Windows 7: 40 GB Install?

I installed Windows 7 64 bit (clean install) last night and my installation is using up 40GB of space. I have never had this happen before with a new OS install. I looked through a few folders last night trying to track down what is using all of this space and I didn't see anything jumping out at me before I decided to call it a night.



Anyone have any ideas where I should look?

Was there a previous version OS on the system before? windows.old folders ?

what are your system specs?

As Doc suggests Is there a windows.old folder?

Also the OS probably made a restore point. Large page file, hibernation, etc.

there is an app (free trial) called treesize pro. Its fast, and will show you exactly whats, what.

Ken

I did have a Windows.old folder from a previous Vista installation. I have already removed that and dumped the recycle bin. It was using far more than 40GB before I did this.

Basic System Specs:

160 GB HD
4 GB Ram
2.7 Ghz AMD Athlon 5200+ 64 Bit

I hadn't thought of a large restore point. I will check that out when I get home, and I will check out Treesize Pro to see where these gigs are being used up.

Handy program. I've used that one for a while too.

J3ff if you have a pagefile and hibernate files they could be using up 8GB of space.

haha I installed Windows 7 so many times in the last year because of the version upgrades during beta testing that I have memorized all the files and locations of files to delete upon first boot. It's a rather long list. lol

sfc /purgecache anyone? (don't do it unless you know what you are doing)

My XP computers run without a dllcache. Also, system restore is disabled. I find them both pretty much useless.

Ok. I am not sure what I can remove.

TreeSize Pro says I have a folder called 'System Volume Information' that is 41,883.3 MB. However, I can't see this folder via Windows Explorer even with it showing hidden files and folders.

It also shows 6,363.5 MB of files on the root. I also can't see those in Windows Explorer even with it showing hidden files and folders.

In my Windows folder I also have a folder called Winsxs that is 5,858.8 MB. Not sure if I need this folder?

I also have a Windows 7 folder that is 2,430.9 MB in size. Do I need this one and the Windows folder?

How can I remove files that I can't see? I am at a loss as to what the invisible files are and not sure if the other ones I mentioned are necessary.