Used space on hard drive.

Hi,
Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
England.
If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc. If I
right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig used.
If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it, Program
Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click them
and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used which I
think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but the
machine is telling me that I have.
I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from DV
camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted. I
usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of three
external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it still
tells me I have 75gig used.
Ay ideas?

TIA,
Alan.

The space is being taken up by system restore points. Vista will use up to
15% of your disk space for system restore points, but you can't see them
when you look at the properties of your C drive.

"Alan" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi,
> Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
> England.
> If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc. If
> I
> right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig used.
> If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it,
> Program
> Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click them
> and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used which
> I
> think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but
> the
> machine is telling me that I have.
> I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from DV
> camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted. I
> usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of three
> external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
> I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
> I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
> spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it
> still
> tells me I have 75gig used.
> Ay ideas?
>
> TIA,
> Alan.
>

Thanks for the reply, but I've already done that. I forgot to mention that
I've done that too, Disc Clean Up, Other Options, Remove all but the last
restore point, still tells me that I have 75G or so used when I know I
haven't.
The day before yesterday it was telling me that I had 120G used, I then
deleted 83G and it now says, as I said 75G used. It doesn't make sense.
Regards,
Alan.
"Ken Triebold" <> wrote in message
news:eB6N$$...
> The space is being taken up by system restore points. Vista will use up to
> 15% of your disk space for system restore points, but you can't see them
> when you look at the properties of your C drive.
>
> "Alan" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi,
>> Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
>> England.
>> If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc. If
>> I
>> right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig used.
>> If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it,
>> Program
>> Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click
>> them
>> and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used which
>> I
>> think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but
>> the
>> machine is telling me that I have.
>> I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from DV
>> camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted. I
>> usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of three
>> external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
>> I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
>> I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
>> spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it
>> still
>> tells me I have 75gig used.
>> Ay ideas?
>>
>> TIA,
>> Alan.
>>
>

Alan

One of the biggest culprits is the System Restore files. SR can use up to
15% of the whole drive or 30% of the free space on the drive. These are all
hidden system files.

You can delete all but the latest SR points using the Disk Cleanup utility.
Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools and click on Disk Cleanup.

Select the Files from All Users option.
Select the drive where Vista is installed.
Select all of the files you wish to delete.
Select the More Options Tab.
In the System Restore and Shadow Copies section, Select the Clean up Button.
Select Delete in the pop up dialog.
Click the Clean Up Tab.
Click OK.

You can control the amount of space used for SR. Go to the following website
for the instructions.

How to adjust disk space in Windows Vista:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/diskspacev.html


--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Alan" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi,
> Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
> England.
> If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc. If
> I
> right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig used.
> If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it,
> Program
> Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click them
> and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used which
> I
> think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but
> the
> machine is telling me that I have.
> I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from DV
> camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted. I
> usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of three
> external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
> I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
> I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
> spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it
> still
> tells me I have 75gig used.
> Ay ideas?
>
> TIA,
> Alan.
>

"Alan" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Thanks for the reply, but I've already done that. I forgot to mention that
> I've done that too, Disc Clean Up, Other Options, Remove all but the last
> restore point, still tells me that I have 75G or so used when I know I
> haven't.
> The day before yesterday it was telling me that I had 120G used, I then
> deleted 83G and it now says, as I said 75G used. It doesn't make sense.
> Regards,
> Alan.
> "Ken Triebold" <> wrote in message
> news:eB6N$$...
>> The space is being taken up by system restore points. Vista will use up
>> to 15% of your disk space for system restore points, but you can't see
>> them when you look at the properties of your C drive.
>>
>> "Alan" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Hi,
>>> Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
>>> England.
>>> If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc.
>>> If I
>>> right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig used.
>>> If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it,
>>> Program
>>> Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click
>>> them
>>> and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used
>>> which I
>>> think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but
>>> the
>>> machine is telling me that I have.
>>> I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from DV
>>> camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted. I
>>> usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of three
>>> external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
>>> I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
>>> I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
>>> spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it
>>> still
>>> tells me I have 75gig used.
>>> Ay ideas?
>>>
>>> TIA,
>>> Alan.
>>>

Dumb question, but gotta ask... have you emptied the recycle bin? (Didn't
see that in your list of things you've done to try to free up space...)

Lang

"Lang Murphy" <> wrote in message
news:...
> "Alan" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Thanks for the reply, but I've already done that. I forgot to mention
>> that I've done that too, Disc Clean Up, Other Options, Remove all but the
>> last restore point, still tells me that I have 75G or so used when I know
>> I haven't.
>> The day before yesterday it was telling me that I had 120G used, I then
>> deleted 83G and it now says, as I said 75G used. It doesn't make sense.
>> Regards,
>> Alan.
>> "Ken Triebold" <> wrote in message
>> news:eB6N$$...
>>> The space is being taken up by system restore points. Vista will use up
>>> to 15% of your disk space for system restore points, but you can't see
>>> them when you look at the properties of your C drive.
>>>
>>> "Alan" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Hi,
>>>> Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
>>>> England.
>>>> If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc.
>>>> If I
>>>> right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig
>>>> used.
>>>> If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it,
>>>> Program
>>>> Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click
>>>> them
>>>> and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used
>>>> which I
>>>> think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but
>>>> the
>>>> machine is telling me that I have.
>>>> I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from
>>>> DV
>>>> camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted.
>>>> I
>>>> usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of
>>>> three
>>>> external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
>>>> I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
>>>> I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
>>>> spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it
>>>> still
>>>> tells me I have 75gig used.
>>>> Ay ideas?
>>>>
>>>> TIA,
>>>> Alan.
>>>>
>
> Dumb question, but gotta ask... have you emptied the recycle bin? (Didn't
> see that in your list of things you've done to try to free up space...)
>
> Lang

Yes I have, Window Washer does that each time its run,
Alan.

I had already done that, but I just did it again and it only indicated that
about 4meg was to be gained. I deleted all but the last system restore point
and it's still telling me that I have 72gig used when I know I haven't. On
one occasion when I did that the used space actually went UP by about 5gigs.
As I said, if I right click the C drive icon and hit properties it tells me
75gig, but if I open it and select all the folders it contains and get
properties, it tells me 17.5gig. Hidden files and folders are set to be
visible.
I've done a *.* search which I believe shows every file on the machine and
no huge files show up. Properties on all these files shows 17.5gig again.
I'm at a loss as to what's going on!
Regards,
Alan.
"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
news:E7147C70-397A-4D0F-AE59-...
> Alan
>
> One of the biggest culprits is the System Restore files. SR can use up to
> 15% of the whole drive or 30% of the free space on the drive. These are
> all hidden system files.
>
> You can delete all but the latest SR points using the Disk Cleanup
> utility. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools and click on
> Disk Cleanup.
>
> Select the Files from All Users option.
> Select the drive where Vista is installed.
> Select all of the files you wish to delete.
> Select the More Options Tab.
> In the System Restore and Shadow Copies section, Select the Clean up
> Button.
> Select Delete in the pop up dialog.
> Click the Clean Up Tab.
> Click OK.
>
> You can control the amount of space used for SR. Go to the following
> website for the instructions.
>
> How to adjust disk space in Windows Vista:
> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/diskspacev.html
>
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Desktop Experience
>
>
> "Alan" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi,
>> Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
>> England.
>> If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc. If
>> I
>> right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig used.
>> If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it,
>> Program
>> Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click
>> them
>> and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used which
>> I
>> think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but
>> the
>> machine is telling me that I have.
>> I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from DV
>> camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted. I
>> usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of three
>> external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
>> I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
>> I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
>> spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it
>> still
>> tells me I have 75gig used.
>> Ay ideas?
>>
>> TIA,
>> Alan.
>>
>

Your problem is almost certainly with system restore files. You are not
going to see the system restore files even if you have hidden files and
folders set to be visible. Be sure you follow these instructions involving
the use of the vssadmin command that Ronnie Vernon supplied:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/diskspacev.html



"Alan" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I had already done that, but I just did it again and it only indicated that
>about 4meg was to be gained. I deleted all but the last system restore
>point and it's still telling me that I have 72gig used when I know I
>haven't. On one occasion when I did that the used space actually went UP by
>about 5gigs.
> As I said, if I right click the C drive icon and hit properties it tells
> me 75gig, but if I open it and select all the folders it contains and get
> properties, it tells me 17.5gig. Hidden files and folders are set to be
> visible.
> I've done a *.* search which I believe shows every file on the machine and
> no huge files show up. Properties on all these files shows 17.5gig again.
> I'm at a loss as to what's going on!
> Regards,
> Alan.
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
> news:E7147C70-397A-4D0F-AE59-...
>> Alan
>>
>> One of the biggest culprits is the System Restore files. SR can use up to
>> 15% of the whole drive or 30% of the free space on the drive. These are
>> all hidden system files.
>>
>> You can delete all but the latest SR points using the Disk Cleanup
>> utility. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools and click on
>> Disk Cleanup.
>>
>> Select the Files from All Users option.
>> Select the drive where Vista is installed.
>> Select all of the files you wish to delete.
>> Select the More Options Tab.
>> In the System Restore and Shadow Copies section, Select the Clean up
>> Button.
>> Select Delete in the pop up dialog.
>> Click the Clean Up Tab.
>> Click OK.
>>
>> You can control the amount of space used for SR. Go to the following
>> website for the instructions.
>>
>> How to adjust disk space in Windows Vista:
>> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/diskspacev.html
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Desktop Experience
>>
>>
>> "Alan" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Hi,
>>> Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
>>> England.
>>> If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc.
>>> If I
>>> right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig used.
>>> If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it,
>>> Program
>>> Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click
>>> them
>>> and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used
>>> which I
>>> think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but
>>> the
>>> machine is telling me that I have.
>>> I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from DV
>>> camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted. I
>>> usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of three
>>> external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
>>> I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
>>> I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
>>> spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it
>>> still
>>> tells me I have 75gig used.
>>> Ay ideas?
>>>
>>> TIA,
>>> Alan.
>>>
>>
>

Use a program such as ShowMan
<http://www.david-taylor.myby.co.uk/software/disk.html#ShowMan> or
SC-DiskInfo <http://www.soft-central.net/diskinfo.php> to tell you how
your disk is being used.

On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:19:44 -0000, "Alan" <>
wrote:

>I had already done that, but I just did it again and it only indicated that
>about 4meg was to be gained. I deleted all but the last system restore point
>and it's still telling me that I have 72gig used when I know I haven't. On
>one occasion when I did that the used space actually went UP by about 5gigs.
>As I said, if I right click the C drive icon and hit properties it tells me
>75gig, but if I open it and select all the folders it contains and get
>properties, it tells me 17.5gig. Hidden files and folders are set to be
>visible.
>I've done a *.* search which I believe shows every file on the machine and
>no huge files show up. Properties on all these files shows 17.5gig again.
>I'm at a loss as to what's going on!
>Regards,
>Alan.
>"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
>news:E7147C70-397A-4D0F-AE59-...
>> Alan
>>
>> One of the biggest culprits is the System Restore files. SR can use up to
>> 15% of the whole drive or 30% of the free space on the drive. These are
>> all hidden system files.
>>
>> You can delete all but the latest SR points using the Disk Cleanup
>> utility. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools and click on
>> Disk Cleanup.
>>
>> Select the Files from All Users option.
>> Select the drive where Vista is installed.
>> Select all of the files you wish to delete.
>> Select the More Options Tab.
>> In the System Restore and Shadow Copies section, Select the Clean up
>> Button.
>> Select Delete in the pop up dialog.
>> Click the Clean Up Tab.
>> Click OK.
>>
>> You can control the amount of space used for SR. Go to the following
>> website for the instructions.
>>
>> How to adjust disk space in Windows Vista:
>> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/diskspacev.html
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Desktop Experience
>>
>>
>> "Alan" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Hi,
>>> Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
>>> England.
>>> If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc. If
>>> I
>>> right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig used.
>>> If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it,
>>> Program
>>> Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click
>>> them
>>> and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used which
>>> I
>>> think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but
>>> the
>>> machine is telling me that I have.
>>> I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from DV
>>> camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted. I
>>> usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of three
>>> external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
>>> I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
>>> I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
>>> spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it
>>> still
>>> tells me I have 75gig used.
>>> Ay ideas?
>>>
>>> TIA,
>>> Alan.
>>>
>>

I ran Showman, (thanks for that) and it's telling me that there's 54gig in
the Recycle Bin! There's nothing showing in it and I've emptied it umpteen
times both manually and with Window Washer.
I have deleted huge files from external hard drives and I may not of emptied
the bin with the drive still connected, could that have anything to do with
it?
Regards,
Alan.
"andy" <bogusaddress@bogusaddress.123> wrote in message
news:...
> Use a program such as ShowMan
> <http://www.david-taylor.myby.co.uk/software/disk.html#ShowMan> or
> SC-DiskInfo <http://www.soft-central.net/diskinfo.php> to tell you how
> your disk is being used.
>
> On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:19:44 -0000, "Alan" <>
> wrote:
>
>>I had already done that, but I just did it again and it only indicated
>>that
>>about 4meg was to be gained. I deleted all but the last system restore
>>point
>>and it's still telling me that I have 72gig used when I know I haven't. On
>>one occasion when I did that the used space actually went UP by about
>>5gigs.
>>As I said, if I right click the C drive icon and hit properties it tells
>>me
>>75gig, but if I open it and select all the folders it contains and get
>>properties, it tells me 17.5gig. Hidden files and folders are set to be
>>visible.
>>I've done a *.* search which I believe shows every file on the machine and
>>no huge files show up. Properties on all these files shows 17.5gig again.
>>I'm at a loss as to what's going on!
>>Regards,
>>Alan.
>>"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
>>news:E7147C70-397A-4D0F-AE59-...
>>> Alan
>>>
>>> One of the biggest culprits is the System Restore files. SR can use up
>>> to
>>> 15% of the whole drive or 30% of the free space on the drive. These are
>>> all hidden system files.
>>>
>>> You can delete all but the latest SR points using the Disk Cleanup
>>> utility. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools and click on
>>> Disk Cleanup.
>>>
>>> Select the Files from All Users option.
>>> Select the drive where Vista is installed.
>>> Select all of the files you wish to delete.
>>> Select the More Options Tab.
>>> In the System Restore and Shadow Copies section, Select the Clean up
>>> Button.
>>> Select Delete in the pop up dialog.
>>> Click the Clean Up Tab.
>>> Click OK.
>>>
>>> You can control the amount of space used for SR. Go to the following
>>> website for the instructions.
>>>
>>> How to adjust disk space in Windows Vista:
>>> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/diskspacev.html
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Ronnie Vernon
>>> Microsoft MVP
>>> Windows Desktop Experience
>>>
>>>
>>> "Alan" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Hi,
>>>> Vista Home Premium, 1.8g processor with 1g RAM, Packard Bell machine in
>>>> England.
>>>> If I go 'Computer' I get the usual list of 'C drive', 'DVD drive' etc.
>>>> If
>>>> I
>>>> right click the C drive, properties, it tells me that I have 75gig
>>>> used.
>>>> If I then open the C drive folder and get the list of what's in it,
>>>> Program
>>>> Files, Users, Temp etc and highlight all of the contents, right click
>>>> them
>>>> and select 'Properties' again it tells me that I have 17.5gig used
>>>> which
>>>> I
>>>> think is about right. I know for sure that I don't have 75gig used, but
>>>> the
>>>> machine is telling me that I have.
>>>> I've put lots of massive video files (45g plus) onto the machine from
>>>> DV
>>>> camcorders and also from ripped DVD's but all these have been deleted.
>>>> I
>>>> usually edit these files as necessary then transfer them to one of
>>>> three
>>>> external hard drives, then delete them from the machine.
>>>> I use Webroot Window Washer to 'wash' the hard drive.
>>>> I've done everything that I know, defragging, virus checking (Norton),
>>>> spyware checking (AVG), washing empty space with Window Washer but it
>>>> still
>>>> tells me I have 75gig used.
>>>> Ay ideas?
>>>>
>>>> TIA,
>>>> Alan.
>>>>
>>>
>