Out of Space on (C:) Drive

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Out of Space on (C:) Drive - What to do?

JoJo2

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#215241 18-Jun-2017 20:07

Hi All,

Just after a bit of advice from you clever people out there. (Thanks in advance!)

I have run out (well, just about run out) of spare space on my C drive. I purchased a new desktop computer about three years ago, and am having issues with programs not opening as there is not enough space. I am running Windows 7.

When a local IT guy set it up for me he partitioned (apologies, I'm not sure if that's the right terminology) the drive into two parts - leaving me with (C:) - 111GB capacity, 103GB now used, 7.94GB free) and (E:) - 931GB capacity, 778GB free.

I use Google drive to store all my files, and I did tell him this at the time, as I anticipated not needing much file storage. My Google Drive documents are located on (E:) and my programs on (C:), including Photoshop, which does take up a fair bit of space (this was always anticipated, and I told him this too).

I have done the usual "fix it yourself" options - emptying the trash can & running disk cleanup.

I see there is a box you can tick to "Compress this drive to save disk space", but am not really sure what that will do, so have not tried it.

I would have thought (C:) is unlikely to have any / many duplicate files because of my set up, but I guess I could run a duplicate finder to see what it does find.

I have uninstalled any programs that I am no longer using, by picking the ones I know I don't use, but there are a log list of programs for which I don't know what they do, so if I don't know I've left them there as it may be that I'm using them without knowing it.

I have started to install programs on (E:), but am unsure of whether this is a good or bad thing.

Any advice you can give me would be very much appreciated.

Cheers!

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#1803081 18-Jun-2017 20:09

Get a bigger SSD drive and fresh install.

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JoJo2

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#1803082 18-Jun-2017 20:09

PS - That should read I am starting to install new programs on (E:), all the programs up until now have been installed on (C:)

gzt

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#1803084 18-Jun-2017 20:13

Windows Disk Management will allow you to shrink the size of E, and after that you can use Windows Disk Management again to expand C into that space.

clinty

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#1803085 18-Jun-2017 20:21

Hi,

Download a program called tree size free from www.jam-software.com

This will show you what directories are large and you can work out if it is just temporary files using up space

Clint

ArcticSilver

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#1803086 18-Jun-2017 20:25

If it is 1 HDD that is partitioned then you should be able to shrink your E: drive and enlarge your C: drive.

That being said, from the sizes you mentioned above as the capacity of the drives it looks like you have 2 separate HDD's.

If you're sure it is one feel free to flick me a PM with your details and i'll talk you through it over the phone. It should be a easy fix.

If on the other hand it is 2 separate HDD's you'll either need to look at your file tree and delete some files (with the program Clint has linked above) or you will need to replace your Windows (C:) HDD.

Keep in mind that though you can move a portion of what is on your C: to your E: you will still find that 128GB's or less is a issue as some programs will always put some files on C:

semigeek

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#1803087 18-Jun-2017 20:28

Try this

http://www.partition-tool.com/easeus-partition-manager/help/resizing-and-moving-partition.htm

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coffeebaron

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#1803091 18-Jun-2017 20:38

I suspect he has a primary 128GB SSD drive + secondary 1TB HDD

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#1803097 18-Jun-2017 20:48

coffeebaron:
I suspect he has a primary 128GB SSD drive + secondary 1TB HDD

Agree. A look in Disk Management will confirm the disks or layout.

timmmay

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#1803108 18-Jun-2017 20:54

Hit start, type "disk cleanup", run that program. Let it run through and delete what you can. Next run it again and click "clean up system files" when prompted. This will help.

Also go into the following folders and delete what you can

c:\windows\temp

C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp

C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\LocalLow\Temp

You can also consider deleting unnecessary restore points. You can Google how to do that.

Get CCleaner (crap cleaner). It can get rid of a bunch of junk for you.

Treesize free is a good suggestion. Run it as admin.

Rikkitic

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#1803121 18-Jun-2017 21:57

CCleaner can be a little confusing for non-technical types. Not sure I would recommend it in this instance.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

yitz

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#1803125 18-Jun-2017 22:07

Check the size of your user profile, if it is excessive you could (backup first) delete and re-create the profile. You will lose any program settings unless you back them up.

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#1803134 18-Jun-2017 22:37

yitz: Check the size of your user profile, if it is excessive you could (backup first) delete and re-create the profile. You will lose any program settings unless you back them up.

This will delete everything in desktop, documents, pictures, downloads, etc everything under your username in explorer. That may not be a desirable outcome.

Do check the size of the downloads folder tho. That can easily get away from you.

lNomNoml

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#1803140 18-Jun-2017 22:58

Don't over complicate the problem.

Go buy a 250GB Crucial SSD, use the license it comes with for Acronis True Image and clone your 120GB SSD install to the 250GB and swap them.

Done.

Crucial SSD: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/HDDCRU20275/Crucial-MX300-275GB-25-inch-SSD-7mm--95mm-adaptor

If you are in Auckland I can do this for you if you need help.

Otherwise if you don't have the cash to upgrade, move your programs to the E: drive as you have been doing, only problem with that would be that they take longer to load.