Windows 10: Disk Cleanup Windows 10 killed my computer

Used disk cleanup including system files (crazily assumed it wouldn't delete anything important!). Now its like I'm running a 286SX processor with 10MB of RAM.


Have Windows 10 64-bit, Pentium Dual-Core CPU T4400 @ 2.20GHz, 4.0GB RAM Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family on a Dell Inspiron Laptop. Have stopped Windows 10 updates since this machine meant to run Windows 7


Ran fine (not powerful enough to run anything "New" with ANY intense graphics) before now, but takes MINUTES to register the movement of the "nib" in an older M.S. Word document. I mean LITERALLY sits there doing NOTHING when try to type anything, or Press "Back" button in Internet Explorer or Firefox, double click on an image to pull it up, etc.


Is there ANY WAY to restore this computer to AT LEAST the abilities of a 10 year old computer?!!! (THANKS Microsoft for Disk Cleanup that DESTROYS computers!!!)

:)

 

disk cleanup

Hi joysoder, to properly and safely delete any files not required by your system, run Disk Cleanup twice as explained below. Each time select everything in the list and delete them. Disk Cleanup will not suggest deleting anything that is not safe to delete
. . .

Open File Explorer

Click on your hard drive

On the Manage Tab, click Cleanup

Let Disk Cleanup do its initial scan

Select Everything in the list and choose Delete

Start Disk Cleanup again

Let Disk Cleanup do its initial scan

This time in the resulting dialog, click 'Cleanup System Files'

Let Disk Cleanup run another scan

Select Everything in the list and choose Delete

 

Disk cleanup not working on Windows 10.

Hello David,



Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We regret the inconvenience caused and will assist you in resolving the issue.



Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• What is the exact error message you are getting?
• Are you trying to delete the temporary files or system files using
  Disk cleanup?

Disk cleanup is used to delete the un-wanted and un-necessary temporary files located in your PC. However you can also use Disk cleanup to delete system files on the PC, which is not recommended as it might cause system
performance issues on the PC.



When performing Disk Cleanup, checking the appropriate options is necessary so you do not delete the restore points present in the system.



Refer to the steps from the link below on Disk cleanup in Windows 10 and check if it helps:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-10/disk-cleanup-in-windows-10



If the issue persists, is suggest you to close all the system windows which is kept open on the desktop and check if the Disk cleanup method works.



Write to us with the answers to the above questions and the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.

 

Disk Cleanup not working on Windows 10

Hi Ron,

There are instances that the Disk Cleanup won't run. This may be due to system file corruption or possible that Windows is having issues deleting the temporary files. For us to sort this out, I suggest that you run an SFC scan. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Windows key and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. In the command prompt window, type in sfc /scannow and hit
   Enter.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Restart or reboot your computer after the scan.
5. Try running the Disk Cleanup again.

In case the issue persists, then please perform a clean boot for us to determine whether or not this behavior is triggered by a third party software or application. For the detailed steps, please look for
How to perform a clean boot from the link
How to perform a clean boot in Windows and follow the steps for
Windows 10. Make sure to tick Hide all Microsoft services before disabling all other services.

Once the troubleshooting is finished, then start your computer normally. You may check out Reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting and follow the steps for Windows 10.

Please update this thread with the result so I'll be able to assist you further.

Regards.