Hard Drive Filled Up

Yes, I ran Disk Cleanup with the extended options and selected everything. No appreciable change. I don't have CCleaner or WinDirStat, but I suspect that will be my next option to get those and see what they reveal.

After comparing the size of the directories in the root level on two of my computers, I found that the C:\Windows directory was grossly larger on the problem machine. In further delving, I looked at the size of all the subdirectories under the Windows directory (using the dir *.* /a /s command from the command prompt run as administrator) and found Temp subdirectory to be the culprit (some 381 GB). It contained a bunch of CAB files and other stuff. I'm surprised that this subdirectory still had stuff in it after running Disk Cleanup and Disk Cleanup Extended. So, does Disk Cleanup not work on this subdirectory?


I assume that Temp means exactly that, and that none of these file are used in running the machine. Is this a correct assumption? Can I manually delete the entire contents of the C:\Windows\Temp subdirectory and NOT encounter any problems? Does anyone know as to what operations deposit stuff in the Temp subdirectory? Do I need to check this subdirectory periodically after certain Windows operations and manuall delete its contents to keep my disk from getting used up? I have yet to download CCleaner, but would it have cleaned up this subdirectory?


I greatly appreciate all the suggestions and feedback all of you have provided in helping me ferret out this problem. Thanks.

Disk cleanup normally clean the Temp folder. CCleaner I'm sure it does.
When you open Disk cleanup (%windir%\system32\cleanmgr.exe) it will give you the options what you want to clean. I select ALL options.
There are two Temp folders. One is under Windows and other under %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp
You can relocate those folders by editing System Properties - Advanced tab.
On the top you have the user temp folder. Down the list you have the system Temp / TMP folder location.

Temporary files folder is where the files are extracted for installation, draft files etc
Yes, you can delete all files and sub folders. Some files can't be deleted as they are in use. Just skip them.

Thanks for the confirmation that I can blow away all the stuff in the Windows\Temp directory. This confirms several things I had already found on the subject. One noted it is best to boot the computer to the Command prompt level so Windows isn't using any of the files. Thanks also for noting the TEMP directory stored under the use profiles. I hadn't thought to check there, but I don't think that is the problem place based on the size of the stuff in the Windows\Temp directory.

Going in and just deleting the contents of the Windows\Temp file by brute force got rid of some 14K of items taking up 355 GB of space. Things worked perfectly after the operation, and my C:\ drive consumption is now down to around 35 GB. Thanks to all that helped. I can put this issue to bed, now.

You still have a Win update issue.
There was a update KB that when installed, prevents new updates. There is a M$ fix to it. But that is to be oriented by the Windows Updates Activation - Windows 7 Help Forums people.

I now keep WU to never check and and recommended updates off. Under services I have it set to manual.
For Office I run WU manually and select those I want to install.
For Win 7 I'm now installing security ONLY updates.
MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Great work JohnHD! I'll have to try that too (is that ok with everyone? or are such answers JohnHD only specific? I hope I can just delete some of the computer's Temp files and not ones I made with same name)....I need space tooooooo!

Thanks Megahertz07 for the information!
Yes, I followed the link and learned I will not post anything here if I have problems. I don't seem to. I think I used SURT before and have it somewhere..

I can ask here....does everyone have Windows Update issues? Mine work ok. Wonder why????

Megahertz07 said:

I now keep WU to never check and and recommended updates off. Under services I have it set to manual.
For Office I run WU manually and select those I want to install.
For Win 7 I'm now installing security ONLY updates.

Why do you have it set to "off" except for security issues???