Too much Hard Drive Space Lost

[RelexCryo]

I have gone from 84 gigs free memory to 51.3 in the last 2 months, despite only downloading, to my knowledge, roughly 1 gig of data to my harddrive in that time. I am currently scanning system now.

Obviously, something is wrong on my computer, but I am not sure what to do about it. Suggestions?

 

[Tharwen]

You're using Windows, which will always expand and take up as much space as possible.

Try downloading [a href="http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner"]CCleaner[/a] and running it. If you're lucky it might free up a couple of gigs.

Beyond that, I can only suggest reinstalling Windows or not using it at all.

 

[Entropyutd]

I am going to assume by your question you are not exactly computer savvy.

Windows uses a lot of storage space and there can be many factors as to why this can increase drastically.

1. Internet Cache. I assume you browse, and all that goat porn is usually downloaded and stored, at least untill you empty the cache.
You can set your computer to automatically empty this everytime you close the browser.
At modern speeds a cache is defunct anyway, it's orginal purpose was intended for modem speeds.
Ah 14.4kbps, those were the days.

2. Standard email, again, those 3 penis boosting mails a day that make you feel inadequate, or those 4 emails from genuine Russian ladies who make you feel so loved, they all add up.
Empty your mail folders.

3. Windows update, this little bugger does not care if you will never use a function, if there is an update for it, chances are you are getting it.
Windows update does not feel remorse, or pity, and it absolutely will not stop, ever.
You can alter the settings and choose to only install the updates you actually need.

4. Virtual memory, I believe the default setting is to allow windows to manage it automatically, which basically means you are allowing your system to use whatever hard drive space it deems necesarry to run.
You might want to check it out.

5. Malware, chances are if you have any blood pumping at all, you have ocassionally been to some sites that would make a whore blush. Scan for malware/adware on a regular basis.

6. Restore point.
Everytime you change something, Windows will create a restore point, and whilst it is not always a good idea to turn this function off, it does use space.
I generally do a manual restore point prior to installing updates or software.

It seems that if you only actively download a gig in 2 months then you probably have a stable system.
The thing that prevents many of us from just simply reinstalling Windows every time something goes wrong is the amount of data we generally do download. (Music, movies, etc)

You might want to consider just doing a clean install, back up the stuff you need on a pen drive, a DVD or even use online storage.
I do this every 6 months anyway, it's just common sense.

 

[RelexCryo]

You're using Windows, which will always expand and take up as much space as possible.

Try downloading [a href="http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner"]CCleaner[/a] and running it. If you're lucky it might free up a couple of gigs.

Beyond that, I can only suggest reinstalling Windows or not using it at all.

My credit card payment didn't go through, I called them and they told me my credit card supplier would not authorize the payment. Do you know of any credit card companies that will actually authorize it?

 

[Tharwen]

You're using Windows, which will always expand and take up as much space as possible.

Try downloading [a href="http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner"]CCleaner[/a] and running it. If you're lucky it might free up a couple of gigs.

Beyond that, I can only suggest reinstalling Windows or not using it at all.

My credit card payment didn't go through, I called them and they told me my credit card supplier would not authorize the payment. Do you know of any credit card companies that will actually authorize it?

Just get the free version. The full version has almost no extra benefits and almost certainly isn't worth it.

 

[RelexCryo]

You're using Windows, which will always expand and take up as much space as possible.

Try downloading [a href="http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner"]CCleaner[/a] and running it. If you're lucky it might free up a couple of gigs.

Beyond that, I can only suggest reinstalling Windows or not using it at all.

My credit card payment didn't go through, I called them and they told me my credit card supplier would not authorize the payment. Do you know of any credit card companies that will actually authorize it?

If you look just below the payment thing, you'll notice download links for the free version. The payment would be for additional support, and you probably don't need that.

Thanks, I didn't see that. Much appreciated.

 

[Erana]

I am going to assume by your question you are not exactly computer savvy.

Windows uses a lot of storage space and there can be many factors as to why this can increase drastically.

1. Internet Cache. I assume you browse, and all that goat porn is usually downloaded and stored, at least untill you empty the cache.
You can set your computer to automatically empty this everytime you close the browser.
At modern speeds a cache is defunct anyway, it's orginal purpose was intended for modem speeds.
Ah 14.4kbps, those were the days.

2. Standard email, again, those 3 penis boosting mails a day that make you feel inadequate, or those 4 emails from genuine Russian ladies who make you feel so loved, they all add up.
Empty your mail folders.

3. Windows update, this little bugger does not care if you will never use a function, if there is an update for it, chances are you are getting it.
Windows update does not feel remorse, or pity, and it absolutely will not stop, ever.
You can alter the settings and choose to only install the updates you actually need.

4. Virtual memory, I believe the default setting is to allow windows to manage it automatically, which basically means you are allowing your system to use whatever hard drive space it deems necesarry to run.
You might want to check it out.

5. Malware, chances are if you have any blood pumping at all, you have ocassionally been to some sites that would make a whore blush. Scan for malware/adware on a regular basis.

6. Restore point.
Everytime you change something, Windows will create a restore point, and whilst it is not always a good idea to turn this function off, it does use space.
I generally do a manual restore point prior to installing updates or software.

It seems that if you only actively download a gig in 2 months then you probably have a stable system.
The thing that prevents many of us from just simply reinstalling Windows every time something goes wrong is the amount of data we generally do download. (Music, movies, etc)

You might want to consider just doing a clean install, back up the stuff you need on a pen drive, a DVD or even use online storage.
I do this every 6 months anyway, it's just common sense.

And, of course, empty the trash. Or Recycle Bin, for all the people more sane than I in their choice of OS.

 

[RelexCryo]

You're using Windows, which will always expand and take up as much space as possible.

Try downloading [a href="http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner"]CCleaner[/a] and running it. If you're lucky it might free up a couple of gigs.

Beyond that, I can only suggest reinstalling Windows or not using it at all.

Thanks, it cleared up 16 gigs!

 

[Tharwen]

You're using Windows, which will always expand and take up as much space as possible.

Try downloading [a href="http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner"]CCleaner[/a] and running it. If you're lucky it might free up a couple of gigs.

Beyond that, I can only suggest reinstalling Windows or not using it at all.

Thanks, it cleared up 16 gigs!

Awesome! It's a really useful bit of software.