Why is size of Windows folder in directory HUGE

[Guest]

I'm running WinXP SP2. I've got a 33 GB harddrive and when I look at the size
of the Windows folder, using Explorer, its size is 21.1 GB! If I look at each
of the files and folders in the Windows directory, they don't come close to
21.1 GB.

I'm thinking of buying a 300 GB HD but am wondering if there's something
amiss in the current HD.

Any ideas?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm running WinXP SP2. I've got a 33 GB harddrive and when I look at
the size of the Windows folder, using Explorer, its size is 21.1 GB!
If I look at each of the files and folders in the Windows directory,
they don't come close to
21.1 GB.

In My Computer, go to Tools | Folder Options, and click on the View tab.
Under Hidden files and Folders, click the radio button "Show hidden files
and folders. Also uncheck the box "Hide protected .operating system files
(Recommended)."

That will show you all that's there.

Also be aware of the following: Space is allocated on disk drives in units
called clusters. The size of the cluster varies with the file system, and
sometimes with the size of the partition.

If you're using NTFS, your cluster size is probably 4K. That means that
every file between 1 byte and 4096 bytes (size) uses one cluster, 4096 bytes
(size on disk). Every file between 4097 bytes and 8192 bytes uses two
clusters, 8192 bytes, and so on.

The difference between the size and the size on disk is called "cluster
overhang" or "slack," and that accounts for part of the difference in the
two numbers you see. With FAT32 the cluster size will be larger and there
will be even more space lost to slack.

However 21.1GB is extremely large for the Windows folder. Most people's
Windows folder is much smaller.

 

[P D Sterling]

Gaw, I can't understand how you can stand being so smart. I never look at
these freeping folder options unless installing or in pain. Many, many
thanx - you are invited over at 2pm for spaghetti
--
Regards,

P D Sterling
www.pdsterling.com
214/520-6655 voice
214/550-2618 FAX

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Ted

It should be below 5 gb.

To investigate how you are using hard disk space you need to make sure that
you can see all files. Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, View,
Advanced Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden files and
folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system files " is
unchecked. You may need to scroll down to see the second item. You should
also make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known file types"
is not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View, Details is selected
and then select View, Choose Details and check before Name, Type, Total
Size, and Free Space.

You still will not see the System Volume Information folder.
How to Gain Access to the System Volume Information Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;309531

FileSize -a useful tool for use with Windows Explorer when investigating how
disk space is being used.
http://markd.mvps.org/

The download link is not obvious. Click the here in the two sentences of the
web page accessed through the link above. "I can't count the number of times
someone has asked for this. So here is a module you can install that shows a
Folder Size column in Explorer."

To increase you free space on your C select Start, All Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp, More Options, System Restore and
remove all but the latest System Restore points? Restore points can be quite
large.

You should use Disk CleanUp regularly to Empty your Recycle Bin and
Remove Temporary Internet Files. Whenever you remove redundant files you
should always run Disk Defragmenter by selecting Start, All Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter.

It is likely that an allocation of 12% has been made to System Restore on
your C partition which is over generous. I would reduce it to 700 mb. Right
click your My Computer icon on the Desktop and select System Restore.
Place the cursor on your C drive select Settings but this time find the
slider and drag it to the left until it reads 700 mb and exit. When you get
to the Settings screen click on Apply and OK and exit.

Are you using any Norton Utilities?

If your hard drive is formatted as NTFS another potential gain arises with
your operating system on your C drive. In the Windows Directory of your
C partition you will have some Uninstall folders in your Windows folder
typically: $NtServicePackUninstall$ and $NtUninstallKB282010$ etc.

These files may be compressed or not compressed. If compressed the
text of the folder name appears in blue characters. If not compressed
you can compress them. Right click on each folder and select Properties,
General, Advanced and check the box before Compress contents to
save Disk Space. On the General Tab you can see the amount gained
by deducting the size on disk from the size. Folder compression is
only an option on a NTFS formatted drive / partition.

Another default setting on a large drive which could be wasteful is that for
temporary internet files especially if you do not store offline copies on
disk. The default allocation is 3% of drive. Depending on your attitude to
offline copies you could reduce this to 1% or 2%. In Internet Explorer
select Tools, Internet Options, General, Temporary Internet Files, Settings
to make the change. At the same time look at the number of days history
is held.

The default allocation for the Recycle Bin is 10 % of drive. On your drive
5% should be sufficient. In Windows Explorer place the cursor on your
Recycle Bin, right click and select Properties, Global and move the slider
from 10% to 5%.


--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~