Windows folder is 365 GB

gregrocker · 06 May 2012

Type Backup in Start Search box. Do you have scheduled backups? I recently deleted a series of those on an External which appeared to be old scheduled backups.

If not they could be Windows Update staging files that are normally cleaned up by Disk Cleanup. Someone will know for sure.

I would run CCleaner disk and Registry tabs now to clean up unneeded temporary files. It often finds 1-5gb of schmutz when I run it on a dirty computer.

Then I would perfectly organize your disk by running Puran Defrag Free Edition
Boot Time Defrag with Full Disk Check and Intelligent optimizer enabled on the Add'tl Operations tab.

windude99 · 06 May 2012

gregrocker said:

Those look like Windows Update staging files which are normally placed in the C root and removed during Disk Cleanup. Where are they located exactly?

You can copy the name and google it to find out for sure since someone else has almost always asked google before.

I would run CCleaner disk and Registry tabs now to clean up unneeded temporary files. It often finds 1-5gb of schmutz when I run it on a dirty computer.

Then I would perfectly organize your disk by running Puran Defrag Free Edition
Boot Time Defrag with Full Disk Check and Intelligent optimizer enabled on the Add'tl Operations tab.

I don't recommend the use of registry cleaners, but you can use the normal cleaner with caution. Also, go to the temp folder that is in your c: drive and right click on the temp folder and select properties. Tell us how big it is.

mickiedev · 06 May 2012

it ran the quick scan first then I ran the full scan. I'll try the malwarebytes now. Where exactly is the Temp folder I don't see it directly under the c drive is it in a sub folder of that?

FuturDreamz · 06 May 2012

What application do you have running? anything that you know would download or generate a lot of data?

I'd say to delete all of those files an see if a program complains.

windude99 · 06 May 2012

FuturDreamz said:

What application do you have running? anything that you know would download or generate a lot of data?

I'd say to delete all of those files an see if a program complains.

One thing I've learned from experience is to just leave system files alone. Only delete them throught safe programs like the built in disk cleanup. I have learned to not mess around with Windows so much. Then, I won't have to reinstall Windows a bunch.

FuturDreamz · 06 May 2012

To the best of my knowledge part of Windows creates billions of random files in the root directory, except as temporary files that you can delete no problem.

Checking my computer all I have is the following folders:
Intel
PerfLogs
Program Files (x86)
Program Files
Users
Windows

You may have folders used for some programs, but otherwise everything important should get it's own folder.

Or at least it should.

karlsnooks · 06 May 2012

To delete temp files:
WIN | type %TEMP% | ENTER
CTRL+A to select all
CTRL+D to delete your selection

empty the Recycle bin after deleting temp files.

WIN = key with micorosoft logo on top.

To remove temp files from other locations, the very best program is:
TFC - Temp File Cleaner by OldTimer - Geeks to Go Forums

whs · 06 May 2012

Those files look like some log files. Make a restore point and/or an image of the system and delete them. If there is a problem, you can always restore but I don't think that there will be a problem.

karlsnooks · 06 May 2012

+1
Agree

mickiedev · 06 May 2012

malwarebytes came out clean. I deleted the files in my temp folder which was over 100 gb, I have disk cleanup scheduled to run weekly which I thought deleted these, but apparently not. Any recommendations for keeping my temp files down, should I just run the temp file cleaner once a week?

Anyway I'm going to backup my computer and then try to delete those files in the windows folder. I'll let you know if that works okay. Again thanks for all the help!