unknown file using a lot of space

[lartomar2002]

here are the results of running the elevated command prompt:vssadmin list shadowstorage. it seems to correspond to the amount of space being used by the unknow file. is it safe to delete if so how. if it is the restore points do i need to allocate that much space?

 

[Tepid]

sorry, yeah, they are one in the same. I knew something didn't look right with my post, I just couldn't figure out what it was. I don't use System Restore/Shadow Copies much at all.

 

[whs]

I guess we found 196GBs (the allocated space) - not sure though whether that corresponds to the "unknown file". But watch out, this will grow to 386GBs (maximum space) if you do not resize the shadowstorage. Let me know how big you want it and I make you the (rather complex) command to paste into Command Prompt.
I would say anything between 20 and 50GBs is reasonable. Figure 250MB to 1GB per restore point. So 20GBs would give you at least 20 restore points - which could be fast used up if you install a lot. With every program or update install, the system writes a restore point automatically.

 

[Tepid]

Ok, I checked my 7 System and I have an Unknown of 1.8G

In WinDirStat
Click on Options and choose settings,, or F7

Checking another app called Xinorbis... brb


WHS,,, I was wrong,,,, what you are seeing is a coincidence.. My does not mach up.

 

[lartomar2002]

ok, i would like to resize it. what is normal? i do a lot of experimenting with different programs but i uninstall them if it is not what i want or need. also if it reaches capacity does it stop making restore points or does just delete the oldest ones so as to free up space? could i not just go into system restore and change the allocated space?

 

[Tepid]

I checked using Xinorbis also,, a bit harder to located the same info,, but I think that <Unknown> is an accumulation of all files that have an unknown extension, or some other unidentifiable characteristics is calculated there as unknown.

This does not mean that <unknown> is a single file or folder that is wasting space.
It could be many files, but they could be system files, temp files, needed program files.
There is no specific way to be sure what the <unknown> is referring to specifically, because, it is unknown.

It is not related to the System Restore/Shadow Copy that I mentioned earlier.

My VSS is
Used: 4.7G
Allocated: 5G
Max: 5.1G

and my <Unknown> = 1.8G

If you look under Xinorbis,, and go to the "Other" tab, you will see what it is more than likely referring to.
It doesn't give a full size, but I guesstimate mine is about on target with that of <unknown>.

 

[whs]

ok, i would like to resize it. what is normal? i do a lot of experimenting with different programs but i uninstall them if it is not what i want or need. also if it reaches capacity does it stop making restore points or does just delete the oldest ones so as to free up space? could i not just go into system restore and change the allocated space?

I would say 50GBs would be good. Each install and uninstall creates one restore point. And if you do that 5 times a day, you already have a bunch - just for that day. If you want to go with that, run this command:

vssadmin resize shadowstorage /For=C: /On=C: /MaxSize=50GB

If you want a different size, just change the number in front of GB. It reuses the space when "Maximum" is reached. Then it is FIFO (first in, first out)

 

[lartomar2002]

so i run this in elevated command prompt?

 

[whs]

cmd has to always run in elevated mode. Set it once and for all: Go to All Programs > Accessories > right click on Command Prompt > Properites > Advanced > check the box in front of "Always run as admin" > OK > Apply - and DO NOT forget the Apply. Now you are set in admin for the future.
I pinned cmd to the taskbar - but that's me because I use it a lot.

 

[lartomar2002]

great tip, i just did it.