Windows 7: HDD usage

I run Windows 7 Ultimate on C: (1TB) and there is also a D: (500GB).

C: appears almost full (931GB) while everything on it would be just 200-300 GB (confirmed by a rough inventory through Windows Explorer).

What can be the reason for this? Are there any hidden files, backups etc (although I have Show Hidden Files On)?
What could be a remedy?

Hi,

I would run the Windows Disk Cleanup utility (right-click, run as Administrator) to cleanup temporary files, temp internet files, and under more options there's an option to delete all but the most recent restore point & shadow copies.

Also, open explorer and click 'Organize' -> Folder and Search options, under the view tab click 'show hidden files, folders and drives' then click ok. Now go to your C: drive and open Users\[you]\appdata\local\temp & delete all that's in it. Next go to Windows\Temp and delete all in there too


Hope this helps


OS

Trying using this tool to find out what's eating up your space. Also, try defragmenting the drive and see if that helps:

Extensions for Windows - The Unofficial Windows Upgrade

Almost forgot, cCleaner is a great little free tool that can remove backup copies of updates & drivers, known as prefetch data

This may be of help, also.
Hard Disk Space - Free Up and Recover
Works the same in Seven

In addition to what Orbital suggested, disable hibernation if you dont use it. Open an elevated command prompt (click start, type cmd, right click on result and choose Run as admin), then type

powercfg -h off

Hit Enter, then close window.

+1

I always using this free program.

Thnx everybody for the immediate and accurate support.
Restore points and shadow copies was the problem...now I have claimed my disk back

I suppose that the fix to avoid this from happening again is at the link richc46 suggested (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/0...in-vista/')?
Is there a way to see the space that is allocated to shadow copies in Windows Explorer?

This will tell you more than you need
WinDirStat - Windows Directory Statistics

I'm glad you've re-claimed your space back


OS