There are a number of possible culprits taking up real estate, including
System Restore, OEM installed junk, and files, docs, previously installed
programs in the Windows.old folder if you upgraded with existing files and
folders, and the Recycle Bin.
While 17gb is a lot of space, I've seen multiple folders people weren't
aware of on their boxes in the few GB range.
Obviously, movies and pics and music take up varying amounts of space. When
you delete files, don't send them to the recycle bin, but hit shift+delete.
As I said check what's in the RB and right click it and delete the contents.
Type %temp% in the run box and delete all temp files. There are sometimes
other files and folders not needed that take up space. If you search the
web archives, you can find Dx Hog Hunt, one of many programs that will scan
your drive and display all files and folders on C:\ and the space they
occupy.
There are also a number of free online storage sites like
www.xdrive.com or
Tree Size
http://www.jam-software.com/freeware/index.shtml
Also see:
Free Up Space on Vista
http://cnettv.cnet.com/2001-1_53-50004383.html
Good luck,
CH
"ej" <> wrote in message
news

989C539-496D-431D-8516-...
>I have the same problem.
> It has been happening since when I put the computer unplugged when not in
> use...
> --
> it is not given to man to tax and to please, no more than to love and to
> be
> wise
>
>
> "AB" wrote:
>
>> I have a total of around 196 GB of hard disk space in my c:// drive and
>> no
>> data in it at all instead of my operating system(vista) and other
>> installation files. every 1 or 2 days, my free hard disk space on this
>> drive
>> becomes less even though i am not saving anything at all on this drive,
>> The
>> total of all the files including all hidden system file is also
>> different(Less) than the total total used space on my hard-disk. I have
>> had a
>> disk cleanup, cleaned internet files and cookies.The automatic file back
>> up
>> system in system tools is also turned off. The problem has already
>> consumed
>> nearly 15 - 17 gb of my hard disk space and still continuing to do so as
>> i
>> keep using my computer,. PLease help...