Hard drive too full to download anti virus clean up

[Coby113]

Hard drive is full but not really. I think it is a virus because I removed a bunch of programs and there is very little in computer and it said I had 9GB available the next day went to 180KB free out of 296GB. I can't even take pictures off to wipe out and start over. What should I do?

 

[rraod]

You may download and try the CCleaner with default values, which will delete the unnecessary temporary files, downloaded programs and other junk like report files, log files etc.

You may also use the Disk cleanup feature in all the drive's properties (right click and select properties - General tab and select Disk cleanup button). This will additionally clean the system of unnecessary files.

In the same General tab you can keep a check mark on "Compress this disk to save space". This will additionally give you some more space (but at the cost of some performance loss).

You can also delete the old restore points on the drive. If you are not using the Hiberbate feature, you can delete the hiberfil.sys file for further space savings.

Overall all these changes should be able to give you a breathing space. Then install a good Anti-Virus program (like the free Microsoft Security Essentials), update to latest updates and clean the system.

 

[karlsnooks]

Coby,

Welcome to SevenForums.

Here is the solution. Of course, you will need to prepare the usb stick on another computer.

HOW TO USE MICROSOFT'S OFFLINE MALWARE REMOVER
Windows Defender Offline
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 785 kB)
You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


INSTALLATION:
· Requires an Internet Connection.
· Insert 512 mB or larger USB stick into a usb port.
· Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
· NEXT button
· Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
· NEXT button
· NEXT button
.
The install program will:
· format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
· download less than 230 mB.
· name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
· use less than 300 mB.

How to UPDATE the Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download less than 65 mB.

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.
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See you back after several hours (I said the check is thorough.)