Solved Wrong SSD space remaining ?

[Spov]

Hello,

When I go to my computer and look at the Space remaining on my SSD drive (Samsung 840 Evo 120GB) it states that I only have around 10 GB left.

However when I go inside Local Disk C and hover my mouse on everything (including hidden files & folders) and right click properties it states that the files are only 48.6 GB large.

Now my question is what is using my other 60 GB and why doesn't the drive state 70 GB of free space because only 48.8 GB is being used ?

Regards

 

[ignatzatsonic]

TreeSize Free - Quickly Scan Directory Sizes and Find Space Hogs

Download tree size free from the above link to see what is actually using up the space.

Could be System Restore points or a runaway program of some type.

 

[Spov]

Hey ignatzatsonic,

Thanks for the reply. This is what I found:

As you can see "System Volume Information" is taking up the most space. When I expand the folder it shows me these files:

Are these important files ? Are they system files ? or can I delete them ?

Thanks

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I think most of those are system restore points that you can delete.

You apparently have a large amount of space devoted to system restore--30 or 40 gb. But it's controllable.

I devote only about 6 GB and have only about 10 restore points dating back to mid January.

You've got 30 or so restore points dating back to last year.

How many do you figure you need? Do you anticipate having to restore to last year? If not, reduce the amount of space devoted to system restore to something lower--say 8 or 10 gb.

When you do that, I think your free space will magically grow.

 

[NimoTony]

it is 'generally' considered smart to disable 'system restore' with an SSD--the System Volume Information folder contains the restore points--to recover the drive space--turn off system restore and delete your restore points--but--before you do that--read this:

The Windows 7 Optimization Guide | The SSD Review

specifically..."d. Disable System Restore

System restore is an effective tool for backing out of things such as tweaking mistakes, failed program installations and other activities that seem to leave your system damages. For this reason, consider carefully whether you want to turn it off or just leave it. Turning it off allows for performance improvement as new system backups aren’t being created in the background and, also, it allows for more computer space as it frees up some valuable disk property. I regularly back up to an external which solves my problems with respect to this.

Go to Control Panel/System/System Protection and then Configure.
Turn off or adjust System Protection; and
Apply and then confirm Yes.

 

[Spov]

I think most of those are system restore points that you can delete.

You apparently have a large amount of space devoted to system restore--30 or 40 gb. But it's controllable.

I devote only about 6 GB and have only about 10 restore points dating back to mid January.

You've got 30 or so restore points dating back to last year.

How many do you figure you need? Do you anticipate having to restore to last year? If not, reduce the amount of space devoted to system restore to something lower--say 8 or 10 gb.

When you do that, I think your free space will magically grow.

Thanks again ignatzatsonic. But if I set the space being backed up to 8 - 10 GB will it backup the windows folder ? (the Win folder alone is 25GB).

it is 'generally' considered smart to disable 'system restore' with an SSD--the System Volume Information folder contains the restore points--to recover the drive space--turn off system restore and delete your restore points--but--before you do that--read this:

The Windows 7 Optimization Guide | The SSD Review

specifically..."d. Disable System Restore

System restore is an effective tool for backing out of things such as tweaking mistakes, failed program installations and other activities that seem to leave your system damages. For this reason, consider carefully whether you want to turn it off or just leave it. Turning it off allows for performance improvement as new system backups aren’t being created in the background and, also, it allows for more computer space as it frees up some valuable disk property. I regularly back up to an external which solves my problems with respect to this.

Go to Control Panel/System/System Protection and then Configure.
Turn off or adjust System Protection; and
Apply and then confirm Yes.

Hi NimoTony,

Thanks for the reply. I have 2 drives. My main SSD drive is 120 GB Samsung 840 Evo SSD and my second drive is a 1TB Western Digital Drive. Can I set it so that my 1 TB WD drive also backs up for my SSD drive (and turn it off for my SSD) ? (I have alot of space in the 1TB drive.)

Regards

 

[ignatzatsonic]

System Restore doesn't back up the Windows folder regardless of how much space you have devoted to it.

If I recall, you can set it to apply to each drive separately.

If you want to "back up" Windows, you need to use imaging.

What's on the 1 TB drive?

I have an SSD and a separate data drive. I set System Restore to apply to the SSD only.

 

[Layback Bear]

I would suggest checking the Avast website.
Avast has been known to keep changing the size for restore points to 50%.
Some where on this forum members have had problems with Avast doing such a thing. So far I can't seem to find them.

Edit:

http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/358681-losing-lot-space.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-r...mation-folder-grew-50-2-months-need-trim.html

 

[NimoTony]

system restore is not a backup
I run a 120GB SSD (using only 20GB for OS and programs) and regularly (as needed) run backups and create a system image about every 3 months (which is replaced on my external 'backup' drive)
additionally I run a 250GB storage and a 2TB drive for my media
my system is setup thusly:

 

[Layback Bear]

I know of nobody that claims System Restore replaces Backups.

To me System Restore can be quite handy along with Backup.

One can use both on the same computer.

 

[Spov]

Great, thanks to all the replies

Regards

 

[Layback Bear]

Spov please let us know what you find and how you solve the problem.
Any information like this can be helpful to others.

 

[Spov]

I just followed the instructions of several members who replied to this thread and allocated around 10 GB of space for my C drive.

Regards

 

[Layback Bear]

Okay. Now just watch it to see if the 10GB stays put or grows.

Did you or did you not check Avast to see if it is causing problems.

 

[Spov]

Okay. Now just watch it to see if the 10GB stays put or grows.

Did you or did you not check Avast to see if it is causing problems.

Once I allocated the new size of 10 GB, my free space expanded, so now I have around 50 GB of free space. Also, Avast hasn't caused any problems.

Regards

 

[Layback Bear]

For testing I recommend removing Avast using their online removal tool and install MSE. Then reset then set your restore points no higher that 5%.

Your problem sounds exactly like the problem that other members had with Avast.

Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

When done watch your restore points and see if they still grow so large.