Few steps to tune VMware Fusion Windows 8 installs on Mac OS

The key point is that running Windows' Disk Cleanup to remove unwanted hotfixes and potentially unneeded system-related file hives, securely.

Note that running the basic Windows Disk Cleanup utility, reached by clicking Control Panel | System and Security | Administrative Tools, or you follow this routine from Microsoft

• Open Disk Cleanup by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking Disk Cleanup.

only removed some 10 MB. It is necessary to click the Clean Up System Files button, found on the Disk Cleanup window, and ensure the "Windows Update Cleanup" checkbox is selected from within the resulting Disk Cleanup tab, to purge the Update and unneeded system files. Microsoft's cleanup program notes Windows keeps copies of all installed updates, even after newer versions are installed. The cleanup program removes or compresses those files, freeing valuable space.

Lest you think Microsoft's Disk Cleanup is simply a dumbed-down substitute for manual file trimming, think again. Most IT professionals in my experience don't recommend manually removing old update files, as all kinds of issues can arise if the wrong files are removed and Windows becomes confused. When running Windows within a VM on a Mac, it's just easier to let Windows do the work.

By Erik Eckel @ 2014 CBS Interactive.