DAT files taking up space


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #1

    DAT files taking up space


    Hello all. Newbie to the forums. I am hoping to get help with my computer. Recently my computer maxed out in storage space and I have been slowly getting it back. I ran WinDirSat and saw that 60gb was being used for DAT files. I don't know what any of that is, or if it's possible to remove them to get that storage back? I have included a screenprint of WinDirStat's findings. Win — ImgBB Any help or suggestions on clearing up some space? Even if it is not DAT files. Thank you.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,785
    win 8 32 bit
       #2

    Welcome to the forum. a .dat file is normally a data file for database or game. So we cant say what it is you could try opening it with notepad and look and the first part as that may give you info on what its for. The other way to deal with it is rename it use the pc for a couple of day and if everything work ok then delete it any problems you can rename it back. Have you got any big games what folder is it in and who ownes it that may give us a clue
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,615
    Win 10 x64, Linux Lite, Win 7 x64, BlackArch, & Kali
       #3

    You can try running Microsoft's Disk Cleanup verylowdisk
    Click in searchbox type cmd
    right click it when it appears & choose Run as Administrator
    copy and paste the below at the cmd prompt >
    Cleanmgr /verylowdisk & exit
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 0
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #4

    Try System Ninja and Ccleaner. You can add this to Ccleaner, but it will make Ccleaner take a little longer to load. System Ninja will find things Ccleaner doesn't. Do not use Ccleaner's registry cleaner unless you know what you are doing. Scan all downloads at Virus Total.

    Download CCleaner | Clean, optimize & tune up your PC, free!

    System Ninja - SingularLabs

    In Ccleaner I'd ditch its automatic mode, automatic check of updates and don't allow it to run in your task bar. This is what I do.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    samuria said:
    Welcome to the forum. a .dat file is normally a data file for database or game. So we cant say what it is you could try opening it with notepad and look and the first part as that may give you info on what its for. The other way to deal with it is rename it use the pc for a couple of day and if everything work ok then delete it any problems you can rename it back. Have you got any big games what folder is it in and who ownes it that may give us a clue



    Thanks for your response. I am the owner of the desktop. At one point years ago, there were two games installed. Sims, and H1Z1. But they were removed in 2017. As far as the computer goes, I kept nearly everything on external harddrives, except for programs and some downloads.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Snick said:
    You can try running Microsoft's Disk Cleanup verylowdisk
    Click in searchbox type cmd
    right click it when it appears & choose Run as Administrator
    copy and paste the below at the cmd prompt >
    Cleanmgr /verylowdisk & exit

    Follow your instructions, and nothing has changed from the looks of it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3,785
    win 8 32 bit
       #7

    If you know its from a removed game simply delete it
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3,615
    Win 10 x64, Linux Lite, Win 7 x64, BlackArch, & Kali
       #8

    AZDSF

    Microsoft's Disk Cleanup whatever version you run, does not remove .dat files. It safely removes junk on your system freeing up disk space.
    If you decide to delete some .dat files, I would recommend that you create a full disk image backup to an external hard drive. If you delete something that causes damage to your system, or you later decide that you shouldn't have deleted that, you can simply reimage your drive to its previous state.

    It is always prudent to backup your system regularly, preferably to an external hard drive.

    Snick
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks all, I appreciate the help. Problem not solved but if I figured it out fully, I will post back.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 10
    windows 7 32 bit
       #10

    Should have at least identified the folder holding these files.
    That may have been a good clue
      My Computer


 

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