My C drive (an SSD) suddenly full. Can't see where in Win7.

[Matt_Stevens]

This is really annoying. Suddenly my 111GB SSD went red and now has less than 10GB free. A month ago it was near 20GB.

Despite my having Hidden Files and Folders viewable, I cannot find where the problem is because once I get into the folders that are huge, there is nothing to view.

Example, here is the Windows Folder and under properties it's 2.33GB in size with 32 folders.

Yet when I go inside that folder, there are just 17 folders and 361 MB.

This happens all over my C drive. There are numerous Folders that appear big, but when I go inside to investigate, well, they are just like the above example.

I've been on this since early this morning and cannot seem to find where all of this new stuff is stored. Naturally I have emptied the recycle bin, etc.

I'd appreciate some advice. Thanks.

 

[takeru]

are you using a page file on that ssd? if so check how big it's set.

 

[Arkaign]

Install WinDirStat (it's super tiny), and post a screenshot.

 

[Matt_Stevens]

I don't know how to check if I am using a page file. I recall when I set this up I had to choose but am not surewhat I did.

I'll look up WinDirStat in a bit.

Just found out my stupid F'n wife has SweetPacks on her user. Naturally it is proving iompossible to remove. It's not even listed undere Programs in Control Panel.

 

[takeru]

I don't know how to check if I am using a page file. I recall when I set this up I had to choose but am not surewhat I did.

run this:
C:\Windows\System32\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe

then go to 'advanced' tab and click 'change'. the 'virtual memory' window is your page file settings. whats that screenshot look like?

 

[Matt_Stevens]

OK, so it seems that pagefile.sys is 16GB and hiberfil.sys is 12 GB.

I have no idea what that means. Anyone care to elaborate?

It also appears that Outlook (from Office 2010) is sticking a huge backup on my C drive, despite my remembering to place it on my E drive. I have no idea how that happened or how to change it.

There is also a HUGE cache file from CS5 I found. It's not supposed to be there and I have gone to the Adobe forums to find out how best to clean or move it.

Between the Outlook and Adobe stuff, I will gain a lot of room.

Also, stupid bleeping iTunes has a ton of crap on my drive. That's due to my wife. Apparently last week she backed up her phone. Instant GB's added.

 

[takeru]

http://lifehacker.com/5802838/how-to-maximize-the-life-of-your-ssd

may be a good idea to run through this

 

[BlitzPuppet]

OK, so it seems that pagefile.sys is 16GB and hiberfil.sys is 12 GB.

I have no idea what that means. Anyone care to elaborate?

It also appears that Outlook (from Office 2010) is sticking a huge backup on my C drive, despite my remembering to place it on my E drive. I have no idea how that happened or how to change it.

There is also a HUGE cache file from CS5 I found. It's not supposed to be there and I have gone to the Adobe forums to find out how best to clean or move it.

Between the Outlook and Adobe stuff, I will gain a lot of room.

Also, stupid bleeping iTunes has a ton of crap on my drive. That's due to my wife. Apparently last week she backed up her phone. Instant GB's added.

Pagefile is virtual memory, I'd tone it down to around 2GB (I assume it's auto configured and that you have 8GB of RAM. If not let us know) in your System properties under Control panel.

Hiberfil is the file your computer uses when it hibernates. I have that turned off on my PC since I don't ever hibernate/don't ever want to.

That should give you some breathing room as the only other major offenders are your documents/files.

 

[mikeymikec]

Responding to OP, I think the Temporary Internet Files folder is in there. Try clearing it (Control Panel > Internet Properties)?

Sometimes if a large file is being downloaded it sometimes stays in the cache.

In that first location are the Windows thumbnail cache files as well.

- edit - I've heard of that utility before, this is the first time I've tried it. Quite handy! Thanks.