Unknown Disk Usage

Matt316 · 12 Jun 2021

Hi,

I have a 128GB (120GB?) SSD as my C: drive and a 3TB HDD as my D: drive. I put virtually all my programs and data on the D: drive and have the SSD as a fast boot up with the essentials. Just lately, though, the SSD has been showing as nearly full: 106GB out of the max 117GB. However, when I check the usage by checking the properties of each of the main folders, the total only adds up to 71GB, leaving 35GB unaccounted for. The folder properties is set to displaying all hidden information. I have two accounts - mine and the admin, which is virtually unused and I accept this may take up a small amount of hidden info. I would try to delete unnecessary items or move any unimportant programs to the D: drive as most of them are, but the program file folders on the C: drive are relatively small, and the update folder is also small. I cannot figure out where the extra usage is. Any ideas?

Matt

Callender · 12 Jun 2021

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldne...28-00/?p=36863

Check size using something other than explorer.

WizTree - The Fastest Disk Space Analyser

dalchina · 12 Jun 2021

Note: (nothing to do with the space problem directly):

I put virtually all my programs.. on the D: drive

If you're referring to traditional desktop programs (exe/dll...) - this is only meaningful if they are truly portable.

If you've installed programs with install path somewhere on D: this usually does NOT mean the whole prog - folders- reside on D: Many programs create folders on C: and of course start menu entries and registry keys.

This can become a maintenance nightmare in some circumstances - so I hope this isn't what you've done.

What %ge of the program ends up on D: depends entirely on its structure.

Matt316 · 12 Jun 2021

Absolutely dalchina. This I understand. When I install a program, I determine whether it will need to be accessed quickly and/or often. If so, it will usually be installed into the C:\Program Files [/] (x86) folder. Otherwise, it will be installed in a user created D:\Program Files folder. Apart from one or two programs, this has always worked satisfactorily. The software currently on the C: drive are mainly Windows and other software that requires quick start, etc.

Glary Utility states:
Total Bytes : 126,494,961,664 BBytes Free : 11,119,235,072 BBytes Used : 115,375,726,592 B

Macrium Reflect reports similar findings.

Just looked at System settings, which give the same figures. However, I looked at the usage/system and reserved. It states that 23GB is being used as System Restore. I can turn this off or reduce the usage, but there is still around 12GB unaccounted for.

dalchina · 12 Jun 2021

As Callender says, try Wiztree and post a screenshot. Good prog.

This I understand. When I install a program, I determine whether it will need to be accessed quickly and/or often.

We're referring to different things. You're thinking about speed (which is what paging and compressed memory deal with for you) whilst I'm talking about space- size on disk- and how that's distributed.

But first, Wiztree...

Matt316 · 12 Jun 2021

I don't particularly want to install anything else that I'm not familiar with. How would Wiztree be any different to these others?

Callender · 12 Jun 2021

It doesn't count hard links.

Helmut · 12 Jun 2021

Put in a 1 TB SSD.
128 GB is useless these days, save yourself the worry and work.

Matt316 · 12 Jun 2021

Thanks, Helmut. You assume I have the cash.

Megahertz · 12 Jun 2021

Matt316 said:

I don't particularly want to install anything else that I'm not familiar with. How would Wiztree be any different to these others?

Win 10 has many bugs. One of them is that Explorer doesn't always show the correct size.

Did you cleaned the temporary folders (C:\windows\temp and c:\users"name"\AppData\Local\Temp)?
Run disk cleanup (%windir%\system32\cleanmgr.exe)