Solved System Volume information files-- what are they

loninappleton

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I was trying to do some disk edits to gain some space and the Everything file list program shows a number

of numeric files called system volume information of several Gb each. What are they and why can I not delete them?
 

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Windows 7 x64 UltimateAMD Athlon II x3 4502 GB
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
AMD Athlon II x3 450
Motherboard
MSI 880GM
Memory
2 GB
Hard Drives
various
Browser
Firefox, Opera
Are they long numbers and letters and were are they. It sounds like software install data often if you search google for the number it will tell you what software install was
 

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win 8 32 bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
win 8 32 bit
Yes a long series of numbers, letters. Where do they come from and why are they difficult to delete if just
software installation data? I tried to rename them, that failed.


The Everything program allows to sort by size everything on the selected drive. I was surprised to see any of this and certainly was unaware of it before. I think Windows also refused to say where these are specifically.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64 UltimateAMD Athlon II x3 4502 GB
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
AMD Athlon II x3 450
Motherboard
MSI 880GM
Memory
2 GB
Hard Drives
various
Browser
Firefox, Opera
The files in the "System Volume Information" folder referred to are used by System Restore. The folder also contains some files that are not fully documented. The folder has both Hidden and System attributes and has security permissions such that even an elevated Admin level account cannot access them. With default settings Explorer won't even show the folder.

This folder should not be modified unless you really really know what you are doing.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Pro 64 bitXeon W35208 GBNvidia Geforce 210
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP
OS
Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
CPU
Xeon W3520
Memory
8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia Geforce 210
If I have extra restore points and delete the older ones will that also delete the system volume files to which they refer?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64 UltimateAMD Athlon II x3 4502 GB
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
AMD Athlon II x3 450
Motherboard
MSI 880GM
Memory
2 GB
Hard Drives
various
Browser
Firefox, Opera
Marked solved. I deleted old restore points and made one fresh one. Then I checked the Everything programand it looks like all those alphanumeric systyem files save for one got deleted in an non- invasive forced procedure.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 x64 UltimateAMD Athlon II x3 4502 GB
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom
OS
Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
CPU
AMD Athlon II x3 450
Motherboard
MSI 880GM
Memory
2 GB
Hard Drives
various
Browser
Firefox, Opera
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