-> “System Restore and Shadow Copies’, and do NOT have anything checked on the Disk Cleanup tab, then once you click ‘Delete’ on the ‘Are you sure you want to delete all but…’ screen, then that screen goes away, and there are no visible signs that anything is happening! I waited about 30 seconds, and then clicked ‘OK’ on the ‘Disk Cleanup’ main screen to close it. I had to run my Folder Size program to see that in fact the old restore points had been deleted. If one does not have a program such as Folder Size, then he/she must trust it was successful.

1. Should I have closed every program that is open AND programs that are minimized before I ran sagerun:x? I have Microsoft Security Essentials, and I don’t know how to close it.
2. This is a Task Scheduler question. After going through the sageset & sagerun cycle manually once, can I go back and make changes to sageset (keeping same ‘:x’ number) and then use the Task Scheduler for sagerun, or do I have to again run sagerun manually first?
3. I used several different ‘:x’ numbers while doing my experimentation. I understand this information is kept in the Registry. Is it safe for me to remove all the related Registry entries except for the ‘:x’ number that I have settled on, and if so, where are they located?

Thanks again for all your help,

Harry

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1. Should I have closed every program that is open AND programs that are minimized before I ran sagerun:x? I have Microsoft Security Essentials, and I don’t know how to close it.[/quote]
No, it isn’t necessary to close MSE. Its old files are not in use, so they don’t pose a problem.

2. This is a Task Scheduler question. After going through the sageset & sagerun cycle manually once, can I go back and make changes to sageset (keeping same ‘:x’ number) and then use the Task Scheduler for sagerun, or do I have to again run sagerun manually first?

If you want to make changes in /sageset and use the same number that is in Task Scheduler, you don’t have to run /sagerun manually.

3. I used several different ‘:x’ numbers while doing my experimentation. I understand this information is kept in the Registry. Is it safe for me to remove all the related Registry entries except for the ‘:x’ number that I have settled on, and if so, where are they located?

It makes no difference.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

Reply | Quote

bbearren:

Thanks for the clarifications to my ‘last’ questions.

But I lied. I have a few more. I still have an XP Pro (32 bit) computer that I use from time to time with old programs that either I hardly ever use, or won’t run on Win 7. On the XP computer I have three conventional hard drives: C: {with my OS}, D:, & J:. I opened Windows>System 32 on the Command Line, and ran sageset. I was careful NOT to select ‘Compress Old Files’. But when I ran sagerun, although it passed right over ‘Compress Old Files’ on C:, it spent a lot of time scanning ‘Compress Old Files’ on D:. Plus it began scanning J:. I decided to cancel the run.

Then I went to Program Files->>>Disk Cleanup. I chose C: drive, then selected the choices that contained the most data, again skipping ‘Compress Old Files’. I then went to the ‘More Options’ tab, selected Windows Components, and chose to delete ONLY MSN Explorer. I also selected to remove all but the most recent System Restore. Then I ran it.

After all was done, I rebooted and again ran Folder Size. I had deleted about 8 GB of data. But I noticed that my mouse was acting strangely (I use some custom colors, etc). It turns out that for some reason Disk Cleanup had removed ALL of the Windows supplied .cur files in Windows->Cursors, leaving only the ones I had created. It was easy to copy them from my last image backup, but for some reason I also had to go in and change all of the entries under Customize on the Pointer tab of Mouse Properties to what I previously had, and then Save As again. Also, even though I had checked to remove MSN Explorer on the Windows Components screen, it did not do it. Strange.

My questions:
1. Is there any way that sageset & sagerun can be directed to operate ONLY on C: drive? From the links you have given me and my internet search, that does not seem to be an option.
2. If I had continued to let sagerun operate, would it have skipped Compressing old files on D: and J:?
3. Any idea why all the Windows supplied .cur files got deleted, and how I could prevent it in the future?
4. Why was MSN Explorer not removed using the Windows Components Wizard?

Since I don’t use my XP much anymore, these are not life or death problems. I just like to know exactly what I am facing.

Harry

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My questions:
1. Is there any way that sageset & sagerun can be directed to operate ONLY on C: drive? From the links you have given me and my internet search, that does not seem to be an option.[/quote]
None of which I am aware.

2. If I had continued to let sagerun operate, would it have skipped Compressing old files on D: and J:?

It has for me. I would think so.

3. Any idea why all the Windows supplied .cur files got deleted, and how I could prevent it in the future?

That’s a new one on me. I have no idea why it did that.

4. Why was MSN Explorer not removed using the Windows Components Wizard?

You will probably have to go through Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Windows Components.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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bbearren:

Thanks, as always, for your insight.

Harry

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@ bbearren – hmw is using Win 7 and the only dism /online /cleanup-image / switch that I’ve only been able to use on my Win 7 HP 64 bit is the /scanhealth

@ hmw – I think the SP1 back up files probably date back to when it was a new update should it cause any problems and may have needed uninstalling for diagnostic purposes – but I could be wrong on that.

Anyway, I’ve dumped mine without any adverse effects.

I’m obviously too late with this Win 7 tutorial for Disk Cleanup in Extended mode, but it may help others who are having problems. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/76383-disk-cleanup-extended.html

It has been used successfully by some in deleting old back ups when they’ve unaccountably lost disk space on their HDD which have been found to be the cause.

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@ bbearren – hmw is using Win 7 and the only dism /online /cleanup-image / switch that I’ve only been able to use on my Win 7 HP 64 bit is the /scanhealth

He’s using 7 Pro, and I’m using Ultimate in my dual boot. I didn’t have occasion to use the DISM tool the short period of time that I used Home Premium.

Also, in that tutorial you linked they use the 65535 number that persists from back in the early XP days. The only thing significant about 65535 is that it was the largest number that the /sageset switch would allow in XP. There is nothing ‘magical’ about 65535.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Hi,

Why not use Ccleaner instead? It’s free, easy, fast and does a little bit more than Sageset.

Oskarius

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Hi,

Why not use Ccleaner instead? It’s free, easy, fast and does a little bit more than Sageset.

Oskarius

Cleanmgr doesn’t have to be installed; it’s already there. I do have CCleaner, and over the years I’ve kept it updated and from time to time I do a comparison between the two, just to answer questions like this one.

One difference is that CCleaner gets big numbers by offering to clean out cached files, which basically means the same number of files will return in short order and repopulate the caches. The largest number of files that CCleaner finds are Temporary Internet files, which I have already set limits for through Internet Explorer, so the oldest files are going to be migrated out as new files get downloaded, anyway.

CCleaner shows big numbers, but those big numbers are more temporary than the files they delete. The numbers are going to come right back, and very quickly. I have Task Scheduler run extended Cleanmgr every evening, so the actual numbers of temporary files never gets very large.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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This thread is getting L….O….N….G !
That’s not bad, but my old eyes are getting tired, so let me jump right to the end of the line. OK?

Running Windows own Disk Cleanup program in an extended mode has been written up on just about every PC-Help forum and when properly applied is a great PC Maintenance tool. I use it daily.

I run it manually, from a Desktop Shortcut. But unlike several of the tutorials I’ve read, there are several caviats.

You can use the /sageset and /sagerun switches, but after you’ve run the program the first time, with /sageset, and selected all the things you want the program to delete, the /sageset switch can and should be removed, leaving only the /sagerun switch. Then the program will run without you even having to click “OK”.

And the Shortcut can be run from the Startup folder, for those people who absolutely WON’T turn their hand to do any PC maintenance.

A HUGE mistake so many make when using Disk Cleanup, is that they check the box next to Setup Log Files. NO NO NO!!! Don’t do that, because if you do, Windows will not be able to uninstall any program. You will be forced to use an Uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller.

It seems so counter-intuitive to have to run Disk Cleanup in Extended Mode from a command prompt, when it can be run from a desktop shortcut, or even automatically, as I mentioned previously.

The syntax for Disk Cleanup to run automatic from a desktop shortcut is:

%SystemRoot%System32Cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sagerun:65535

Good topic though…. I’m glad this thread was started.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor

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A HUGE mistake so many make when using Disk Cleanup, is that they check the box next to Setup Log Files. NO NO NO!!! Don’t do that, because if you do, Windows will not be able to uninstall any program. You will be forced to use an Uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller.[/quote]
Revo Uninstaller is the only tool I use for uninstalling anything. I don’t use Windows to uninstall—it is not thorough enough for me. Consequently, setup log files are of no use, and getting rid of them is of no consequence.

%SystemRoot%System32Cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sagerun:65535

Once again, there is nothing special or magical about the number 65535. The only thing to remember is that the number you used for the /sageset switch is the number you need to use for the /sagerun switch.

(if you had read through the thread, you would have seen that the major points have already been covered)

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

Reply | Quote

This thread is getting L….O….N….G !

A HUGE mistake so many make when using Disk Cleanup, is that they check the box next to Setup Log Files. NO NO NO!!! Don’t do that, because if you do, Windows will not be able to uninstall any program. You will be forced to use an Uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller.

The Doctor

Sorry it is so long, but searching the internet provides incomplete, and sometimes conflicting, information about cleanmgr. So I come to a place that I trust.

Now you tell me not to check ‘Setup Log Files’! Surprised that got no warning from Microsoft on it. Already run and done, unfortunately. I just looked at Revo Uninstaller. It appears that I need to buy it [though not very expensive] , since I have a 64 bit Win 7 computer. Is that correct?

Harry

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Now you tell me not to check ‘Setup Log Files’! Surprised that got no warning from Microsoft on it. Already run and done, unfortunately. I just looked at Revo Uninstaller. It appears that I need to buy it [though not very expensive] , since I have a 64 bit Win 7 computer. Is that correct?

In reality, the setup log files are there to tell you what setup did and where; they are primarily text files with a .log extension. If you’ll look in your Program Files folder at the installation folder for programs that you’ve installed, you’ll find an “uninst.exe” or similarly named file. That’s the file that Windows built-in uninstaller looks for, not the log files.

And 32-bit Revo Uninstaller will work just fine. I used it for years until I caught Pro on sale for around $14 as I recall. And I didn’t get it necessarily for the 64-bit part, it was for the extra features not included in the free version.

Here’s a recent review of the free version in PCWorld.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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bbearren:

Thanks for clarify the Setup Log Files issue.

Also thanks for the info on the 32 bit Revo and the article. By the way, the Pro version is on sale again for less than $20. They also have a Pro portable on sale for about $35.

Harry

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bbearren:

Thanks for clarify the Setup Log Files issue.

Also thanks for the info on the 32 bit Revo and the article. By the way, the Pro version is on sale again for less than $20. They also have a Pro portable on sale for about $35.

Harry

Some of the additional tools in the Pro version are quite handy. As for the portable version, I have a thumb drive with various tools that I take with me whenever I’m helping out friends or family with computer issues. I’ve got the free version of Revo on it, and just install it and leave it on their machines.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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bbearren:

When I got my Win 7 Pro with a SSD drive last year, I started putting a lot of my utilities on a USB drive, so I would not use valuable SSD space for something only used occasionally. Plus I then only have to update a utility in one place, rather than on three different computers.

Harry

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Drew:

Thanks for the link and your comment on Setup Log Files.

Harry

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Just for clarification, I’ve never heard of or had an issue uninstalling any programs if the “Setup Log Files”
has been checked in clean manager’s advanced mode.

I highly recommend Windows default clean manager for daily usage because it is so safe and benign.
Other apps, like CCleaner or Privacy Mantra, and even well made batch files, can be used on more rare occasions
where you’ll want to be more aggressive.

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I have used the free IObit Uninstaller for a while now and that picks up all programs whether they are 32 or 64 bit. http://www.iobit.com/advanceduninstaller.php

Look out for the Driver Booster PuP box to uncheck but it can still install even when unchecked and then you can use IObit to uninstall it.

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Thumb drives used to be something I didn’t really need; now I don’t know how I’d manage without them. I have two 16GB SanDisk mini’s that are no more than the connector with a 3/16″ lump on the end, and half a dozen or so SanDisk Cruzers from 2GB to 32GB.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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bbearren:

I have a bunch from 4GB to 32GB–most USB 3.

Utilities generally don’t take up much space. I have 17 on a 16GB drive, and still have 11 GB of unused space.

Harry

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…As for USBs… a 1G which, I carry about to client calls w/ ALL utilities, tools, etc, and it, still, has about 1/2 free space…

I use a 32GB USB thumbdrive which has about 16GB used of programs, WU patches, etc., I need for working on customers’ computers. If I need to transfer userdata I still have 16GB available on that thumbdrive. I also carry around in my work bag a 1TB 2.5in USB HDD which has, among other things, a “Drivers” library, and a “Programs” library, and about 500GB free space in case I need to backup/transfer userdata.

A few weeks after I first started using the first 32GB Kingston USB thumbdrive I started getting “cannot connect” errors. I checked the problem out on my PCs but did not find any resolution, so I returned the thumbdrive to my suppliers for warranty. My supplier replaced the thumbdrive on-the-spot without question. That was at least 1 year ago, and I have not since had any problem with the 32GB Kingston thumbdrive.

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Nice thing to do with your reseller. I think most of them will just have delaying tactics and all.

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