Avast purge of junk files

[justamel]

New to the forum and did not know where else to ask this question.

I have a laptop set up with Win 7 as the original system. I have added Linux distros. on separate partitions and use all at various times.
I have Avast Antivirus running on the Win 7 system and it periodically tells me that I have "junk files" that are slowing the system, and it wants to purge them. I am not skilled enough to check out all these files that it refers to.

What I would like to know is: Could Avast be detecting files on the Linux partitions that I have set up, and deciding that these are "junk" that could/should be eliminated?? When it runs its scan does it check ONLY on the Win 7 partition or would it be checking the complete HD?

I don't want to allow it to remove any stuff if it might be wiping out my Linux systems.

[Wiz57]

I don't know for sure in regards to Avast and what it is finding as "junk files", can only speak
from experience years ago with other antivirus/antimalware programs. Normally, these Windows
scanners check for junk files in places where temporary files are stored, like browser caches,
installer temp directories, Windows temp files and these are what they are calling junk files.
Usually it is ok to remove these, and properly written programs will store them just in case the
user decides to un-remove them later.
You could, if desired, check for a setting to exclude the Linux sections from scanning, which
would probably be the safest way to ensure Avast doesn't remove your Linux files.
Also, Avast should be giving you a listing of all junk files it is considering removing...if not,
ignore the removal suggestion and find a different antivirus solution.
Wiz

[Feek]

Hello,
my laptop also has win7 preinstalled on the hard drive.

I never used any alien cleaning programs, sometimes they clean too much .

Win7 has its own tool for cleaning the disc which should be without risk:
start -> My computer -> right click on the drive -> Properties -> General -> Disc cleanup (continue according to the system instructions - you will check only the boxes of what you want to clean)

As far as I know, Windows shouldn't see the linux partitions.

Hope it helped.