System files taking up 85GB of storage space


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #1

    System files taking up 85GB of storage space


    Today I got a system notification on Windows 10 telling me that my C: drive is full, so I checked where most of the used space came from and found this.

    It seems like 85GB out of my 111GB drive are being occupied by system files, here you can see how 77GB are being used by "essential" system files.

    So I download and install TreeSize, and even when running it as administrator, it can only manage to tell me where 52GB out of those 111GB are, as you can see in this screenshot.

    Afterwards I ran cmd.exe as administrator and performed a disk check (CHKDSK C:), as you can see in the results, it shows that 99+% of my drive is currently being occupied. This amount is the same as the one shown in the first screenshot, and also in the Computer folder, as can be seen here.

    Finally I tried running the disk cleanup program, but even after selecting the "Clean up system files" option, less than 50MB can be cleared from the system (screenshot here). I also clicked on the option to delete all restoration points, but it did nothing so I assume there aren't any.

    Any ideas?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails System files taking up 85GB of storage space-cap2.jpg   System files taking up 85GB of storage space-cap3.jpg   System files taking up 85GB of storage space-cap4.jpg   System files taking up 85GB of storage space-cap5.jpg   System files taking up 85GB of storage space-cap6.jpg  

      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,656
    windows 10
       #2

    Welcome to the forum. Run storage space and see how much that removes tick old system files
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 45,942
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #3

    Hi, there are tutorials that can help you free space:
    Free Up Drive Space in Windows 10
    Free Up Disk Space Now with Storage Sense in Windows 10

    I prefer Wiztree to the outdated WinDirStat mentioned in the above:
    System files taking up 85GB of storage space-1.png

    Thsi may help you see where your space is used.

    I've set the colours so red marks files I might be interested in adding to Ccleaner's list should I so wish - here you can see some dmp files.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I can't even download the wiztree installer due to lack of space, and any space I make is filled instantly by more system files. I also tried changing the default location for downloads to my D drive (should do it automatically anyway since my downloads folder is in D), but I'm still unable to download the file.

    Edit: I also tried using storage sense but it doesn't provide any options to clear unwanted system files.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,492
    Windows 11 Home
       #5

    Check, if reserved storage is taking something. You can temporarily disable it, to regain some space.

    Enable or Disable Reserved Storage in Windows 10
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 45,942
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Cainenghis said:
    I can't even download the wiztree installer due to lack of space, and any space I make is filled instantly by more system files. I also tried changing the default location for downloads to my D drive (should do it automatically anyway since my downloads folder is in D), but I'm still unable to download the file.
    Edit: I also tried using storage sense but it doesn't provide any options to clear unwanted system files.
    Thank you very much for your reply.
    See the tutorial for options first.
    Do you have hibernation enabled? If so, disable it and save the space.


    Use the portable version and put it on a flash drive:
    Download Portable WizTree 3.36

    Likewise you could try ccleaner portable
    Download CCleaner Portable - MajorGeeks


      My Computers


  7. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    The ~50 extra GB completely disappeared after disabling reserved storage and running CCleaner basic cleanup (it's telling me it removed 1GB of unwanted files), so I pressume the problem was fixed?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 25,221
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.5737 (x64) [22H2]
       #8

    Cainenghis said:
    The ~50 extra GB completely disappeared after disabling reserved storage and running CCleaner basic cleanup (it's telling me it removed 1GB of unwanted files), so I pressume the problem was fixed?


    You may want to run Option Two, here... as well...

    Clean Up Component Store (WinSxS folder) in Windows 10
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8,045
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #9

    Also try Wise Disk Cleaner and delete the contents of this folder which may be several GB - C:\Windows\servicing\LCU. I would also run Driver Store Explorer (RAPR). Check the box for old drivers and consider deleting old drivers provided you check there is a newer one.
      My Computers


 

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