Storage space randomly disappearing, any ideas?

[jimbob200521]

So my main rig's SSD keeps losing space and periodically I have to keep going into the directory below (C:\Windows\Temp) and deleting these random cab files that keep piling up? Anyone had this happen before or know why this is happening? It'd be great to keep the space eating files off my system without having to go in and delete them every week or so...

Edit: And I know one explanation is Windows updates but I don't get weekly update installs so I'm pretty sure it's not from that. Besides, I have it set to manual so updates won't get installed without my ok.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Sounds like background malware downloading more junk?

 

[Ketchup]

It sounds like you have Windows set to never check for updates, which no longer deters critical updates. Similar thread here:
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/why-is-my-windows-7-updating-when-i-have-it-set-not-to.2495921/
You can either delete the files or use disk cleanup to run Windows Update Cleanup.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

They are related to Windows update. You can dump them safely. MS changed something fairly recently to cause these to be generated and (seemingly) not removed.

Having said that, I don't see it appearing on all systems (work network), but they do appear. I'm sure there's something broken/buggy on the workstations it happens with.

 

[piasabird]

I wander if this is from windows backup and restore. For instance if you install something it might be making a restore point or something in the OS may be making a restore point that you dont need. You might also turn off all the file retention and historical data or set it to only save things for a set number of days like zero or higher. Also you could change the space settings for files to be saved.

Some other things could be saving files like that like some downlaod program that was installed when you installed a game. If the down load fails it may keep trying and you end up with a bunch of CAB files.

I wonder if this happens because some update fails to install and then windows just keeps downloading it over and over. I have seen this happen before. Sometimes anti-virus software keeps an update from installing and you have to temporarily turn it off.

 

[jimbob200521]

I wander if this is from windows backup and restore. For instance if you install something it might be making a restore point or something in the OS may be making a restore point that you dont need. You might also turn off all the file retention and historical data or set it to only save things for a set number of days like zero or higher. Also you could change the space settings for files to be saved.

Some other things could be saving files like that like some downlaod program that was installed when you installed a game. If the down load fails it may keep trying and you end up with a bunch of CAB files.

I wonder if this happens because some update fails to install and then windows just keeps downloading it over and over. I have seen this happen before. Sometimes anti-virus software keeps an update from installing and you have to temporarily turn it off.

Good thoughts but I don't believe it to be from some kind of backup/restore/restore point as I have that all totally disabled on my PC. As for failing updates, Windows has never TOLD me that it's failed an update and I have them set to manual so it shouldn't be doing any kind of background updating...key word there is it SHOULDN'T be.