External Drive shows full, but only small file sizes visable

[Squidald]

Hi guys!

Having a little issue with my 1TB samsung M3 eternal HD.

Windows explorer show that there is only 273 GBs free space, however when looking through the folders on the drive I have one folder which is 208GB and then 3 other folders the biggest being 214mb.

Now my maths isnt the best but im sure I should have more that 270GB free!

Anybody help me out here?

 

[Layback Bear]

Welcome to our forum Squidald.

Trying to add up space of folders and compare to free space is a waste of time.
It will never match.
Their are many reason and most I don't know.

Just look at Disk Management and it will show you % of free space.
Complete this tutorial by Golden so other members can have a look.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[Squidald]

Attached is the screen shot as requested.

I understand that adding up the folder doesn't always work out right, but to be nearly 700GB out is a bit of a worry to me.

 

[Layback Bear]

Your picture shows exactly used space and free space on disk (1), partition (E).

Why is partition (E) set active?

I really don't understand what you are seeing in Windows Explorer or how you are seeing it.

Show me a picture like this so we can compare.

 

[whs]

Check the shadowstorage with elevated command prompt. The command is:

vssadmin list shadowstorage /for=E:

 

[Layback Bear]

Good call Wolfgang.

@ Squidald
What anti virus program are you using?

 

[Squidald]

Layback Bear, firstly thank you for being patient and responding to my dumbness.

I have no idea why E: is set to active.

Windows explorer shows the same, however when I look at the folders on the drive there is one that is 200gb and the others arent even over 215mb, so why am I being told I only have 200gb free?

I am using AVG free for antivirus.

WHS I tried the command and all I got was: 'No items found that satisfy the query'.

 

[whs]

Well that is good. At least we know that you do not have a bunch of restore points on the disk that clobbered the space.

 

[DavidE]

You can try WizTree free and see if it shows files/folders Windows (file) Explorer doesn't show.
WizTree has a portable version available, no install needed.
Just download, unzip, run, and scan the [E] drive.
See if WizTree will show info for the files and folders Windows Explorer doesn't show.
Antibody Software - WizTree finds the files and folders using the most disk space on your hard drive

If you don't want to use a 3rd party program you can (temporarily) try,
In Windows Explorer/Folder Options set Show Hidden and Operating System files to see if that shows you where your space is used.

 

[Layback Bear]

@ Squidald.
Don't worry about what you call dumbness.
Everybody has a little of that.
David, Wolfgang, other members and I are here to help if we can.

I try to remember flying a F22 Raptor is easy if one knows how. If one doesn't know it's time to ask for help.

DavidE post #9 is another good idea. Make sure you are looking at Disk (1) partition (E)It should show what is using up your space.

When we get this problem figured out we can show you how to get some Restore Points.
Restore Points should be located on your "C" partitions.

Do you use any Cloud backup programs?

 

[Squidald]

Well it looks like WizTree has found the blighter!

 

[DavidE]

Well that's good news Squidald !
It looks like it's the Samsung Software folder using a lot of space that Windows Explorer doesn't show.
You can click on the [+] to the left of the folder icon to expand the folder and "drill down" to see files and folders.

I don't know what that folder is used for, or why it uses so much space , but now you can research what that folder is for.
Maybe you need it or want it, maybe you don't, and can delete it.

I've never seen that folder before on systems i've worked on, so i can't comment on why it's there.

 

[Layback Bear]

Very interesting.
I have no idea why a Samsung program would use that much space.
Unless it is also making backups.
Squids backup is cloud based and is also using lots of room.

From my post #10

Do you use any Cloud backup programs?

 

[Squidald]

Seems it was the samsung program had created a back up as well as me manually making one! Speaking of backing up , anybody recommend a good free back up program?

 

[Pauly]

Macrium reflect seems to be quite a popular one round here, its pretty easy to use and is generally quite reliable

WHS has a tutorial for it here - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

ps as mentioned earlier your drive should not be marked active, its not really an issue ATM moment but if you ever reinstall with it connected it could interfere

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/197157-partition-mark-inactive.html

 

[Layback Bear]

Glad you found the problem. Lots of backup.

I agree with Pauly. This is a good tutorial.


WHS has a tutorial for it here - Imaging with free Macrium

I use Macrium, it's not difficult to use and it works.