Jose is experiencing performance problems with his notebook computer that he purchased a year ago. Upon discussing this issue with him, you learn that he has never deleted any temporary files since…

The correct answer is C. Use the Windows Disk Cleanup utility. Windows Disk Cleanup (option C) is the correct choice because it's specifically designed to safely remove temporary files, cached data, and other unnecessary files that accumulate over time - directly addressing Jose's problem with minimal risk and effort. A (Reformat hard…

Network Hardware and Operating Systems

Question

Jose is experiencing performance problems with his notebook computer that he purchased a year ago. Upon discussing this issue with him, you learn that he has never deleted any temporary files since owning the device. What can Jose do to fix this problem most efficiently?

Options

AReformat his hard drive.
BUse the Windows chkdsk utility.
CUse the Windows Disk Cleanup utility.
DBack up his computer and delete the active partition.

How the community answered

(59 responses)

A
3% (2)
B
2% (1)
C
90% (53)
D
5% (3)

Explanation

Windows Disk Cleanup (option C) is the correct choice because it's specifically designed to safely remove temporary files, cached data, and other unnecessary files that accumulate over time - directly addressing Jose's problem with minimal risk and effort.

A (Reformat hard drive) is overkill and destructive - it wipes everything and requires a full OS reinstall, which is never the "most efficient" fix for a temporary files issue.
B (chkdsk) checks the disk for errors and bad sectors, not accumulated junk files - it solves a different problem entirely.
D (Back up and delete active partition) is the most extreme option possible and completely unnecessary for this scenario.

Memory tip: Think of Disk Cleanup as a "digital janitor" - when a PC slows down from clutter (temp files, recycle bin, caches), the janitor cleans it up without touching your real data. If the question mentions accumulated files and asks for the safest, most efficient fix, Disk Cleanup is your answer.

Topics

#Windows Disk Cleanup#Temporary Files#Performance Optimization#Storage Management

Community Discussion

Samuel O.Jan 23, 2026

C is your answer. Disk Cleanup is built exactly for this situation, it scans and removes temp files, browser cache, and other low-risk junk in just a few clicks, which is far less destructive and time-consuming than reformatting or messing with partitions over what is essentially a cluttered drive.

Toby R.Jan 16, 2026

C is the right call here, Disk Cleanup is exactly what it is for, lets you clear temp files, recycle bin, downloaded program files, all without nuking your data or running a filesystem repair tool like chkdsk which is for errors not clutter. Quick question though, did your exam phrase it as "most efficiently" and did that help you rule out the reformat options pretty fast, or did any of the distractors give you pause?

Ola B.Jan 19, 2026

Disk Cleanup is the right pick, though on modern Windows you will also want to hit Settings, System, Storage Sense for the deeper temp file stuff that Disk Cleanup misses.

Ola B.Jan 2, 2026

C is the move here, and the reasoning is straightforward once you think about what the question is actually describing. Temp files pile up over time and eat disk space, which tanks performance, and Disk Cleanup is the built-in Windows tool designed exactly for that job, no reformatting or partition work needed. Chkdsk is for checking file system integrity and fixing disk errors, not clearing out junk files, so that one is a trap if you are not careful. Reformatting or deleting the active partition would wipe everything, which is way more destructive than what the situation calls for. I actually had something almost identical on my real exam and I almost second-guessed myself toward B because I had just been labbing with chkdsk the week before. What saved me was remembering that chkdsk fixes errors, it does not reclaim space from accumulated clutter. If you have a spare Windows machine or even a VM sitting around, spin it up, let some temp files accumulate in C:\Windows\Temp, then run Disk Cleanup and watch what it finds. Seeing that list of junk it offers to remove makes the distinction stick way better than just reading about it.

Prof. SaraJan 18, 2026

My eye jumped to B first because chkdsk sounds like a performance fix, but the question gives you the key clue right in the stem, Jose has never deleted temporary files, and that points you straight to Disk Cleanup, which is the tool built exactly for reclaiming disk space from accumulated temp files, cache, and system junk without touching the partition or filesystem structure. Reformatting and deleting the active partition are both sledgehammers when you need a scalpel, and chkdsk repairs file system errors, not bloat.

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Full 1D0-61C Practice