Windows 7 after clean install takes up 183gb of space? Whaaaa?

[GratefulDean]

TL;DR Why is my C drive showing, after a clean install, that I have used over 180gb of space?

Hi,

Every 6-8 months my system becomes slow, quirky, things stop working or it lazily boots up so I reinstall Windows 7. I have come to enjoy the process as it keeps me honest, running a neat, easily backed up system with a quick install and at the end of it I get what feels like a new computer. I keep a Google Doc with links to my important programs and the software keys. I transfer my music and pics off the laptop regularly so it rarely has more than a few gigs of these on board so the process has become rather painless. For this latest install I put the Chrome and TrendMicro installers on a thumbdrive so I could install each without needing to go online except, once installed, to activate.

I digress...

This time around I was thinking of setting up a dual boot with Ubuntu 10.10. So, as I'm checking out my disk deciding on partition sizes I see that I have, with a brand new, utterly clean install, used up 183gb of my hard drive.

How is this possible?

I was under the impression Win7 needed 20GB for install, and as I run light in terms of programs, iTunes, Word, Excel, Trend Micro, Chrome, DropBox, Sketchup, Skype and various drivers for peripherals I could get away with a 35GB partition for Win7. But 183GB doesn’t seem right.

What am I missing?

Thanks,
Dean

P.S. While I have you, and I do plan on posting this in a more appropriate place, I have a question. The best set up for the install is, I think, a +/- 35g partition for WIn7, a +/- 35g partition for Ubuntu and a third, separate, data partition with files, music pics that both Win7 and Ubuntu can access. I’m not sure what it is called in Ubuntu but in Windows it would be the “Libraries”. I am not exactly sure how to do this or even if this is the correct way to go. If I do this, what is the process to have Win7 deposit and look for these files “Libraries” on said partition?

Thanks,
Dean

 

[DianaD 74]

I dont know why 7 is taking up so much space. Perhaps you're not formatting the boot drive 100% before installing the new version.

One thing I can advise is that you get a good imaging program such as Acronis True Image Complete hard disk recovery solution, backup, drive copy, clone and image computer software.
It allows you to make an exact mirror image of your hard drive so you will no longer have to constantly re-install windows every 6 to 8 months, that's just ridiculous to be re-installing windows so often.

I'd imagine you know it can take weeks or more to get all your programs re installed and your settings back the way you prefer them.
You will need an external hard drive to store the backups ...although you can use a CD/DVD writer to hold the images, an external drive is much faster and much easier and not a lot of $$$.

I use Acronis to make backups to a USB-2 external drive about once a month.
If there's a massive meltdown or serious slow down/problem.. or worse, A Hard Drive Failure... you can be back up and running in a matter minutes...Exactly as it was at the time you made your last image.

I don't think anybody here that has properly used an imaging program will disagree with what I've posted...It's a life saver.

Theres a free imaging program called Backula Bacula, the Open Source, Enterprise ready, Network Backup Tool for Linux, Unix, and Windows
I've never used it but I've heard great reviews about it.

Do yourself a favor and look into imaging your hard drive every few weeks or so.

I have a couple of XP machines at home that have been running without a fresh install in over 5 years thanks to Acronis True Image.
I just got win 7 a while ago and have made 4 backups so far.

One major problem and I simply load Acronis and I'm back up and running within 30 minutes or so.

Good luck
D.

 

[Orbital Shark]

Hi,

Have a look at Method 2 of the following tutorial and see if it helps

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/336-system-protection-restore-points-delete.html

You'll be surprised how much space unwanted restore points can take up.

Also, CCleaner can also show what's taking up all your space regarding temporary files.


OS

 

[HQuest]

I saw my HD being almost eaten up entirely by Windows, right after it was installed. Turned out it was Bitlocker encrypting the disc. The space was freed when encryption was done.

Are you running Bitlocker by any chance?

 

[GratefulDean]

I saw my HD being almost eaten up entirely by Windows, right after it was installed. Turned out it was Bitlocker encrypting the disc. The space was freed when encryption was done.

Are you running Bitlocker by any chance?

No, I'm not sure what that is.

Edit: isn't Bitlocker only available on Home Premium?

 

[GratefulDean]

One thing I can advise is that you get a good imaging program such as Acronis True Image

D.

Thanks, I've run Acronis before but a while a go I ran out of back up space on my ExtHD's. That was when I started this process. I've actually gotten it down to a science so that the process takes less than an hour. I've figured out the few programs I use and have all the info down in such a way it takes no time to reinstall everything. What I like about this, more than Acronis, is that it really keeps my system unburdened by the various apps I try out then stop using.

I am planning, hopefully sooner than later, to pick up a 3TB network drive so my wife and I can have a single primary data drive, freeing up our 1tb drives for system back up.

Thanks for the response,
Dean

 

[SixStringJammin]

If you keep reinstalling Windows 7, I wager you might have more than a few 'windows.old' folders hanging around - and they can take up a lot of space. Unless you need anything from them, get rid of them! @Experts: am I right? I don't want to give the poster duff advice.

 

[GratefulDean]

If you keep reinstalling Windows 7, I wager you might have more than a few 'windows.old' folders hanging around - and they can take up a lot of space. Unless you need anything from them, get rid of them! @Experts: am I right? I don't want to give the poster duff advice.

Dude, I bet that's it!

So, after some calculating the 3 .old files come to 44.5 gigs. That's a start. I'm still long by about 140gb.

 

[GratefulDean]

Hi,

Have a look at Method 2 of the following tutorial and see if it helps

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/336-system-protection-restore-points-delete.html

You'll be surprised how much space unwanted restore points can take up.

Also, CCleaner can also show what's taking up all your space regarding temporary files.


OS

Thanks,

I only have 8gb reserved for restore points after that I believe they are deleted.

I think what I needed to do was boot from the win7 install disk and format the drive at each install. That may also help with the system getting gummed up so quickly.

I've been clearing space on one of my externals to image the c drive after I get this figured out. It is a task I have not been looking forward to.

Thanks,
Dean

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Dean.


Here's the best way to get a real clean install.

   Information

I would suggest, after you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, use Step One of this tutorial at the link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive, running this "clean all" then using the outline in Step Two #2 to create/format and mark Active a single 100GB partition using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional partitions after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

 

[GratefulDean]

Hello Dean.


Here's the best way to get a real clean install.

BFK FTW!!!! Deep thanks my friend.

The directions you put forth are excellent , for my skill level though, the process is what I call a “Pucker Factor- 10” (death is immanent) :shock:, so I ask for a little clarification before I dive into this.

1) What is the purpose of the system reserved space, is it necessary and will it be shared between Ubuntu and Win7. Even if it is only necessary in a few rare instances I would rather have it.

2) I assume the commands entered after DISKPART> are the ones I would be entering and those lines without anything preceding are from the system?

2a) So in step 2, #2 (2.2) after I have entered; create partition primary size=200 and the system has responded Diskpart succeeded in creating the specified partition, I then have to format and name (label) said partition with the following command > format fs=ntfs label=”System Reserved”?​

2b) The active command makes the partition active and usable and is required. What would happen if this was left out?​

2c) Same questions apply for the Windows 7 partition.​

3) As I stated in the OP my ultimate goal is to dual boot this system with Ubuntu. I think this is a good time to address this. Based on what I have learned thus far a good way to do this is set up an ext4 partition for Ubuntu at +/-10gb, a 4gb ext4(?) partition for Swap, an ntfs partition for Win7 at 35gb, then leave the rest (ntfs) for shared data which I may format via Disk Management in Win7 (see 3b). I understand I’m biting off a lot but I am enjoying the pain process, and I think it’s important to learn and understand this stuff. That being the case:

3a) After I set up the Win7 partion in diskpart I then, at the next command line, enter what I need as primary partition primary size=10240 then format fs=ext4 label=”Ubuntu” then active then when that is done enter primary partition primary size=4096 then format fs=ext4 label=”Swap” then active? Is my math right there?​

3b) For the remainder of the drive do I need to do the math or is there a command to format it as ntfs and active so I don’t have to go into Disk Management? Local Disk (C) properties show it at 297gb but I recall it was a 320gb. Is the system hiding space for some reason?​

3c) If I leave the remainder alone will it not be seen because it hasn't been set as active during this process?​

3d) Am I limited to 4 partitions on a drive? If so I will drop the swap if I can. If not, I will be sad.​

4) Now here is where we I take really advantage of your kindness and go beyond your original response- For the partition wherein I hope to set common data will Win7 know to look there for my Documents and Libraries or will I have to manually place the data there each time. Rather, can I tell Windows to put the Libraries and Downloads in that partition so when I drag and drop files to the Libraries icon in the sidebar or down load off the internets that is where it will automatically go?. And when I click on the Libraries and/or Downloads icon in the sidebar that data partition is what will open up? Where can I set that up?

In closing:
As I understand it the Ubuntu installer gives the option to set up partitions but I think the easiest and most efficient way to do this is via your solution. A million thanks for the effort you have put in to lay out these processes. I hope I have made this clear enough to minimize any further back and forth. I also hope this follow up doesn’t cause too much consternation on your part. A little consternation, though, is healthy.

Thanks again,
Dean

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Let's put all that aside for a second and deal with dual booting Windows and Linux, it is best done on separate HDDs so there will be no Grub (boot loader) issues between the 2, do you have a second HDD to do this?

Only a single partition is marked as Active as that is the flag that identifies where to create the Windows boot files.

   Information

Using separate Hard Disk Drives to dual boot is the preferred method to dual boot between separate Operating Systems, this way the OSs aren't dependent on each other for the boot files needed to start Windows / Linux making it very easy to remove one or the other OS/HDD without boot issues.

Power down the PC and disconnect the Windows 7 HDD data cable from the motherboard and leave it disconnected for the installation process, set the 'new' HDD as first boot device after the DVD/CD drive, when Linux is booting good on the second HDD, power down and reconnect the other HDD data cable to the mobo and restart the PC to set the preferred OS/HDD as first boot device in the BIOS, then you can use the BIOS one-time boot menu for your specific PC / mobo to select the other OS/HDD to boot when needed.

• Asus - F8
• HP/Compaq - Esc
• Sony - F2
• Acer – F12
• Gateway - F10
• eMachnes - F10
• Gigabyte – F12
• Toshiba - F12
• Dell - F12
• IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button

​

 

[GratefulDean]

Let's put all that aside for a second and deal with dual booting Windows and Linux, it is best done on separate HDDs so there will be no Grub (boot loader) issues between the 2, do you have a second HDD to do this?

Only a single partition is marked as Active as that is the flag that identifies where to create the Windows boot files.

Thanks for getting back so quickly.

This will be done on a laptop with no additional HDD's available. Concerning the Grub, I am aware of this possible problem but know it has been done successfully without issue. If Win7 is installed first with Ubuntu installed later, according to the fine folks over at the Ubuntu Forums (link to my thread regarding this), and via other Ubuntu resources, there is not a problem with a Grub conflict if the installation is done correctly.

My reasons for going forward with this process is, not only to have Ubuntu on my system, but also to learn the inner working of my computer. I rebuilt the engine in my last car, which was really a POS, just so I can have a better understanding of what made it tick. The experience was invaluable. Further, my wanting to get into Linux is so that I can play around with the OS. I understand I am taking a chance with this but one must push out the darker edges of what we understand to quell the fear, as it were.

Trust me, I'm super nervous about this process but am enjoying it knowing at the other end lies knowledge. I love knowledge.

So... Where were we...

The Ubuntu installer allows for setting partitions for Ubuntu so I can set up my System Reserved partition at 200mb and then give Windows the remainder of the disk then have Ubuntu come in later to set up its partitions. But, and I've been told this is possible, I would like to have a single data partition for both. I want to live and work on both sides equally with out having to move things around after the fact.

Thanks again for your help,
Dean

PS. Maybe someday I can go from being a Thread Starter to a Thread Closer.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Have you seen this one?

Dual Boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu



Us the outline in Step Two #3 after the clean all to create the SysResv and mark that active only and then create the 100GB to install Windows 7 and leave the rest of the HDD as unallocated space for the Linux install.

Enter the commands in #3 exactly when setting up the 2 partitions for the Windows install.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

 

[GratefulDean]

Have you seen this one?

Dual Boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu



Us the outline in Step Two #3 after the clean all to create the SysResv and mark that active only and then create the 100GB to install Windows 7 and leave the rest of the HDD as unallocated space for the Linux install.

Enter the commands in #3 exactly when setting up the 2 partitions for the Windows install.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Thanks for the dual boot link.

I am assuming there is no common data partition. So, if my system is 300gb and I set 100gb for Windows that means, save for the 200mb System Reserve, I will be leaving 200gb for Linux? I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of commitment. I mean, I've been been aware of Ubuntu for some time but aside from a brief two hour interlude last night I barely know the OS. Can I split it at 150gb?

Thanks again,
Dean

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You're welcome, you can create any partitions you like after the Windows install completes.




Here' another option in Method One of this tutorial.

Partition / Extended : Logical Drives


Why don't you try Wubi first?

http://wubi.sourceforge.net/

 

[mickey megabyte]

TL;DR Why is my C drive showing, after a clean install, that I have used over 180gb of space?

sorry to interrupt the thread, but one day, this could well be normal...or will the cloud come and 'save' us before windows gets that big?

...and by then, will they still call it c:???

who actually has an a: or a b: these days??

*sorry for the interruption - feel free to totally ignore this useless post*

 

[GratefulDean]

You're welcome, you can create any partitions you like after the Windows install completes.




Here' another option in Method One of this tutorial.

Partition / Extended : Logical Drives


Why don't you try Wubi first?

Wubi - Ubuntu Installer for Windows

No, thank you!

I Did a Wubi install on top of Win 7 on this system last night. Loved it! That kind of lit the fire to see this process through.

So, does Win 7 need 100gb? What all, other than the OS and programs will go in that partition? I did the math on what I use and, including two rather large music programs I hope to buy sometime in the the future, I felt 35 gigs would be plenty for the programs.

Based on the idea of adding partitions later (thanks for the link too) I can add a common data partition?

Not to belabor the question but can I do a 35-50gb Windows partition, 10gb Linux then come back and make the rest for data?

Thanks,
Dean

 

[GratefulDean]

I've gone in...

After reading, then re-reading, then re-re-reading all the various directions nigh ad infinitum I've decided to take the plunge.

The directions didn't elucidate exactly what to do about the large and rather hot stones that seem to have taken up residence in my gut. It's uncomfortable. As I said: "Pucker Factor 10"

I'm at the "disc clean" and as Bare Foot Kid said in his Optimize for Windows Re-installation tutorial, it is taking some time. According to windows I have 297gb, and according to Ubuntu 320gb, to clean. (Ubuntu is right BTW) I can't hear my HDD turning though which makes me nervous. Or maybe I never tried to listen to it before because it's so quiet. Or maybe I'm about as nervous as a cat in the dog run anyway.

Or maybe I'm just used to hearing the fan come on which happens often enough, especially when watching Flash video. Or maybe I'm used to hearing the DVD drive run which never happens until the last few days with all my "boots from disc".

I do hear something though and it's not the fan.

Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes.

Dean

 

[whiterazor]

Check if there's a windows.old folder on your drive C. If there's one, that contains files from previous a Windows installation. You can delete it by running chkdsk through an elevated command prompt.