Thank you for you replies. I have tried some of the suggestions, but my system (Windows XP)seems to want to keep the hidden files to itself in spite of my following very carefully the instructions for revealing them, (Control Panel/Folder Options/View etc). Using the command "dir etc" in the Command Prompt window gave a total of about 79000 files on the C: drive but NortonAntivirus checked 129000. I presume that the extra files were the hidden ones in "Dir ." and "Dir .." as listed in the Command Prompt window.
NAV will tell you how many files it has scanned, but if you set it to scan within zip (compressed) files or if you have excluded some folders or files from the scan (for example I've excluded c:\system volume information from my routine scans), that may not be the same number as you get from other methods.
Instead of right clicking on C, click properties (which on my system does not say anything about number of files and folders) you could right click on each folder in the C:\ tree (no need to include the subfolders; e.g. C:\Windows will give info including all its subfolders) click properties, it will tell you how many files and folders each contains. Then add them up; I my case I have about 16 folders under C:\, so it would not be too much of a task to add them.
Of course the number of files will also vary from time to time depending on such things as how many restore points you have (I currently have over 12800 files in there), whether you cleaned out your temporary internet folder, etc.
To RichardLusignan: Thanks for your reply, it was very helpful but the method you describe still gives a total less than that given by Norton Antivirus.
To JRosenfeld: Thank you for your reply. The reason for trying to determine the total number of files is that this computer has been running slowly for several weeks even after using disc cleanup. Thus, I have been trying to find other ways of deleting files. Not only that, I have noticed that the total number of files seems to have increased very rapidly, sometimes out of proportion to the amount of use or number of new programs saved. Currently there is about 44% free space on the C: drive.
I think I have probably reached the end of the line for this topic.
Having a large number of files does not of itself generally slow down a PC, but file fragmentation does, so defrag the drive if you have not already done so.
Have you scanned for malware/spyware/adware (not the same as viruses)? These are a common cause for the PC to slow down.
If you don't have them, download the free software: Adaware SE, Spybot S&D and if you like the MS Antispyware (that is in beta, does not as yet scan cookies).
After installing and before scanning, check for updates. The reason for using several is that their databases contain different sets of malware, so one may find something the other does not.
To JRosenfeld: Thank you for your reply. I have both Ad-aware, Spybot and Regedit on this computer, Dimension 4500, and run them at regular intervals. I have also installed Ccleaner which enables me to selectively remove redundant files which Cleanup does not find. This latter program has helped to speed up the system. Pitstop now gives the computer a clean bill of health.
RichardLusignan
269 Posts
0
January 21st, 2005 15:00
There may be a simpler way, but what comes to my mind is:
- first, show system and hidden files in Windows folder options.
- then open My Computer and navigate to C: drive, open it
- select all files and folders (using CTRL+A) and right-click and choose properties
- wait a couple of seconds and check the number of files and folders
I'm not entirely sure that it will show ALL of the files thought...
Hoping this helps,
Rick
joat77
110 Posts
0
January 22nd, 2005 00:00
You may also try opening a command prompt window:
Press windows key R. In the Run line type cmd to open a command window and type the following dos syntax:
dir /a /s [enter]
You can also type dir /a /s > c:\allfiles.txt ( this will create a text file named allfiles.txt on C:\)
Note: this text file can be quite large!
Dave Lyle
2 Intern
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2K Posts
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January 22nd, 2005 03:00
thyde
2 Intern
•
280 Posts
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January 22nd, 2005 17:00
Thank you for you replies. I have tried some of the suggestions, but my system (Windows XP)seems to want to keep the hidden files to itself in spite of my following very carefully the instructions for revealing them, (Control Panel/Folder Options/View etc). Using the command "dir etc" in the Command Prompt window gave a total of about 79000 files on the C: drive but NortonAntivirus checked 129000. I presume that the extra files were the hidden ones in "Dir ." and "Dir .." as listed in the Command Prompt window.
T.Hyde
JRosenfeld
2 Intern
•
4.4K Posts
0
January 22nd, 2005 18:00
NAV will tell you how many files it has scanned, but if you set it to scan within zip (compressed) files or if you have excluded some folders or files from the scan (for example I've excluded c:\system volume information from my routine scans), that may not be the same number as you get from other methods.
Instead of right clicking on C, click properties (which on my system does not say anything about number of files and folders) you could right click on each folder in the C:\ tree (no need to include the subfolders; e.g. C:\Windows will give info including all its subfolders) click properties, it will tell you how many files and folders each contains. Then add them up; I my case I have about 16 folders under C:\, so it would not be too much of a task to add them.
Of course the number of files will also vary from time to time depending on such things as how many restore points you have (I currently have over 12800 files in there), whether you cleaned out your temporary internet folder, etc.
Just curious: why do you want to know?
RichardLusignan
269 Posts
0
January 22nd, 2005 18:00
I've noticed that it shows the total number of files in the report that the Disk Defragmenter produces, you may want to try that.
Open Disk Defrag., click Analyze and then Show Report. It will show the total number of files in the upper window of the report.
Regards,
Rick
thyde
2 Intern
•
280 Posts
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January 23rd, 2005 06:00
To RichardLusignan: Thanks for your reply, it was very helpful but the method you describe still gives a total less than that given by Norton Antivirus.
T.Hyde
thyde
2 Intern
•
280 Posts
0
January 23rd, 2005 06:00
To JRosenfeld: Thank you for your reply. The reason for trying to determine the total number of files is that this computer has been running slowly for several weeks even after using disc cleanup. Thus, I have been trying to find other ways of deleting files. Not only that, I have noticed that the total number of files seems to have increased very rapidly, sometimes out of proportion to the amount of use or number of new programs saved. Currently there is about 44% free space on the C: drive.
I think I have probably reached the end of the line for this topic.
T.Hyde
JRosenfeld
2 Intern
•
4.4K Posts
0
January 23rd, 2005 15:00
Have you scanned for malware/spyware/adware (not the same as viruses)? These are a common cause for the PC to slow down.
If you don't have them, download the free software: Adaware SE, Spybot S&D and if you like the MS Antispyware (that is in beta, does not as yet scan cookies).
After installing and before scanning, check for updates. The reason for using several is that their databases contain different sets of malware, so one may find something the other does not.
thyde
2 Intern
•
280 Posts
0
January 25th, 2005 20:00
To JRosenfeld: Thank you for your reply. I have both Ad-aware, Spybot and Regedit on this computer, Dimension 4500, and run them at regular intervals. I have also installed Ccleaner which enables me to selectively remove redundant files which Cleanup does not find. This latter program has helped to speed up the system. Pitstop now gives the computer a clean bill of health.
T.Hyde