HardDisk Problem


  1. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 64bit
       #1

    HardDisk Problem


    I have a 210GB Hard drive and apparently i only have 16GB of space left. This didn't look right to me so i went into my Cdrive and checked the size of each folder and added them up on a calculator. Not counting folders that were a few MB or KB the calculator told me i have only used approximately 146GB of space. I ran a defrag and cleanup only a few days ago. So what's going on?

    Here are the folders in my C drive:

    Program Files = 2GB
    Program Files (x86) = 70GB
    Windows Folder = 23GB
    Users = 44.6GB
    SwSetup = 6GB
    Temp = 0 bytes
    PerfLogs = 0 bytes
    Intel = 604KB
    inetpub = 188KB
    IExp1.tmp = 0 bytes
    IExp0.tmp = 0 bytes
    Games = 126MB
    col1832 = 2.16MB
    ATI = 248MB
    AMD = 3.87
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 284
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       #2

    Are you counting hidden and system files?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    No, how do i unhide them?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,996
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #4

    Organize > Folder and search options > View > Show hidden files, folders, and drives
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       #5

    1GB is actually 1024MB, not 1000MB so if we divide 210GB by 1024MB the true size of your drive is 205GB and not 210GB so that takes care of 5GB straightaway.

    As far as I'm aware, Windows allocates 15% of your hard drive space for shadow storage, which in your case would be around 30GB so now we've taken care of 35GB.

    A ruthless disk cleanup can regain a big chunk of drive space as can any backup folders or anything in the Windows.old folder depending on how your system was installed.

    And then of course there is any space taken up if you've chosen to unhide hidden and system files.

    You can, if you wish, reduce the shadow storage space for restore points to a minimal amount by use of this command prompt: Vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=C: /On=C: /MaxSize=1GB Just press Enter to run the command.

    To open the command prompt window it's Start>Type cmd in the search field>right-click cmd under Programs and choose Run as Administrator>accept the UAC prompt then type the command and press Enter to run it.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    seavixen32 said:

    You can, if you wish, reduce the shadow storage space for restore points to a minimal amount by use of this command prompt: Vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=C: /On=C: /MaxSize=1GB Just press Enter to run the command.

    To open the command prompt window it's Start>Type cmd in the search field>right-click cmd under Programs and choose Run as Administrator>accept the UAC prompt then type the command and press Enter to run it.
    What are the disadvantages of doing that?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       #7

    The main and only disadvantage is that you reduce the number of restore points available to you.

    System restore is allocated an amount of disc space to take snapshots (restore points) of your system at such times as you install updates, drivers and suchlike.

    When this drive space is filled up the oldest restore points are deleted so if you reduce the drive space, restore points are deleted quicker, which can hamper efforts to restore your system to an earlier time.

    So the payback for regaining disc space is that repair by system restore is diminished.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 110
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    How many restore points would 1 GB give me?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7,730
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
       #9

    It really is difficult to say as it varies by user depending on how a system is used, how many programs are installed, and how much data is stored on the system.

    Suffice to say it wouldn't give you many compared to the default 15% of say a 500GB drive, which would equate to 75GB.

    If you're really concerned about the loss of restore points, then perhaps you should consider buying a bigger hard drive and not reducing the shadow storage space. Only you can decide that one.
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    You want more System Restore points to bail yourself out of problems which may not surface until later. I set all installs to 20% which is variable according to HD space used. System Protection - Change Disk Space Usage

    Best to get another HD or external to move some files off, run CCleaner regularly.
      My Computer


 

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