Full C: Drive

dellas1979

Hi there,

I have an HP laptop, Windows 8.

I really have nothing saved on it - like nothing! I use it for browsing and downloading movies.

But the C: drive is saying its full - how could this be?

I have a uTorrent (for erm downloading movies). After I download/watch, I delete from the uTorrent application and the folder where it saved to on the laptop (Downloads folder)- then empty recycle bin.

Could it be saving downloaded files/utorrent somewhere else?

Am so confused why its still full?

Ive deleted temp internet files. Ive done a disc clean up.

It says program files are only 1.1GB - C is 22GB. Where is 21 GBs saved to!!

Anyone any ideas?

Thanks

go to windows file explorer and click on the c: drive

then in the right-pane check the properties of each folder and narrow it down from there.

if you have a c: drive that is only 22gb that is absolutely tiny.

probably all taken up by windows.

at the least buy an sd card and put it into the reader for extra storage.

dellas1979

glasso wrote: »

at the least buy an sd card and put it into the reader for extra storage.

I know! Ive had this laptop for 4 years, and I dont keep anything on the laptop (just per above, download some movies, some facebook, youtube), so I couldnt figure out why the disc has become full (as I delete everything).

Thanks - is that something I could buy/install myself?

There is a little slot, to the left, that says Micro SD.

So, I could buy an SD card and just slot it in? and bobs me Uncle?

DopeTech

Install treesize if you can and it will tell you what folders are taking up most space.

Also run a disk cleanup up by typing disk cleanup into the start menu.

beauf

I use treesize free also to keep an eye on things. Great app.

Windows 10 takes up about 16GB for me on my Netbooks. Where I've nothing installed. Just use it for browsing etc.

get a micro sd card for storage/ downloads

upgrade to win 10.

a fresh install of win 10 will actually be smaller than current win 8 with the cumulative upgrades

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

you'll have to do it from a usb key fresh install

dellas1979

Sir Dosser wrote: »

Install treesize if you can and it will tell you what folders are taking up most space.

Also run a disk cleanup up by typing disk cleanup into the start menu.

Thanks - no space to install Treesize.

Ive done the disc clean up - no joy (cleared like few MBs).

I understand operating systems use memory to run. But, I dont understand why (after 4 years with nothing saved on the laptop - only things I've installed is Mozilla and uTorrent), its decided its full.

Am going to get something like this: https://www.huntoffice.ie/kingston-canvas-select-flash-memory-card-microsdxc-to-sd-adapter-included-64-gb-uhs-i-u1-class10-microsdxc-uhs-i-sdcs-64gb-4659175.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqPTZl4Og4AIVhbDtCh18hwAFEAQYAiABEgI9nPD_BwE

Put that into SD card slot, and it should be ok/I can download things again and hopefully install the Treesize!

Hope the above is correct-any more suggestions, give a post!

dellas1979

Cant currently download Treesize.

So, think am going to order this SD card and put it in the slot: https://www.huntoffice.ie/kingston-canvas-select-flash-memory-card-microsdxc-to-sd-adapter-included-64-gb-uhs-i-u1-class10-microsdxc-uhs-i-sdcs-64gb-4659175.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqPTZl4Og4AIVhbDtCh18hwAFEAQYAiABEgI9nPD_BwE

That should sort it?

Thanks!

that's why I hate windows laptops with these tiny hard mmc storage devices.

eventually windows updates fill them up.

a 128gb ssd is the minimum really.

fxotoole

I second the suggestion of using treesize or a similar program that will show you graphically what’s using the most space. It should also allow you to drill down into specific folders and find huge files that you forgot / didn’t know you had on your disk

Edit: I’m pretty sure you can install treesize on an external usb stick or SD card instead of trying to install it on an nearly full hard drive

beauf

Just checking on the netbook/laptops I have handy.

Laptop on Windows 8.1 32bit - 12GB
Netbook on Windows 10 64bit - 18GB
Netbook on Windows 10 32bit - 12GB

Sounds like you have updated Windows and not deleted the old version. I would wipe it and do a fresh install.

dellas1979

Ive no idea how to delete the old version.

Could you explain?

DopeTech

dellas1979 wrote: »

Ive no idea how to delete the old version.

Could you explain?

Delete windows.old from C drive

you don't delete it. you do an install of windows 10 from a usb key

download win 10 usb key version tool

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10?irgwc=1&OCID=AID681541_aff_7593_159229&tduid=(ir__c6tosmxm2okfri030hnrewwq9n2xhcyuic2b3skn00)(7593)(159229)()(UUwpUdUnU50931)&irclickid=_c6tosmxm2okfri030hnrewwq9n2xhcyuic2b3skn00


you will probably need to do this on another pc as your one has no space

need min 8gb blank usb key

then set boot enabled in bios
(may need to turn secureboot off)

use key to install which will overwrite existing windows

Capt'n Midnight

use ccleaner to clean up caches

empty recycle bin

if space is really tight and your system is stable remove some of the older system restore points.

uninstall unneeded programs


backup photos and videos and music and movies


post the make model of laptop netbook as the long term solution may be to upgrade the drive if it's possible.

bonzodog2

You can also reduce the space allocated to recycle bin and system protection (where restore points are saved)