Losing disk space after each fresh windows install!

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 7
       #1

    Losing disk space after each fresh windows install!


    Hey guys,
    I like to wipe my HDD and run a clean OS install every once in a while after my computer has had a few months use. Its a 250 GB hard drive, with 233 GB reserved for the OS and related files. I ended up having to reinstall Windows 7 twice yesterday (wiping the hard drive twice) but noticed that after the second reinstall, W7 had used up more of my HDD than it had on the first install. After the first install, I had 197 GB left (after deleting windows.old). On the second time, I only had 191 GB left (again after deleting windows.old). So out of morbid curiousity I redid the install twice more, getting 188 GB remaining, and then 186 GB remaining. Why is W7 taking up more and more HDD space after each new install? Shouldn't it take up the same amount of space each time? Or are there a bunch of old windows files piling up somewhere that I dont know about?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,651
    W7 RTM Ultimate x64
       #2

    I doubt it, but possibly do a fresh install, as in full formatting the HDD, so your NOT left with the windows.old folder.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #3

    Seijun, I just posted this https://www.sevenforums.com/general-d...indirstat.html

    Take a look at where everything is on your Disk
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    @ Philf: That is something I have never done before, is there a recomended method to it?

    Also, is it normal for a computer to lose disk space like this after each new Windows install? I tried googling the problem but couldnt find anything relaated to my issue.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,651
    W7 RTM Ultimate x64
       #5

    Yes have a look here:

    Clean Install Windows 7
    Last edited by Uber Philf; 01 Nov 2009 at 18:14. Reason: Added Link.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #6

    Hi there
    another decent program to use TreeSize Free

    I've uploaded the file and displayed what the output looks like.

    If you do a clean install on a clean partition the size shouldn't change until you start adding applications -- there aren't many initial install options.

    Cheeers
    jimbo
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Losing disk space after each fresh windows install!-tree.png  
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 11
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    @ Jacee, I downloaded the program you suggested, but dont know enough about what it is showing me to tell anything usefull.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #8

    Hi Seijun
    Try the one I've attached
    You can see what the files are and how big they are
    save the output to a file,
    then if you re-install windows again compare the windows C size with the previous install.

    (Separate User data from your OS -- have say a 50 - 60 GB partition for your Windows install partitiion and use the rest of the disk for user data).

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,326
    Windows 7 Ultimate RTM (Technet)
       #9

    Format the flippin drive before you install! :)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 11
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Hey guys, it worked! Now Im back up to 213 GB remaining-yay! The ONLY thing that confused me is that based on the tutotial, I thught I would need to reinstall all my drivers myself, but after checking device manager there was only one thing with a yellow mark next to it (which dissapeared after about 5 seconds) and only a few drivers needed updating, which microsoft update solved. Did I do something wrong or did drivers only need to be reinstalled with W7 beta?
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:46.
Find Us