How can I reduce the size of my System C: drive?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rex Imperator
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Rex Imperator

Hi,

I run WinXP SP1 on my C: partition. The paging file, and the temporary
files folders are elsewhere. I do my best to put program files in their
own partitions, so that C:\program files is kept as small as reasonably
possible.

In spite of this, the C: partition is about 4 Gigabytes in size.

Could you please suggest how I can reduce the size of this partition.
Are there folders which are not strictly necessary for the correct
function of the system? Are there folders which I can safely delete? Are
there backups made without my knowledge, on an in-case basis by the OS
which I can delete? Are there legacy files not strictly necessary which
I can delete?

Or, what I am doing wrong such that the C: partition has grown so big so
fast. It was about 1 Gigabyte to start with.

Any suggestions on where to look would be much appreciated.

Rex.
 
Hi,

I run WinXP SP1 on my C: partition. The paging file, and the temporary
files folders are elsewhere. I do my best to put program files in their
own partitions, so that C:\program files is kept as small as reasonably
possible.

In spite of this, the C: partition is about 4 Gigabytes in size.

Could you please suggest how I can reduce the size of this partition.
Are there folders which are not strictly necessary for the correct
function of the system? Are there folders which I can safely delete? Are
there backups made without my knowledge, on an in-case basis by the OS
which I can delete? Are there legacy files not strictly necessary which
I can delete?

Or, what I am doing wrong such that the C: partition has grown so big so
fast. It was about 1 Gigabyte to start with.

Any suggestions on where to look would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Nothing unusual with the C partition growing. Take a look at your
c:\windows\system32 folder. Probably around 1 gb. Your method of
preserving space on C won't work - as you're finding out.

The problem with not installing applications to c:\program files, is
that in most cases it doesn't matter because each new application
usually installs files to c:\windows\system32. Also, bear in mind
that the registry will always be on the system/boot drive. That's
drive c. That along with the pagefile, hibernate file, all reside on
drive c.

I gave up long ago worrying about space on c. I now make c my
largest partition and normally will let programs install to
c:\program files. Hard drives are inexpensive, quit worrying about
it.
 
OK ***DISCLAIMER***
This works for me and I am totally happy with it. I have NO performance
problems, NO crashes and NO problems of any kind. If anyone disagrees with
my set up it is your problem.

1 Move pagefile.
2 Disable hibernation.
3 Disable System Restore.
4 Move Temp.Internet files.
5 Move Outlook store folder.
6 Move cookies.
7 Disable memory dump.
8 Install ALL programs to other partition.

There may be other stuff but this is just off the top of my head what I do
on every machine I own. As I said after 2 years on a 3.5 gig c: I have 56%
free space.

Use at your own risk but hope this helps.

Testy
 
Rex said:
I run WinXP SP1 on my C: partition. The paging file, and the temporary
files folders are elsewhere. I do my best to put program files in their
own partitions, so that C:\program files is kept as small as reasonably
possible.

In spite of this, the C: partition is about 4 Gigabytes in size.

Could you please suggest how I can reduce the size of this partition.
Click to expand...

That would be about it. I'd reckon on the Windows folder at around
1.8GB (if you do not keep Hotfix uninstalls, move ServicePackSourceFiles
away and compress the dllcache and driver cache), and my Program Files -
leaving out a few things that *could* have been put elsewhere - is about
1GB. Throw in 500MB for a sensible number of restore points and you are
looking at 3.3 to 3.5 GB

You might check the System Restore settings at Control Panel - System
- System restore, highlight the drive and Settings, and try 500 or 400
MB there (200 is minimum, but that is a *bit* thin) . And check in
Outlook Express - Tools - Maintenance - click Store Folder to move that
to a different disk.

And make sure in Power Options - Hibernation, that Hibernation is not
enabled - the size of the file sitting around in case you hibernate is
the size of RAM
 
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