lost disk space for system backup

@allend66 - How big is your windows\winSxS ?

Most of the stuff in there is hard links to files that also have links elsewhere - eg the Driver Store in System 32.

WindirStat and everything else I know (including windows - see folder properties) will count each hard link as consuming real space, so a 50K file with 3 links will apparently consume 150Kb, where as in reality its only consuming 50K. My WinSxS is reported as being 6.5GB big, in reality it's probably closer to 6.5MB small.

pjd

@ whs - tried that thanks, but it throws this error at me. ( "unexpected error " )

@ pjd - Windows tells me its 6.2Gb. WindirStat tries to analyse it but doesn't get anywhere. If I try to minimise the window --> Not Responding.

@ whs, chkdsk confirms I have 61540628KB in 11 files, but I only have the one 50Gb truecrypt file (52428800KB). I imagine it's also counting system volume information and $RECYCLE.BIN and their contents, but as I have said, system restore is turned off - and never been on on this new laptop, and I have run CCleaner ( interestingly, after I ran CCleaner then reran chkdsk, it gave me 61540632KB in 12 archives). State of play: Still missing 8.5Gb, and confused.

It's not the end of the world, I can live with it, obviously would prefer to solve it but...

richc46 said:

Download windirstat and see for yourself
Ill get the link
WinDirStat - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

After you get to the segments on the HD, either click or put cursor (forget which) to get more information
Dont forget the worst case scenario.
Run anti virus scan
Download and scan with Malwarbytes, update before you scan

I may have missed it but I didn't see Windows 7 in the supported OS list?

thanks - looks usefull