Giving Vista another go, how to gain free space?

Rackerz · 29 Apr 2008 at 15:05

I stopped using Vista and went back to XP but miss Vista x64, it was quick and I liked the way SuperFetch worked in general. I don't have the biggest hard drive so I'm wondering how I can gather up all the free space I can?

Thanks

RobH · 29 Apr 2008 at 15:28

Turning off System Restore/Shadow Copy will free up a chunk of space that normally gets filled, also turning off hibernation will stop a huge hiberfile.sys being created. Running Disk Clenup regulary will also allow you to free up space thats used for various things. Aside from these normal things there is also a program called vlite which allows you to modify what gets installed with the OS but you need to run this on the ISO of the installation disk before you install.

zytok · 29 Apr 2008 at 15:46

depending how much RAM you have consider reducing the size of the swap file. Tweakguides.com suggests about half of your total RAM including any ready boost as a fixed file preferably on a separate drive to the OS. To disable hibernation, you need to do it in drive cleanup. Simply changing the power settings does not work.

uv · 29 Apr 2008 at 16:01

use vLite to remove components pre install

Snakedoctor · 29 Apr 2008 at 16:05

zytok said:
depending how much RAM you have consider reducing the size of the swap file. Tweakguides.com suggests about half of your total RAM including any ready boost as a fixed file preferably on a separate drive to the OS. To disable hibernation, you need to do it in drive cleanup. Simply changing the power settings does not work.

I really would leave the swap file alone if I were you. Let windows manage it.

cavemanoc · 30 Apr 2008 at 10:59

Don't forget your recycle bin - the default 10% is huge - I set mine to 1% - that's a 45Gb saving for me

EVILCOSMOS · 30 Apr 2008 at 11:12

Once you have finished all the automatic updates for windows go into

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

and delete its contents. This is where the automatic updates are downloaded to before installation and are not needed afterwards - this should give you over 1GB back.

cavemanoc · 30 Apr 2008 at 12:54

You might also consider something like Ashampoo Winoptimiser or CCleaner - They both have pretty good cleaners built in, but CCleaner can be a bit aggressive for my tastes!

zytok · 30 Apr 2008 at 16:01

Turophobic said:
I really would leave the swap file alone if I were you. Let windows manage it.

Why? There have traditionally been advantages in moving the swap file and setting fixed sizes.....
I realise that Vista memory management is better than XP but leaving things on auto is not always for the best.