Solved OS size when clean install Windows 7

[siliconbeaver]

It's noticed the normal size is about 15 GB - 25 GB, according to my install on Asus, HP, Lenovo, MSI.

however it's about 60-62 GB on my HP Elite 8300.
I have HP Elite 8300 and 800 G1. both shipped with Windows 7, RAID array setup and dual-hdd (two WD 500GB). in recent fresh-install, I deleted RAID array. removed and formatted the dual hdd. keep one only (a test before SSD replace). changed HP BIOS from RAID to AHCI following HP guide.
the newly-installed PC runs fine. running time test is similar on both HP PCs. but HP 8300 OS size displays 60-62 GB in property, either in GPT or MBR format. While HP 800 G1 OS is about 28 GB, much smaller.

btw, HP 8300 OS, its image is still some 4GB. looks normal, (under 60-62 GB OS, I was expecting its image upto 20GB)

Any issue can cause that? OS size swollen on HP Elite 8300.
(it's NOT critical. but for next move, SSD install, it's better save 30-40 GB on OS partition.)

 

[Megahertz07]

Did you do a Disk Cleanup after installation?
How big is C:\Windows and C:\ProgramData?

- HP normally creates a Drivers and App folder that can be big.
- Virtual memory (pagefile.sys) can be huge depending on the it's settings.
- Hiberfil.sys is the same memory size.

If you're going to do a clean install on the SSD, I recommend you move C:\Users from the SSD to the HDD (D:\Users)

 

[torchwood]

Hi

wondering if windows.old is still present

odd comment you made RE MBR and EUFI..... as far as i know you cant have both running at the same time

can you post your disk Management settings

 

[siliconbeaver]

Thanks for response,

the disk was newly-formatted. and during install, almost running cleaning and defragment on every step. as mentioned, (HP 800 G1 OS size looks normal, 28 GB). but HP 8300 OS size is some 60 GB.




OS size in total (60 GB). about 20GB spare room on partition.



I cannot find Virtual memory (pagefile.sys) and Hiberfil.sys to verify. but, y, it's with 24 GB RAM. may it cause the same memory size VM? (i.e. 24 GB VM)

Did you do a Disk Cleanup after installation?
How big is C:\Windows and C:\ProgramData?

- HP normally creates a Drivers and App folder that can be big.
- Virtual memory (pagefile.sys) can be huge depending on the it's settings.
- Hiberfil.sys is the same memory size.

If you're going to do a clean install on the SSD, I recommend you move C:\Users from the SSD to the HDD (D:\Users)

 

[Megahertz07]

I cannot find Virtual memory (pagefile.sys) and Hiberfil.sys to verify. but, y, it's with 24 GB RAM. may it cause the same memory size VM? (i.e. 24 GB VM)

That's it.
Pagefile.sys and Hiberfil.sys are system and hidden files and they are on the drive root (C:/)
You can see them if you set Explorer to show system and hidden files.
Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Folder Options - View tab

I have a small SSD for Windows and programs and a HDD for data.
I had disabled hibernation (powercfg -h off) so I don't have Hiberfil.sys. I disabled virtual memory (pagefile.sys) on C: (SSD) and enabled on D: (HDD). I suggest you do the same.

 

[Alejandro85]

I disabled virtual memory (pagefile.sys) on C: (SSD) and enabled on D: (HDD). I suggest you do the same.

This is pretty much the opposite if what you should do. Putting a pagefile on a normal HDD means that you get a slower pagefile and you waste the speed of a SSD. Since the pagefile is a very frequently read and written to, putting it on the fastest drive will achieve the best system performance.

The system drive or a second SSD is the best option, while using a HDD for it means slower response times.

 

[Megahertz07]

This is pretty much the opposite if what you should do. Putting a pagefile on a normal HDD means that you get a slower pagefile and you waste the speed of a SSD. Since the pagefile is a very frequently read and written to, putting it on the fastest drive will achieve the best system performance.

The system drive or a second SSD is the best option, while using a HDD for it means slower response times.

You're right IF your concern is getting low on physical memory and using virtual memory. I have "only" 8G of memory but I never see using more than 50% so i guess it never use the virtual memory
My concern is to avoid writing large files on my SSD and reducing its life. My 128G is no 6 years old and it's 97% heathy