How do I REALLY free space on my computer?? The stuff that I'm doing isn't working.?

Question

Okay, so I'm really getting frustrated here. I have removed about 20 programs from "add/remove" programs. I have cleared my cache. I do about 2 disk cleanups a day. I have deleted temporary files AND all offline files. I STILL have a low space problem. Someone just mentioned to me to defragment. I tried that but it said I only have 2% space & need 15%. So, I remove even MORE programs, do ANOTHER disk cleanup, go back to the "defragment" page and what does it say?? "You only have 2% space & need 15%"!!!!!! Can someone PLEASE, please help me?? I checked the properties of my "C" drive and it's COMPLETELY blue, no pink at all (which means I basically have no free space whatsoever). I am in law school preparing for finals. I would absolutely die if my computer were to crash on me before or during that time. Someone please help!!

Answer 1

The first thing you want to do is back up your important files. I can't stress this enough especially if you are a law student or any student for that matter.

As for the problem... it sounds like you may have some sort of running log file that is constantly getting filled with information or worse, a virus/worm that is eating up space.

The way you can try to track this down is to right click on your c: drive and do a search. Search for *.* so that everything gets found. Sort by date to see the most recent files that have been changed. You might see that there is a file that is a very large size that doesn't related to any software you are using. It's hard to say what this file will be or whether or not it is a legitimate file.

You might want to run some anti spyware/virus software to see if you have any nasties on your system.

You can also run the task manager and look at the processes running to see if there is anything using CPU that might be suspicious. The process names can be very unintuitive so searching on the names in google can help you discover more detail about what is running. This could help you to track down a runaway process that is logging or possibly a spyware/virus that is running.

In case you missed this before... back up your important files!!!

You probably actually have plenty of free space if you can find out what is logging or if there is a virus eating up hard drive space. Especially now that you have uninstalled a number of other programs.

Worst case scenario... you may have to reinstall your operating system. I know that is a painful sounding option, but sometimes it's the only way. If it comes to that back up back up back up.... and by the way... back up your important files. Make sure you format your disk so no clever virus is left behind. Then install your operating system. I strongly suggest installing anti spy/virus software as soon as possible and run all the windows updates you can. Windows updates don't all get installed at the same time and some are not available unitl you have installed others. So you will have to run windows update over and over until there are no more updates to get. I am mostly referring to the critical updates and security updates.

I wish you luck.... and don't forget to back up your important files no matter what the outcome.

Answer 2

From what you've described you are moving in the correct direction. My only suggestion you would be start copying files onto an external hard drive or onto CD to free up more space. Go to your my documents file, right click go down the properties and see how much room this is taking up. I would be willing to bet this where a lot of your hard drive space is being used. Also music files use a lot of hard drive space. An external hard drive will probably be the best solution for you You can pick up 100 GB hard drive, very reasonably right now. Good luck!

Answer 3

Unless it's a laptop, don't buy an external drive, get a bigger hard drive and clone your drive to it. Norton Ghost is a good cloning software app. Since your hard drive is only 20 gigs, then chances are it's an old system. If that's the case you'll need to know whether your system can recognize the size of hard drive you replace it with. Since your brother is a computer whiz, he should have no problem handling this for you.

Answer 4

Try right clicking the C drive and hit the properties and then try disk cleanup and see it that frees a little more. Other than that just try getting a backup hdd or a use a external hdd as a backup drive..Thanks

Answer 5

Go to search then search for music and video files see what you do not want and delete them video files take a lot of space. but if I am not mistaken I guess your computer was not partitioned good it seams partition c: is small and you have a lot of UN allocated space to be sure run a program called partition magic . if this is the case re size the partition and make it bigger to get to 100%. if this is not the case that means your hard drive is small.

Answer 6

if you have a lot of music on your pc - burn them to disc and then delete them - that will clear up a lot of space

once you do that - then try defragging again

or - add more RAM (memory) and maybe more hard drive

Answer 7

try deleting files from your "c" drive...the ones you dont use..
not necessarily programs..it could be photos..documents w/c you are not using..
or another option is install an additional hard drive in your computer..

Answer 8

uh i think you should go to the start button(where you go to sign off, etc.), go to control panel on the right side,click then go to add/remove files, then click & remove some files. tht might make your computer have more room& make it go faster.

Answer 9

http://bartman1.blogspot.com/ go here and follow if your computer runs slow