I have lots of space unaccounted for on my hard drive! Where did it go?!?!?

Question

I have a 60gb hard drive, and it says that I am using 50.7 gb of space, but when I select all the files (after changing the settings so that I see hidden files and folders too) and click properties, the total space I am actually using is 16.4gb. I would like my 35 gb back! I don't know what to do, I have done virus scans and everything and defragment doesn't do anything. How do I get this space back again that is just being wasted?

Answer 1

Reboot your system and start it in the Safe mod. Now go to Local Disk (C:) (according to your system drive), and then follow :

->click on tools on the top

->Folder Options

->select View tab

->scroll down and click "show hidden files..."

->uncheck "hide protected opera..."

->Now go to the properties of a hidden folder "System Volume Information"

->and in security tab disable all security system for your account

->click OK and open the folder

->Now delete all the mess over there

->Reboot your PC and launch window normally

HERE YOU ARE DONE!!!

It won't only give you some free space but will also increase PC's speed.

Answer 2

You have alloted too much space for the System Restore service or for the Recycle Bin or for the Virtual Memory (most probable).

To check system restore settings and change them, goto my computer's properties, from there open up the System Restore tab, and then click on settings and reduce the slider.

To check Recycle Bin, open up the properties of recycle bin, and reduce the amount.

To check for the Virtual Memory, goto My computer's properties from there click on 'Advanced' tab, click on settings of Performance, then reduce the amount of virtual memory available.

If you want to check your space in real! then in folder options also uncheck "Hide operating system files", this will also show you the system files along with your hidden files already, then you can analyse the problem more carefully.

Answer 3

I know you did a virus scan, but that's exactly what caused my pc to do the same thing. The virus just kept replicating itself and growing.

Maybe its your Antivirus software that isn't up to snuff.

Have you tired Avast and AVG?  You should.

Answer 4

Right click your hard drive in My Computer and click properties. Whatever it says you are using is true.

Answer 5

Have you tried running checkdisk or diskclean?  try defragging your HD.