Windows 7: Disk Cleanup fails for small capacity hard drives

[GuglyBu]

I have a followup question to this thread, that to my understanding is not answered since the thread is marked as solved:

My problem is that disk cleanup does not delete "Windows update cleanup", even though it says it can delete more than 7GB of data (disk cleanup terminated during the progress bar). I read in the thread that it may happen due to low available space in the hard drive, and I'm pretty sure that this is my problem (as I only have 4.5GB available on the drive, and I canceled out any other causes I could find online and in the spoken thread). However, my problem is that my hard drive is of very small capacity - only 102GB, so I cannot free enough space for the disk cleanup to work, as most of the space is taken by Windows itself (I uninstalled every program I had installed, deleted all my files, canceled hibernate and freed as much space as I could).

How can I make disk cleanup delete those files, assuming I cannot free enough space? Is there a way of deleting these files manually?

(Also, buying a new hard drive is not an option)

Thanks a lot.

 

[mrjimphelps]

You might want to consider getting some free online storage to move all of your documents, pictures, MP3 files, and other personal data to, in order to clean up the drive some more.

Another option would be to get as big of a name-brand flash drive as you can afford, and connect that to your computer. You can move some stuff onto there.

This may free up enough space in order that Disk Cleanup will run successfully.

Then after it runs, move your stuff back onto your hard drive.

 

[GuglyBu]

You might want to consider getting some free online storage to move all of your documents, pictures, MP3 files, and other personal data to, in order to clean up the drive some more.

Another option would be to get as big of a name-brand flash drive as you can afford, and connect that to your computer. You can move some stuff onto there.

This may free up enough space in order that Disk Cleanup will run successfully.

Then after it runs, move your stuff back onto your hard drive.

Thanks for the reply.
I have moved all my personal data, uninstalled everything etc. That did not free enough space for Disk cleanup to run successfully.

 

[Ranger4]

GuglyBu. When you uninstalled those programs & disabled Hibernate, did you reboot the computer. After uninstalling programs etc. it is necessary to reboot so the uninstall completes.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi GuglyBu,

I have moved all my personal data, uninstalled everything etc. That did not free enough space for Disk cleanup to run successfully.

I know this might sound strange but try defragging the hard drive. Then reboot the computer.

I hope this helps!

 

[Snick]

How much free space do you have on your HDD? Windows 7 x64 only requires 20GB of drive space.
Something doesn't sound right here, how much free space do you have?

Disk Cleanup many times will not complete unless you reboot.
Here is a nice little tutorial by Bare Foot Kid.
Disk Cleanup : Extended
Another one by Brink.
Disk Cleanup - Open and Use

 

[GuglyBu]

Thank you all for your replies.

GuglyBu. When you uninstalled those programs & disabled Hibernate, did you reboot the computer. After uninstalling programs etc. it is necessary to reboot so the uninstall completes.

I rebooted my computer. Still didn't help.

Hi GuglyBu,



I know this might sound strange but try defragging the hard drive. Then reboot the computer.

I hope this helps!

I did not try defragging my hard drive, but since it is an SSD I am reluctant to, as for my best knowledge defragging is harmful for SSD.

How much free space do you have on your HDD? Windows 7 x64 only requires 20GB of drive space.
Something doesn't sound right here, how much free space do you have?

Disk Cleanup many times will not complete unless you reboot.
Here is a nice little tutorial by Bare Foot Kid.
Disk Cleanup : Extended
Another one by Brink.
Disk Cleanup - Open and Use

This is interesting. Windows folder (on C:/) takes 79.1GB, and with all the Toshiba (my laptop's brand) programs and drivers I couldn't free more than ~10GB (could be a bit more, but Disk cleanup still failed).
I am interested as for why my Windows folder takes almost 80GB when you say it should take 20GB. Unfortunately, I do not know what takes most of the space and what is safe to delete.

Moreover, I followed the guides you had posted but they didn't help, as I encountered the very same problem.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Paul Black]

Hi GuglyBu,

These will show you how your files are distributed on your HDD and what they are:

WinDirStat - Windows Directory Statistics

Antibody Software - WizTree finds the files and folders using the most disk space on your hard drive

I hope this helps!

 

[Paul Black]

Hi GuglyBu,

I did not realise that you had an SSD!

It might be beneficial for you to fill in your system specs so that we have a better idea of what you are running and therefore be able to give you the correct advice!

SevenForums tutorial link for How to See Your System Specs with System Info.
It will also fill out your system specs for you:

System Info - See Your System Specs.

I hope this helps!

 

[GuglyBu]

Hi GuglyBu,

These will show you how your files are distributed on your HDD and what they are:

WinDirStat - Windows Directory Statistics

Antibody Software - WizTree finds the files and folders using the most disk space on your hard drive

I hope this helps!

Thanks! This actually helped me analyze my windows folder. I now know what folders inside Windows folder take most of the space (see screenshot), but from a quick search on the web I couldn't find a safe way of deleting some of the files in them.

If I uninstall all the programs I installed, delete all my personal files etc. I can free roughly ~12-13GB, which is still not enough for Disk cleanup to run successfully.

I really do appreciate your help guys, thanks!

 

[GuglyBu]

Hi GuglyBu,

I did not realise that you had an SSD!

It might be beneficial for you to fill in your system specs so that we have a better idea of what you are running and therefore be able to give you the correct advice!

SevenForums tutorial link for How to See Your System Specs with System Info.
It will also fill out your system specs for you:

System Info - See Your System Specs.

I hope this helps!

Thanks a lot! I updated. I didn't notice my info was not updated, thanks again!

 

[mrjimphelps]

You could delete the contents of your C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder to free up 6.7 GB of space.

If you ever have a problem with the Windows Update process, such as it being stuck, you can safely delete the contents of this folder; doing so will erase your Windows update history, causing Windows to start over with a clean slate on Windows Updates. That's the only effect you will see if you delete the contents of this folder.

Many people delete the SoftwareDistribution folder itself, rather than deleting the contents of it. It doesn't make any difference which you do, because if Windows can't find the folder, it will create a new one.

Here is some helpful information: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/software-distribution-folder-in-windows

 

[Paul Black]

Hi GuglyBu,

Thanks! This actually helped me analyze my windows folder.

You're welcome!
It is a good liitle bit of software that I am sure you will use again in the future!

 

[GuglyBu]

After freeing space, I now have 17GB free space, and got no more personal files/programs/hibernation etc that I can free. Disk cleanup still terminates during the run and doesn't free the promised space.

Since it doesn't seem that I am able to free anymore space, is there a way of manually deleting what disk cleanup fails to delete? What is the minimum space required for disk cleanup to run successfully?

Thanks!

 

[Paul Black]

Hi GuglyBu,

CCleaner is another route that you could go down.

I have used CCleaner (FREE) for years now and it basically does what it says on the tin.
There is also a portable version (FREE) which obviously doesn't get installed and is run directly from a USB.
One thing I would strongly recommend is that if you decide to use it that you UNCHECK everything in the registry section.

I hope this helps!

 

[Paul Black]

Hi GuglyBu,

Did you try mrjimphelps suggestion in post #12, if you haven't, I recommend that you do!

I hope this helps!

 

[GuglyBu]

You could delete the contents of your C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder to free up 6.7 GB of space.

If you ever have a problem with the Windows Update process, such as it being stuck, you can safely delete the contents of this folder; doing so will erase your Windows update history, causing Windows to start over with a clean slate on Windows Updates. That's the only effect you will see if you delete the contents of this folder.

Many people delete the SoftwareDistribution folder itself, rather than deleting the contents of it. It doesn't make any difference which you do, because if Windows can't find the folder, it will create a new one.

Here is some helpful information: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/software-distribution-folder-in-windows

Hi GuglyBu,

Did you try mrjimphelps suggestion in post #12, if you haven't, I recommend that you do!

I hope this helps!

I have already done that (forgot to update). It freed some space but still not enough.

Hi GuglyBu,

CCleaner is another route that you could go down.

I have used CCleaner (FREE) for years now and it basically does what it says on the tin.
There is also a portable version (FREE) which obviously doesn't get installed and is run directly from a USB.
One thing I would strongly recommend is that if you decide to use it that you UNCHECK everything in the registry section.

I hope this helps!

Good call. I ran it, it freed ~1GB but that is still not enough.
I now have free ~18GB. I remember Windows needed a certain amount of free space to run, though I cannot find the exact amount anywhere. I would appreciate any more help

 

[Snick]

Usual recommend free space is approximately 20% of your Drive 125GB x 20% = 25GB
Just curious, when running disk cleanup, did you try unchecking most of the items (especially the large space usage ones) and then running it? If that works, keep checking them until you have all the junk removed.
I use CCleaner all the time, default settings on cleaner (except for windows logs I have unchecked) and registry. Default setting create a backup before cleaning. Although some on SevenForums complain about CCleaner trashing their Windows, I've never ever had an issue with it. By the way, there is a CCleaner enhancer that adds a plethora of additional items. If you would like it, I can upload the supplemental I have.

Just a thought, if you have free USB port, you could use thumbdrive/USB Stick to provide additional space. I've done that for a few of my clients to provide them additional storage without having to replace their small drive. When installing programs, you can choose to install them to the USB. You can purchase a SanDisk Ultra Fit 64 GB Flash Drive - USB 3.0 for about $20 US. It's small enough that you won't have to worry about bumping it and damaging the male or female connectors.

 

[GuglyBu]

Usual recommend free space is approximately 20% of your Drive 125GB x 20% = 25GB
Just curious, when running disk cleanup, did you try unchecking most of the items (especially the large space usage ones) and then running it? If that works, keep checking them until you have all the junk removed.
I use CCleaner all the time, default settings on cleaner (except for windows logs I have unchecked) and registry. Default setting create a backup before cleaning. Although some on SevenForums complain about CCleaner trashing their Windows, I've never ever had an issue with it. By the way, there is a CCleaner enhancer that adds a plethora of additional items. If you would like it, I can upload the supplemental I have.

Just a thought, if you have free USB port, you could use thumbdrive/USB Stick to provide additional space. I've done that for a few of my clients to provide them additional storage without having to replace their small drive. When installing programs, you can choose to install them to the USB. You can purchase a SanDisk Ultra Fit 64 GB Flash Drive - USB 3.0 for about $20 US. It's small enough that you won't have to worry about bumping it and damaging the male or female connectors.

When I run Disk cleanup, it works if I check everything but the "Windows Update cleanup" (which supposedly should free 7.68GB), as they all together take a total of a few MBs.
I could do what you suggest, but that only postpones dealing with the problem: I have a lot of Windows junk that I cannot delete because there is too much Windows junk. The windows junk would stack up until my drive is completely out of space.

Here's an idea I had, which I am not sure of how safe it is, and would appreciate experts' opinions: C:/Windows/installer takes a huge amount of space (nearly 40GB). For my best understanding it is unsafe to delete this folder, which brings me to my idea: Suppose I temporarily move this folder to another place (say a USB stick), perform disk cleanup (which should work as I would have enough free space), and then bring back the installer folder to Windows directory. Will this work? Is it safe to do so? Are there any dangers of my screwing up my machine?

Thanks!

 

[Ranger4]

Here's an idea I had, which I am not sure of how safe it is, and would appreciate experts' opinions: C:/Windows/installer takes a huge amount of space (nearly 40GB). For my best understanding it is unsafe to delete this folder, which brings me to my idea: Suppose I temporarily move this folder to another place (say a USB stick), perform disk cleanup (which should work as I would have enough free space), and then bring back the installer folder to Windows directory. Will this work? Is it safe to do so? Are there any dangers of my screwing up my machine?

You need to be very careful doing anything with the Windows Installer file. This MS website might help you understand it.

Can you safely delete files in the %windir%Installer directory? The Windows Servicing Guy

You mention that you now have about 18 GB free on the HDD. Have you considered downloading Macrium Reflect Free & either cloning or making an image of your existing HDD to a larger, say a 250 GB drive. You can download Macrium Reflect Free at this website.

Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free