Vista 64-bit: OS disk full(!), any tips on cleanup?

Blair

Blair

Blair

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19 Nov 2002
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476
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Warwick
Hi all,

Long time no post. Directly related to the amount of time since I built my last system 3 years ago I guess - not bad since I usually went no longer than 6 months without an OS rebuild.

So back then I installed Vista 64-bit. I partitioned the disk and dedicated 60GB to Vista (this seemed plenty....at the time). Over the last 12 months I've moved everything I can off the OS partition (all software gets routinely installed on a separate partition anyway) but I'm now at the point where I'm down to my last 100MB of capacity and, naturally, it's running like a dog.

I'm running C-Cleaner, and some other system tool whose name escapes me right now. Between the two of them I was initially able to clean out about 3GB (result!) but there is no more room to be found now.

I really can't be bothered to do a fresh install unless I absolutely have to - I just don't have the spare time I used to. Back then an evening spent rebuilding a system seemed like fun - now, after a long day and commute, it seems like a bit of an ache in the nut sack.


So the question is, does anyone have any proven tips for clearing the OS down? Sadly Vista seems to archive off a load of files, whilst a quick google first told me I could delete them, reading further down each thread there was clear guidance IN CAPITALS not to delete these files unless you want to have to reinstall.

Any tips? No prize by the way for the first person to say "delete the files" ;)

I've got the horrible feeling a re-install is the only way (I'm certain it's the best way but I just don't have the time).

Thanks :)
 
move your pagefile to the alternate drive.

right click my computer, properties > performance > settings > advanced. Set your 2nd drive as a manual amount of disk space, say 8192 to 8192 if you have plenty of space on the other one.
Set C:\ to 0.

Should save you a few without uninstalling games.
 
Do you use the hibernation feature at all on Vista? If not, you can run 'powercfg.exe /hibernate off' within command prompt and restart PC; This should free up some space too.
 
Thanks both.

MarkA - I'll try that. I've read that the pagefile needs to run on a separate disk (not just partition) to avoid performance issues.

Deception - No, I don't use Hibernate. I used to until I ran out of space - it would start to hibernate then drop back onto the desktop. But that's a good point - I'm not sure I configured hibernate off again, so if that takes up some space that's a good tip too.


Those will get me through the short-term - however Vista seems to be on an unstoppable rampaging mission to fill disk. I'm guessing most people's experience is that a regular re-install is required (along with the "fun" of getting iTunes to work with it again - last time I reinstalled I somehow cocked up the iTunes migration/reinstall process and lost access to 160GB of ripped CDs....)

Cheers for that though - I'll get onto those today.
 
sxs strikes again... I bet that folder takes up at least 20GB of your HDD...

stupid thing! (Sorry nothing productive to say)
 
Dude, you should seriously try 'Spacesniffer' brilliant application for finding out where all the space is going, pretty amazing for all the size of the program.

All you have to do is click the drive you want to display where the memory is going and then click 'Start'

then sit back in amazement as how awesome this program is. I seriously recommend it.

You can get it from cnet.
http://download.cnet.com/SpaceSniffer/3000-18512_4-10913555.html
 
After using Windows own Disk Cleanup check paths Windows\Temp and Users\<your name>\AppData\Local\Temp. Might be other places that seem untouched.

Not sure if CCleaner is more thorough clearing temporary files.
 
Thanks all - it's not the system restore points as I deleted those long ago I'm afraid.

Trying a few of these now...
 
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