Where has the 10gb in my C drive gone? Phantom files

richc46 said:

I have seen this so many times. It is most likely shadow copies, which can be removed by doin the system file clean up. I will try to find something in Google with picutres that may help you find the disk cleanup.

richc46 said:

Delete files using Disk Cleanup

I find it hard to understand how the button is not there. I have HP and it is clearly there, I have used it.

I agree it is a little strange that the button is not there. Could it be that because I have cleaned up the system files using CCleaner it is just not shown?

Are Shadow Copies the same as "system restore"? If so, I have cleaned these out already.

richc46 said:

No, Ccleaner should not cause that problem.

Thanks, no point going on over this until I can go home (in about 12 hours) and confirming this.

As an aside, I assume this tool would delete all system files in the C:\ drive. So, the 41GB should be reduced. Is this correct?

If so, that would still not tackle my overall problem, with regard to the 6GB that I cannot find.

Thanks but as I mentioned I already know that 41GB is being taken up by my Windows, Program Files and other related folders in C:\.

How did you find out about the 41GB. Just curious.

whs said:

Thanks but as I mentioned I already know that 41GB is being taken up by my Windows, Program Files and other related folders in C:\.

How did you find out about the 41GB. Just curious.

Went to C:\, set the preferences to "show" hidden files and folders, selected everything and hit properties. This gave me the 41GB value.

From what I can tell, the Windows folder takes up 14GB and Program Files takes up the rest (I know two of my games takes up about 25GB).

richc46 said:

Hopefully this will clear the shadow copies, but not the restore points.

In cmd prompt

vssadmin /delete

Hopefully, nothing else will be affected.

Thanks, will try when I get home. What are shadow copies (if not restore points)?

abhiroopb said:

whs said:

Thanks but as I mentioned I already know that 41GB is being taken up by my Windows, Program Files and other related folders in C:\.

How did you find out about the 41GB. Just curious.

Went to C:\, set the preferences to "show" hidden files and folders, selected everything and hit properties. This gave me the 41GB value.

From what I can tell, the Windows folder takes up 14GB and Program Files takes up the rest (I know two of my games takes up about 25GB).

This is definitely not the way to do it. Run WinDirStat and you may be surprised.