Disk usage and Free space

[joxy]

For main hard drive Properties shows 32gB used 4 gB free,
Explore shows list of drive contents (program files, Windows, etc) with
total file size 12gB.
Temporary files and recycle bin are cleared. Defrag is not required.
What could be using up the 20gB of memory?
Drive is 160gB partitioned into main drive 40, others 40 and 80.

 

[Guest]

I just had this problem and it was an hidden temp folder
in document and settings.

I had 3Go which would only be shown if I directly clicked
property on the folder.


Maybe its some hidden folder...

 

[Bill James]

There are many hidden system files which are not included in the total unless you change settings to show those files. A lot of the space is taken up by System Restore. Also, your pagefile and hibernation file if that is enabled. To view all files, in Windows Explorer click on Tools, Folder Options, the View tab. Uncheck "Do not show hidden files and folders" and "Hide protected operating system files...". That second one will warn you, just acknowledge that. Now you will see the actual size of all files. There will still be a little difference due to "slack", more so on a FAT file system than on NTFS.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

 

[davetest]

For main hard drive Properties shows 32gB used 4 gB free,
Explore shows list of drive contents (program files, Windows, etc) with
total file size 12gB.
Temporary files and recycle bin are cleared. Defrag is not required.
What could be using up the 20gB of memory?
Drive is 160gB partitioned into main drive 40, others 40 and 80.

system restore space can use large amounts unless you've
modified it.
Righ click "my computer"/properties/system restore.
Review the settings for each drive to see what's being used.

There are various third party programs you can download that
help you to administer folders and files.
Treesize professional is one that will quickly identify
space hogs.
Dave