Guys my 1TB SATA HDD is partitioned. One partition is used for image backups & is 400Gb. On inspection I have approx 40Gb of backup images. There is nothing to be seen of stored data inside the partition.
It was about half full awhile back. But all was deleted. Yet windows shown the disc as 200Gb used. I've wiped free space with ccleaner but the 'dark matter' remains. So it should read 360Gb free rather than 200 Gb free.
Suggestions ??
Download and install WinDerStat, post a screenshot of that particular partition using it.
Also, Make sure that there are no hidden Files.
Start > Control Panel > Folder Options > Wiew tab > Show hidden files, folders and drives.
That could also be shadowstorage - although not common on data partitions. Run this command:
vssadmin list shadowstorage
And look for the right partition letter. The Allocated number is what's currnetly taken.
This is odd.......
winderstat says 38GB used (correct according to my reckoning)
System says 190Gb used.
how do we get Win7 to read it as it is = 38Gb? I think its still got recent file size in its memory but they're deleted. All is empty now.
couldn't get vssadmin list shadowstorage to run.
All is empty now .... does it mean that you deleted the backups? And, after deleting the 38 GB it cleared all the space?
Just a blind shot. Try to reset the recycle bin on that partition. Windows 7: How to Reset the Recycle Bin | a Tech-Recipes Tutorial
Shouldn't hurt even it does not resolve your probem. You will have a brand new trash can. :)
Looks like I need a quick education in Win7 accounts.vssadmin list shadowstorage
Did you run cmd as admin?
My Win7 has only 1 account, me, AaLF, as an administrator with 'no password'.
Win7 Command Prompt says I dont have correct permissions. Need to run from a window that has elevated command privileges.
If you carefully read my post above, you will make it. Has nothing to do whether you are administrator or not. Here we are talking about elevated cmd
If you want to make your life easy, right click on cmd in Accesories, go to Properties. Then click the Advanced button and check the little box "Run always as admin". Then OK > Apply. And do not forget Apply. Now cmd will always run in elevated mode. Pin it to the taskbar or the Start menu so it is handy.
Bingo !! Drive F: has 149Gb of shadow storage. Hmmm. Maybe this is the Windows Back Ups that I thought I stopped ??? Now what?
Last edited by AaLF; 20 Nov 2012 at 20:39.
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