Disc Cleanup doesn't work and the hard drive is nearly full

Jim Maguire · 04 Sep 2020

This is probably a simple problem for all of you and I started searching the threads for an answer to my problem but realized it could take a very long time.

The bar showing the amount I have left on my hard drive is; 3.82 GB free of 74.4 GB and the bar has turned red. I used the disc cleanup and disc defragmenter and moved several things to my external hard drive and it seemed to free up a small amount of space but it soon filled up again. I have only recently had the internet hooked up and spend a lot of time on social media and Youtube and assume there is a file somewhere that is filling up with "trash".

I am a latecomer to computers and do not know all the terms so please keep it simple.

flavallee · 04 Sep 2020

Your computer appears to have a 80 GB(74.4 GB actual capacity) storage drive, so that's why you're having a lack of free space issue.

There are a number of ways to reclaim free space, such as:
Get rid of hibernation
Reduce the amount of allocated space for system protection
Reduce the amount of allocated space for the recycle bin
Delete the accumulation of temp files

Since we're not there to see how your computer is being used and what's installed and stored in it, you should ask a family member or friend who's computer knowledgeable to help you.

Jim Maguire · 04 Sep 2020

No help but thanks anyway. Finding someone knowledgeable may be a problem.

Do you know of a help site that can help me with my laptop. It has a Linux operating system which is completely frozen.

samuria · 04 Sep 2020

That's not clear is your pc windows 7 or Linux or are we talking about two PC's?

Snick · 06 Sep 2020

Jim Maguire said:

No help but thanks anyway. Finding someone knowledgeable may be a problem.

Do you know of a help site that can help me with my laptop. It has a Linux operating system which is completely frozen.

We provide assistance free of charge. Most of US are very Computer Savvy & knowledgeable in various areas. Individuals that do respond have expertise in the specific area OP requests help, or in general. Most have years of accumulated knowledge with Computers.

All suggestions and recommendations are valid in my opinion. Your main issue is a small HDD or SSD & it is, for all intensive purposes FULL. When you have 15% of less free space there are numerous issues that will arise. If you can afford a larger drive, preferably SSD that would be the most relevant solution.

If you can afford to, I would suggest you invest in a larger drive, SSD in particular. In my Desktop I have three 1TB Crucial SSDs, externally 1 4TB Seagate 3.0 USB HDD for backups.

Are you aware of disk cleanup from Administrative Command Prompt (CMD)

Start

> type CMD in searchbox > right click it > choose Run as Administrator

Then copy and paste or type in either of the bold commands below. The first cycles through the various popups, drive, check-boxes although they are all checked by defaults & you are presented with an option to clean up system files. The second runs without the various popups, all boxes checked. They both ultimately perform the same function, that is, if you leave all the boxes checked, which you have a choice with the first. I don't see a reason to uncheck, however, that is your prerogative.

cleanmgr.exe /lowdisk

or with no prompts

cleanmgr.exe /verylowdisk

Regarding Linux

Linux Help Forums Google Search

What do you mean completely frozen? It won't boot? It starts to boot then nothing? Explain in more detail please.

GRUB Bootloader may be corrupt/damaged.

Are you aware you can access your machine with a DVD/CD or USB drive repair program, booting from that? Usually the F9 key opens the Boot menu and you can choose which drive to boot from.
I triple boot my desktop, Win7, Win10 & Linux Lite.

Snick

Snick · 06 Sep 2020

Jim Maguire

Do you backup your computers to an external hard drive per chance?
Always a best practice in my opinion!
Please read blue text in my footer.

Snick