Solved Disk Cleanup vs Clean up System files

[cranheim]

On the Disk Cleanup for OS (C) screen on my Windows 7 Pro machine, I have the choice to do a Disk Clean up of the files shown in a box by selecting OK, or I can select "Clean up System Files". What is the difference? When should the "Clean up system files" be selected? It does not show what system files will be cleaned up. Is there a danger in selecting "Clean up System Files"?

Charles Ranheim

 

[UsernameIssues]

Clicking on the button named Clean up System Files should restart* the disk cleanup tool - running it with elevated privileges. This lets the tool remove things like Windows Update files that are no longer needed.

re: when to run it
Whenever you want to.

re: dangerous
Some members prefer to keep the system files. I have not had any issues after removing them.


*you can avoid the restart and rescan by right clicking on the Disk Cleanup shortcut in the Start menu and selecting run as admin from the context menu.

 

[cranheim]

The reason I asked about the different ways to do a disk cleanup is because of a problem I have experienced using Acronis True Image 2015. When using this program, If I delete a backup archive on an external HD using the Acronis program, the archive deletes from the external hard drive, but my used space on my PC C drive increases. I thought the deleted file might have gone to the Recyle Bin, but it did not. When I did a disk cleanup from the properties screen of my C drive, my C drive used space did not change. When I did a disk cleanup from my McAfee virus scan program, my used C drive space went back to normal, making me think the deleted file was somewhere on my C drive, but did not show up in the list showing what files would be deleted by a disk cleanup. I have asked Acronis about this, but never got an answer. There support only comes from overseas, not the US. Any thoughts where the deleted files from my external hard drive may have gone?
Thanks for your interest
Charles Ranheim

 

[UsernameIssues]

Maybe you can use Process Monitor to determine what files are being added to the C drive when you delete an Acronis image from your external drive.

Take note of the used space on the C drive before and after you delete an Acronis image from your external drive. Let us know the size of the increase. Also let us know the size of the image file that was deleted from the external drive.

 

[cranheim]

The two archives were approximately 85 GB each. My C drive used space went from 128 GB to 300 GB. After the Disk Cleanup using McAfee Virus Scan, it went back to 128 GB

 

[cranheim]

I looked to see what the Process Monitor was. Not being a PC Guru, but rather a simple PC user, I would not risk adding additional software in an attempt to diagnose this problem. I need my PC to be available for my normal day to day business. When I first installed the 2015 version of Acronis TI, I had some serious problems trying to resolve them that took my PC down for two days. I think that problem was due to a corrupt download of the update to my install CD. Thank goodness the McAfee disk cleanup works for this latest problem. It gives me a way to delete wherever these extra files are on my C drive.
Would it be practical to search for .tif files on the C drive while it contains the abnormal used space? The saved archives are all .tif files. If possible, how do I start the search of the C drive using Windows 7?
I may just wait until I do my next monthly backups with possible deletes to try re-creating the problem again. The only reason for hesitating is my present need for a working PC.
I sure want to thank you for any suggestions I can try when the problem occurs again. I appreciate your time and interest very much
Charles Ranheim

 

[UsernameIssues]

It is fine to be cautious when it comes to adding software. Process Monitor does not install anything. You just run the exe when you need it. The company that maintains Process Monitor is owned by Microsoft. The only problem with Process Monitor is the massive amount of data that it generates.

Resource Monitor might show you what is happening. You can find Resource Monitor by searching the Start menu. Once started, select the tab named Disk and expand the area named Disk Activity. Have this visible when using Acronis to delete an image file on your external drive. See if the column named File gives you a clue about files being added to the C drive.

 

[cranheim]

C drive used space increases doing a delete from Acronis TI 2015

I finally received an answer from Acronis Tech Support as to why the used space on my C drive increases when I do an archive delete from my external HD via Acronis. This is what they said:

When TI deletes an archive, it will make a copy before the deletion and once deletion or consolidation have taken effect it will then delete the temporary archive it made.

I thought the C drive used space went back to the normal size because I did more than one Disk Cleanup process. If what they said is true, the C drive went back to normal size controlled by Acronis TI as part of the delete process.