Where has my Hard Drive space gone?

Question

I just received a message that my hard drive space is low. I have 120gig. I've used the clean sweep programs, but I've only gained a few gig. I have approx. 20 gig in My Docs, mainly in photos and music. As far as I tell, the biggest program I am running requires 4 gig. Other than that, I thought I could try to find the cuprit, but I cannot. Any ideas? Thanks for the help.

BigBrother · Answer

EJAnton,

On occasion, the System Restore folder can grow to an extremely large size. Windows is supposed to limit the size of the restore folder, but we are talking about Microsoft Windows. You can see how large the restore folder is on your system. It is in the \windows\system32 folder on your hard drive. You can right click on it in Windows Explorer and check it's size. If it is extremely large, do not delete it. You should disable System Restore, and restart your computer. This will delete the information in the restore folder. After you restart your computer, you can re-enable System Restore.

To disable System Restore, click Start->Run and type in MSCONFIG. Click OK. You will be able to change the System Restore settings with the link on the left half of the window. Click that link and then put a check mark in the box to disable system restore for all drives. Click Appy, and OK.

Steve

nansworld · Answer

This may sound like a dumb question, but how does one access the windows/system32folder to check its size since I have this same problem?  Thanks, Nansworld

BigBrother · Answer

nansworld, Click Start->Run and type in 'C:\Windows\System32' and press .  Or you can use Windows Explorer to navigate the folder tree of your 'C' drive to find that folder.    Steve

nansworld · Answer

I tried to access the folder from the RUN location but get the message 'C:Windows refers to a location that is unavailable.'  Advice?

osprey4 · Answer

Try this. Right click My Computer, select Properties, then the System Restore folder. Click you hard drive and then the Settings button. Turn the Disk space usage slider down a couple notches, to about 6-8%, then click OK twice. Reboot and see how your space situation looks.

BigBrother · Answer

nansworld,   Even if you cannot access the folder just to check on it's size, you can still turn off the System Restore feature.  This will delete the System Restore points and free up that hard drive space.  You should re-enable the system restore feature again after restaring the computer.  System Restore is a valuable feature of Windows ME and XP.   You can find information on managing System Restore in Help and Support on the Start Menu.    Steve

nansworld · Answer

When I click on My Computer, Properties, then the only info I get is 'Device Manager, Hardware Profiles, Performance.'  Clicking on these headings do not get me to System Restore.  Advice?

BigBrother · Answer

nansworld,

Do you have Windows ME or Windows XP installed on your system? If so, you can access system restore by clicking on Start->Run and entering MSCONFIG. Click OK and then click the System Restore button near the bottom of the MSConfig window.

Steve

BigBrother · Answer

nansworld, What version of Windows are you running?  Win ME or XP? Steve

nansworld · Answer

I am not trying to do a system restore which is where your instructions take me-I am only trying to get to the place where i can see how much Systems Restore has used of my hard  drive but I don't know how to access that info.

nansworld · Answer

Windows ME

BigBrother · Answer

nansworld,   With Windows ME, the system restore folder is stored in the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM folder.  To access the folder, you can navigate to it through Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer).  Click Start->Run and type in 'explorer'.  Click OK.  Windows Explorer should open for you.  Use the '+' sign to open the 'My Computer' in the left panel; open the 'C' drive, scroll down to the Windows folder and open it with the '+' sign.  Find the Restore folder (or _Restore), right click on it and click properties.  It should tell you the size of the folder.   Steve

nansworld · Answer

I appreciate your help-I went all the way to the 'C'drive, opened it with the '+' sign and did not find any Restore folder.  I clicked on a number of folders but found nothing for restore.  What else could it be under?  Thanks again.  Nancy

BigBrother · Answer

nansworld,   If you do not find it where it should be, use the Windows Search feature to find 'restore'.  It will find the folder for you.  If you do not have a Restore folder, then the System Restore feature on your computer has been turned off.    Steve

nansworld · Answer

Steve,

I did find the Systems Restore Folder and it takes me to "Welcome to Systems Restore" where I have the option to restore my system to a previous date. There is no indication in this folder of the amount of disc space used or any options to do anything other than restore my system. Guess I am unable to accomplish your suggestion for increasing hard drive space. thanks anyways. Nancy

Storage, Drives & Media

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