9.2 GB Folder with unknown purpose in %programdata%

Hello,

I've been doing some hard disk cleanup and I ran into this folder in %programdata%. The folder itself consists of multiple sub directories of multiple sizes/content.

I can't seem to remove the folder(s) in any way allthough I'm admin on this machine. I tried to use FileShredder but that didn't work either. It just "shreds", pops up a message like "Some files couldn't be shredded" and says it's finished, but the folder content/size never changes.

I have a usable disk size of 118GB so 9.12GB wasted space is pretty significant/frustrating.

Any one who knows what I could try further?

If you follow down the sub-folders, what are the actual files which are taking up the space?

@sml156 I know, right? No but all jokes aside, I made a restore point and my important documents are back upped online. I can't say I'm afraid to mess anything up, and if I do: just another lesson learned.

DavidY said:

If you follow down the sub-folders, what are the actual files which are taking up the space?

A WinSxS folder (about 4GB), which seems important but could be decreased in size according to Microsoft.
Clean Up the WinSxS Folder

Problem is, that doesn't work. The last time it ran was apparently "30-11-1999", and clicking "run" in the task scheduler doesn't seem to do anything. Note: the system is a Dell Lattitude E5450, so 1999 doesn't add up.

Hi there

I'd advise taking a proper backup say with Macrium (Free) BEFORE messing around -- The Windows save image isn't 100% reliable and isn't of much use if the machine doesn't boot !!!!!.

Save the macrium image to external device -- With macrium you can make bootable recovery media so you can restore image even if your HDD / Windows syystem gets totally hosed up.

No good also having data on the cloud if you can't get to it either.

I'd always like really important stuff to be available locally too. Nothing wrong in having duplicate copies in different places though.

Sometimes some of those weird numbers are just various (Windows) KB updates that have been applied.

Check also you haven't got some Windows.old files around - these can be deleted via the properties (eigen**** I think in your diagram) when mapping the HDD's.

My advice here - if you've the time is to re-install Windows again. Note though always take regular backups --with good FREE programs and cheap media there's no excuse these days NOT TO. !!!! Macrium is probably the most popular on this site but there are others as well if you don't like that one.



Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Sometimes some of those weird numbers are just various updates that have been applied.

Thanks for the reply Jimbo.

Weird thing is, that I have a second E5450 laptop updated to the same Windows version (just did the Creators update last friday) and that one doesn't have any of those weird folders.

Hi there

@AJM94

You can then using Macrium image the second laptop and restore to the first --it will restore to different hardware.
On boot the first laptop will probably hunt around if it needs new drivers but it should work OK.

Probably far easier and quicker than re-installing Windows again. After boot change the computers name otherwise it will have same name as the second laptop -- even though on a network it will have a different IP address it's confusing if you have computers with the same name when browsing.

The digital licence will be maintained so you won't have to re-activate Windows again.

Tot Ziens !!!!!

Cheers
jimbo.