SSD drive full with no apparent reason.

Saddari · 18 Dec 2014

Hi, the drive that I got my windows and main programs appears to be full with no apparent reason. I tried using the "Disk Cleanup" tools and basically all hd-related tools in IOBit's advanced systemcare -software.

Here's a screenshot of the relevant info:

SSD drive full with no apparent reason.-screenshot-2014-12-18-21.07.25.png

The "Disk doctor" in IoBit's software seems to detect ~25000 more files than right-clicking the contents of C: and clicking on properties.

What could this be ? Sorry if there are similar postings, tried looking for a short while and failed to find.

Thank you,
Saddari

Brink · 18 Dec 2014

Hello Saddari, and welcome to Seven Forums.

For now, you might see if this below may be able to help you ID what's using up your hard drive's space, and free some up. :)

Hard Disk Space - Free Up and Recover

Layback Bear · 18 Dec 2014

I see one problem for sure; Advanced System Care by IObit.
IObit programs has screwed up many of systems.
In my opinion the only thing to do is a Clean Install or you will be spending all your time fixing one problem after another. Plus it will make sure A.S.C. is not calling home to China.

This Tutorial by Brink is what I recommend.

Clean Install Windows 7

whs · 18 Dec 2014

If you run this program, you will see all the files on your SSD - and the big chunks are easy to identify.

That however will not include the restore points. To ID those, you have to run this command:

vssadmin list shadowstorage

CKWD · 19 Dec 2014

Hello Saddari!

I support all other recommendations given here and would also add to use your Antivirus software and thoroughly check that SSD, there may be a virus eating up space.
Also, see you programs, is any taking too much space and creating temp files?
Third option is to see if your drive is creating System restore points. Remove all but the last restore point.Then go into Restore settings and check the amount of hard drive space that's allowed to be used for restore points. Normal setting is to use about 5% of space.

Hope this helps too!
Good luck!

CK_WD

Saddari · 19 Dec 2014

Thank you all so much for the quick replies. I actually felt like an idiot after posting this, since I did after all find similar threads from earlier.

Great step-by-step tutorial Brink ! Love it !

With the help of that I managed to pinpoint the issue. The problem was the System Protection being allowed to eat over 100GB's of the SSD. I dropped it down to 10% suggested in the tutorial, but might drop it even further down to 5% if that's sufficient (Thanks CK_WD). Thanks for the other suggestions as well, I ended up cleaning up quite a bit of junk ..even though the install of the OS was done less than 2 months ago.

On another note:
After installing the IObit's software A.S.C. I was actually really happy with the product. Is it really something I should avoid ? I liked couple of the tools it had, such as the first "Driver detective" that I've come across that allowed installing drivers straight through the software without paying + other tools like smart uninstall and smart defrag seemed useful.

Again, thanks for the help. I'll buy any of you a quality ale should you ever end up in Leeds !

CKWD · 19 Dec 2014

Hey Saddari!

It's great you managed to free up space on your SSD! Glad we could help, hope you don't have any more issues! :)

Cheers!

CK_WD

P.S.: Love the idea about the ale.

Brink · 19 Dec 2014

Great news Saddari. I'm glad we could help. :)

It's up to you about IObit. If you're happy with it and use it carefully, then there's no reason not to keep using it. It's just that it can be easy to cause issues with it. Not to mention what Layback Bear posted above.