How can I find what files are filling up my hard drive?

Question

Hello, I have an 80 GB hard drive laptop and have started putting media on it to transfer to my Ipod. I got a warning saying that I was almost out of disk space. This cant be because I only have like 25 GB of media in music and video folder (thats whats on my Ipod). I am not very savvy in tech-speak so if you could explain easily. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I assume this is windows. Double-click on "My Computer". You will see a list of "hard disk drives" probably only one labeled "C:". It will show two columns, total size and free space. Free space is how much you have left. I would start with your My documents folder. Right click on the folder on your desktop and select Properties. Then wait for it to finish calculating size on disk. Once you see how much this is start digging around for files to get rid of. Check your desktop and see if you might have multiple copies of several large files.

Answer 2

There are many ways to try to find where the most files are being used or the biggest files. Some of the manual ways are time intensive and require some knowledge of command line utilities.

My favorite piece of software for this task is SizeExplorer. I've used it for years in both large and small environments. It's easy to use and has a free trial period. That would probably be enough for your purposes. It can quickly and easily determine which directories hold the most files, the largest files, or files of certain types.

SizeExplorer Link: http://www.sizeexplorer.com

An alternate program that other techs favor is TreeSize which can be found at, http://www.jam-software.com/treesize/

Answer 3

Assuming your workstation got here with a disk you mustn't prefer something from the recoverypersistent so which you would be able to delete all of it in case you prefer the gap. in any different case its in all probability not clever to go deleting something in there devoid of understanding what you're doing. particularly speaking 10GB in a lot of your complete area so it wont make a lot of a distinction besides. As for issues not being "totally deleted", once you empty your recycle bin the gap is basically freed for reuse. records, even nevertheless, go away at the back of a magnetic imprint, which you would be able to talk, on your stressfulpersistent that must be restored by government companies as an occasion except you have written over the ingredient of the stressfulpersistent various cases. except your getting as much as dodgy unlawful stuff on your workstation this could not be a concern.

Answer 4

well first of all that 80 gig hd formats out to about 75gig after formating so lets start at 75then windows and assorted basic programs
10gigs down to 65gigs, 10 for system restore,
55 25for your media,that leaves 30 which is temp files and games, and al lthe other programs......... Download CCleaner.It is free run it at the default setting to reclaim some hard drive space

Answer 5

Remember that every time you visit a site, the information is kept on your hard drive.... unless you turn off the option in Tools/Properties in your internet browser.

The best thing is to do a DISK cleanup - followed by a Defrag (Start/Programs/Accessories/SystemTools/Disk Cleanup) or right mouse button click your "my computer/Properties". and you'll see it there. Important to do the disk cleanup before you defrag.

Answer 6

Try de-fragmenting your C-Drive. From your start menu go to "accessories" then "System Tools", then Disk- defragmenter. Once you're in there click on defragment.

Answer 7

There are a lot of temporary files that your computer stores. Plus, the operating system takes up space too!

Answer 8

Click START in your bottom left corner. From there, click MY COMPUTER. It is sorta like a place where you can view all your files and change settings.

Answer 9

yeah i would like to know somethign along those lines too - thx for reminding me lol