Disk D is full, can I clean it?

[XPguy01]

Hey guys, I have a Asus K53E laptop. 2 weeks ago I got a notifications about disk D being full. So I found your forum and got an external drive for the backups. Well I keep getting the notifications for it being full. So I was wondering if you could help me on if I could do to clean it out the drive. Just don't want to delete anything that I need.


Thanks.

 

[XPguy01]

Second screen shot on system

 

[mjf]

Your info is a little vague for me at least.
Storing backups (images or otherwise) on your main OS HDD is not recommended. What happens when your HDD fails?
Here is what I recommend. With Windows "Backup and Restore" always select "Let me choose". Deselect create a system image. "Change Settings" will enable you to point to the default file/folder backup drive. For System imaging use the manual "Create system image" button over on the left of the screen and browse to your external HDD. Note that Windows imaging is limited in its capabilities but you can work around some of these
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
An excellent third party imaging tool (free)
Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download
pay a little for more features.

 

[XPguy01]

What do I do with the d drive? How can I empty it?

 

[DocBrown]

Did you change your backup settings to go to the Ext HD ?

Can you give us a snip of your Disk Management ?

rb: Start :ar: Computer Management :ar: Disk Management
Maximize to full screen
Take a Snip of it with the Snipping Tool, Save snip, then upload the snip here in your post.

 

[XPguy01]

I guess i dont see a Snip option.

 

[DocBrown]

Snip is what I call a screen shot. Yes your D: is full. From your first post screen shot, it looks like you only have your backup on D:, I don't see any other type of files, pics, data. If you want to get rid of all this, you could right click on D: drive & format it to wipe it all out. Did you set your backup to go to the Ext HD ?

 

[XPguy01]

ok will do. I dont always carry my external HD with me on the road, since alot of my work is road based. So I might have to just back it up manually, when i get time? But I do have it set to not backup on D.

 

[mjf]

A little portable external HDD (eg WD 750GB Essentials) is the size of a pack of cards. Go for a USB 3 if your laptop supports usb 3.