Lack of Space on HDD due to Windows 7

[newbiewin7x]

Hi there,

I used to work in IT years back when Windows XP was a thing !

I left IT and now work in a completely different field but obviously my Windows knowledge is well past its best!

Anywho, My girlfriend brought a new laptop four years back but it only has a 23gb hard drive and runs Windows 7. She keeps running out of space and her laptop keeps freezing..shows only approx 350mb free

I done all the normal things, deleted all temp files, ran clean up etc...ran virus software and checked that she hadnt downloaded all her itune music, films etc onto the HDD and everything looks normal.

I deleted the hiberation file and managed to free up 1.5gb but its still runing like a dog.

Trouble is after checking Google yesterday...it kept indicating that Windows 7 needed approx 20gb so if you have a small hdd...its not fit for purpose.

I ran spacesniffer and treesize and both indicate that the windows directory is massive !

What would you guys do next?

Kind Regards

newbie-ish

 

[SIW2]

Did you use cleanmgr to clear out superseded updates?

Did you empty the software distribution folder?

Have you considered a bigger disk?

It is often possible to do something with those emmc devices.

Some allow a hard disk ( ssd ) to be added.

Otherwise, if it has PCI Wi-Fi card, You can replace using PCIe ssd. If you want Wi-Fi, you have to use external adapter.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi newbiewin7x,

Welcome to SevenForums!

My girlfriend brought a new laptop four years back but it only has a 23gb hard drive and runs Windows 7. She keeps running out of space and her laptop keeps freezing..shows only approx 350mb free

I done all the normal things, deleted all temp files, ran clean up etc...ran virus software and checked that she hadnt downloaded all her itune music, films etc onto the HDD and everything looks normal.

I deleted the hiberation file and managed to free up 1.5gb but its still runing like a dog.

Trouble is after checking Google yesterday...it kept indicating that Windows 7 needed approx 20gb so if you have a small hdd...its not fit for purpose.

What were you trying to do?

Please perform the following . . .

Under the heading Disk Cleanup - Extended . . ., please run Disk_Cleanup_Extended.bat, Option [2] from here => My BATCH PROGRAMS [Standalone]. It will tell you what else can be safely removed/deleted!

You can pick-up a larger HDD relatively cheap these days. I just looked on eBay and there are some there at a starting price of £0.99p!

I hope this helps!

 

[newbiewin7x]

Thanks for coming back so quickly !!!

My initial thoughts were that we would need a new HDD but I'll definately try cleanmgr, and emptying the software distribution folder and batch 2 from Disk Cleanup - Extended later ..

Well impressed with the help - Thanks !

Kind Regards

 

[Paul Black]

Hi newbiewin7x,

My initial thoughts were that we would need a new HDD but I'll definately try cleanmgr, and emptying the software distribution folder and batch 2 from Disk Cleanup - Extended later ...

Well impressed with the help - Thanks !

You are welcome. Please let us know how it goes!

 

[RolandJS]

I vote for a bigger HD, whether HDD or SSD, getting rid of internal WIFI card and going with external USB connected WIFI and going with that same small HDD is going to become more problematic as time passes -- that's my guess.

 

[bigmck]

I have run across that several times. The only good solution is a new HD. They are very cheap and while you are doing it, get a SSD (Solid State Drive). They cost a bit more but are much faster.