Missing Space on Hard Drive

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  1. Posts : 176
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64x and 32x
       #1

    Missing Space on Hard Drive


    Hello :)
    I was just cleaning up one of my external hard drives
    and after I was done I should have had about about240GB free.
    However when I checked in the "Explorer" it shows I only have
    150GB free.
    Could someone explain how this can be and how can I get my
    space back.
    I am using Acer X391, Win 7 64x, the HD is an Hitachi 320GB Life Studio

    Thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #2

    You think you should have 240 gig free; where did you come up with this number?
    This will do a better job cleaning and it's built into Windows 7.
    Disk Cleanup : Extended
    Next I would recommend looking through your computer and removing things you don't need anymore, i.e. programs, pictures ect.
    Ccleaner is a good program for cleaning and removing things. I recommend staying away from registry cleaning part of the program. Their is two ways of getting more hard drive space.
    1. Buying another hard drive.
    2. Removing things off the drive you have.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 176
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64x and 32x
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the reply
    I cleaned my external drive of things I did need any more.
    I then high lighted every thing I had in the drive and hit properties.
    The total amount of files came to aprox. 50GB.
    The drive is a 320GB.

    Note: This if for my external drive can I use the Disk Cleanup : Extended on this ?
    Last edited by RalphG; 04 Mar 2012 at 16:48. Reason: Add Info
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 26,863
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    Aside from what Layback Bear said, could you please post a screenshot of the expanded Disk Management window so we can see what is happening. A hard drive rated as 320Gb will typically have 298Gb of useable space. If there are OEM partitions, Recovery Partitions and such, the amount of space taken up by them will not be seen as useable.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #5

    Also check to make sure your recycle bin is empty.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 176
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64x and 32x
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Here are the screen shots. Hope these help.
    And yes I did empty the recycle bin.

    Thanks
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #7

    I don't see the screen shots.
      My Computer


  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #8

    The way you are trying to calculate the space will not give you a correct result. There are 2 big areas that you have to investigate:

    1. User and system files - for those it is best you run WinDirStat. That will tell you everything abpout the files on the system.

    2. The shadowstorage - that is the place where your system restore points are stored. This space you will usually not see except with Command Prompt. Open an elevated Command Prompt (run as admin) and type or paste:

    vssadmin list shadowstorage

    Then hit Enter. Look for Allocated - that is the amount currently taken by the shadowstorage.

    Add 1 and 2 together I am sure you will get the right count.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 176
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64x and 32x
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I figured it out.
    I opened the windows defrag utility, at first it was telling me that the drive was not defragmented.
    I the ran the defrag any way and when it completed I rechecked all the disk space that was
    missing was there.

    Thanks for your help learned something new :)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #10

    Missing Hard Drive Space Solution!!!!!!!!


    Please follow this link:
    4 Ways to Delete System Restore Files - wikiHow

    The culprit is Windows System Restore / Drive protection.

    I never enabled it on my computer but windows decided on its own to reserve over 300 GB of space for restore points!!

    If you follow the steps you will see how to turn off system restore altogether or resize the amount of hard drive space that the system uses for restore points to whatever you like..

    No more helpless feeling --- Total control has been 'restored'

    The link provides step by step instructions on how to solve your missing hard drive space.

    You Are Welcome!!
      My Computer


 
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