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General discussion

Low on hard-drive space and I'm stuck -- what can I do?

Jun 3, 2016 5:12PM PDT

Dear Sirs/Madame,

I have encountered a problem on my wife’s Lenovl Laptop. It is giving a message that "disc space is very low." It also says that the browser is outdated, but you can’t update because there is like 700 MB of remaining space, which is not enough to load anything. We have Charter Security Suite furnished through our cable company, but I can’t run the scan either. You can browse on Internet Explorer but no room for any type of download and the Google Chrome browser is gone totally -- it shows that three things have crashed each time we try to use it. Maps Galaxy Google for Chrome and F-Secure Extension. Also will not perform Windows Update. It gets to 16% and says there is a failure to update Windows updates and is “reverting ‘…do not close computer. I'm stuck and I don't know what to do. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

--Submitted by Jim B.

Post was last edited on June 10, 2016 2:11 PM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Backing up to the same disk is risky
Jun 14, 2016 3:43PM PDT

The last two posts describe backing up to the same disk as the original data. One user backs up to the C: partition, and the other backs up to a partition on the same disk. Neither states that this is their only backup. If it is, then that is extremely risky.

A backup to the same media will protect against some user errors, like deleting the wrong file, or making a change they want to back out of. But, if that drive fails, then they'll lose their original data, and their backup, too. There will be nothing left to restore from.

Hard drives do die. Some will last for many years. Some will die quickly. There's no way to predict ahead of time which you have. I hope you two are making routine and frequent backups to at least another hard drive. Personally, I use a NAS to back up all my machines, plus a cloud backup service, for off-site.

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Actually, no I was not referring to the same disk
Jun 15, 2016 2:47AM PDT

I have 4 hard drives in my computer. My backup partition is not on the same physical disk as my C: drive. I also periodically transfer the latest backup to an external hard drive. Your assumption was incorrect. HOWEVER, if a person is going to back up to the same disk, another partition is really the best way to do it. In fact, this can work very well if the backups are periodically copied to other media. I do this on my laptop.

The idea is to limit the amount of space that the backup program can use for backups. One should never back up to the C: drive. This is bad for many reasons, and one of them is that the backup program will keep adding backups until the drive is nearly full.

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Recovery Disc:
Jun 15, 2016 8:30AM PDT

Every computer that is sold today comes with its own "recovery disc" or leads you through the process to -set one up- yourself! Because you have one in your possession, you should be ready to repair any "original" data loss on your PC. You can then; use your "back up" disk to recover any misplaced files! ...Tom...

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RE: The Image at the Beginning of This Post
Jun 4, 2016 4:10AM PDT

Some have wondered if the image at the beginning of the post is a screen capture submitted by Jim. I believe the image is part of the forum redesign. You'll notice an image at the beginning of every weekly question that is intended to visualize the problem for dramatic effect. Last weeks image was a WiFi signal which I seriously doubt was an actual captured signal Cool

Bottom-line...we still don't know the OS of Jim's wifes's computer.

Together Everyone Achieves More = TEAM

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It was not submitted by Jim, it's my bad
Jun 10, 2016 4:52PM PDT

I removed it to prevent further confusion. Sorry about that, wasn't thiinking when I posted Jim's question. I'm hoping Jim comes around to fill us in on the OS.

Again sorry everyone for the confusion.
-Lee

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it's a post Jim, but not as we know it!
Jun 10, 2016 5:27PM PDT

Dafydd. Laugh

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quick fix but short term
Jun 4, 2016 8:04AM PDT

A quick way to free up some space "just to work with" is to delete all but most recent restore point on your hard drive. that will give you enough to work your browser etc.
Next is what is all the storage you've got that can be dumped, like movies etc.
If you have a lot that it permanent like family pics and videos, then get some exterior, or cloud based storage an usb hard drive unit is fairly inexpensive these days, then move all that stuff off and delete the remains on puter and empty the trash bin as well.
You need to decide what to prioritize with your storage. if it's a really small hard drive, then invest in bigger and clone it onto that "lots of youtube videos" to walk you through it.
Hope this helps in some small way>>> Good luck in your journey with this new project>>>

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From my first 20MB drive in 1981 ...
Jun 4, 2016 10:00AM PDT

... yes 20MB (not GB and certainly not TB!) - in fact, in those days you could buy an 'advanced' disk controller (an 'RLL' controller) and get about 50% more space, so I ended up with 30MB.

From that first drive til today there were only two cardinal rules I had to learn to accept about disk storage:
1) every disk will end up being far too small soon - and much sooner than you think.
2) every disk will fail eventually and it will obey Murphy's Law by doing so at the most inopportune moment - even if you take regular backups.

So, hence advice no. 1: Run out and buy at least 2 TB of external disk space (a USB drive; get USB3 (or better) even if your current machine doesn't support it yet - your next one will. The USB3 drive will also run nicely on a computer's USB2 connector, by the way.)

Then use that drive to make a backup copy of everything on your laptop's drive. Including all the clutter you are sure you won't need - we'll discuss that again later.)

2: Decide if you need a new machine or just more disk space. Our friends here that suggest a new machine are only guessing at how old your current one is but they probably have a point, anyway. Notice how I am not rushing into suggesting a disk cleanup? I'll get to that in due course.

3: If you decide on an upgrade of the existing drive go get help! I would do it all by myself, but 1981 to today is a long time ... and you are asking us because you don't have that much experience. If you feel good about it ask the helper to tell you about what s/he does; you will learn something in the process. What should happen is this: An image copy of your drive is taken - possibly on to the new drive you bought. Then the old hard drive is removed and replaced by a new one with more space. Next the image is restored onto the new drive. Then (or at the same time) the system partition is expanded to use all the space on the drive. (Alternatively a second partition is configured, probably named "D:" But then you would have to constantly decide what data goes to C: and what goes to D: - and where to find your data later. Not a big todo for an old hat, but why bother?)

If all went well the machine will now boot smoothly from the new drive. If it is faster than the old one and if disk space was already a real burden your machine will now run better - not as well as a brand new one, but everything should be in place now. Compare with the next paragraph:

4: If you decided on a new system you now have to get rid of all the junk they filled up your new drive with. Then you install all the software you use every day and copy your data from your backup USB drive.

5: You should now be ready to run again. If you feel like it you can now (and ONLY now!!!) look for the trash that you no longer need and can remove. If you make a mistake you still have the backup on the USB drive. Only if you make a very big mistake will you have to get help again fixing your installation by restoring data you should not have removed (But Windows tries to stop you from doing that ...) Why only now? In all the years I've been doing this I can't remember when I actually freed up enough disk space to enable me to run for a significant time afterwards. Yes, as a matter of principle the junk should be removed from time to time, but if you free up less than 50% of the drive it is hardly worth your time.

Your mileage will vary, but here are my statistics: My work machine came with a 500GB drive; the 500GB drive on its predecessor was under stress already, so I got me two 1TB drives and an ultrabay adapter (It is also a Lenovo Wink - And in addition to these 2TB I travel with another 3TB USB drive. Plus I make up for the loss of the optical drive (DVD/CD) by carrying a few 128 and 256 GB USB sticks.

Most of that "stuff" is virtual machine images I need for the systems I study, train and demo. It pays to have a few back levels of the software around, but from time to time they get archived out to stay-at-home drives in hopes that they won't be needed anymore.

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Thanks for this.
Jun 4, 2016 10:14AM PDT

And to the forum. Worthwhile reading.

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The first thing to do...
Jun 4, 2016 10:03AM PDT

...is to immediately back up all of your personal files. This means all photos, downloads, music, videos, and other files that you have created. They are usually located in the "My Documents" folder. You can do this by using a back up program, by burning them to CDs or DVDs, by transferring them to a flash drive, or by transferring them to a memory card if your computer will take them. In fact, back up all of your data twice, since files have been known to be corrupted during the back up process. After this, uninstall everything you can live without and delete the files you have backed up (you can put them back later). Restart your computer and run the windows clean up utility and then the windows defrag utility. If this fixes the problem, then go back and add back in the personal files that you want to keep on your computer and reinstall any programs that you want. Keep those backups. You should back up your personal files regularly, as anyone who has lost precious work or family photos can tell you. Run the cleanup utility or CCleaner (mentioned by another poster) weekly. Also run full scans of your computer weekly. Defrag at least once a month or whenever your computer starts to slow down.

If this doesn't do it, then you have a harder problem to fix. It will require help. Let us know and we can guide you through the process.

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Use ext. drive for pgms.
Jun 4, 2016 11:50AM PDT

I didn't read all the posts but it seems everyone is hitting on a correct response. I suggest further, if not already to use an ext. drive like a flash and/or CD disc. and run pgms. from it. You don't need more room you already have it present on the ext. drive. I tend to like CCleaner very much plus you can also delete pgms. using it. Just run the cleaner part, then scan registry. Once done reboot and again use the CCleaner to then delete no longer needed pgms., etc. and allow it to clear more media space on your HD. good luck

tada -----Willy Happy

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Don't forget the software.
Jun 4, 2016 11:03PM PDT

There's a lot of advice about upgrading to a new machine with a terabyte of storage and the latest OS, but before doing so, take stock of what you'll need to replace. In particular, what programs are being used regularly, will they run on a newer operating system, and if not, what will it cost to upgrade the software? Even very old ('95) versions of MS Office apparently will install and run under Windows 10, so if that's all you use - AND if you have the installation disks - there's no problem. It's the non-MS programs you have to worry about. (I still run XP - in a virtual machine - for the sole purpose of running old software that has, over 12 years, bloated to a $1,300 monster.)

If this is in fact an old XP machine, there's a lot to be said for replacing the old HD, which might well be 40 or 80 GB, with an inexpensive 250 or 500 GB drive. You can find new 2.5" 250's on eBay for $20; combine that with a "cloud" backup and you have a very cheap fix. If nothing else, it will buy you time to set aside a "new laptop fund."

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Jim I have your answer
Jun 10, 2016 6:29PM PDT
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Short term and longer term solutions
Jun 10, 2016 7:08PM PDT

A lot of good suggestions have been given to free up perhaps 10-30% of your disk. Given that there are not a lot of specifics on the types of files on the disk and the OS, etc. I am making some assumptions on how much you will free up.
Ok, so you get back 30% of the disk space when you clean, then what? you are good for maybe 6 months or a year, then in the same boat.
There are at least two alternatives:
1) Buy a HD that is at least 2 times (or larger is better) your current HD Size. Get a USB disk enclosure and buy a copy of Acronis True image (TI). Use TI to make an image copy of your existing HD. Take the new HD and exchange it with your old HD and boot your PC. Make sure everything works. Put your old disk into the USB enclosure, delete all the junk (os, apps), and use it as your storage for pictures/videos/music etc.
Purge the duplicate pictures/vides/music off of the new disk in the laptop if you wish.
Now, partition the new disk in half, keep half for your OS and applications, the other half for all your data. Back up your data to the external disk in the USB enclosure.
2) buy an external USB disk such as WD Elements. Move ALL the data from your laptop HD to the new external disk. Then delete all the data on the laptop HD after it has been moved. Partition the laptop HD into two parts, with one part being the OS and APPS, and the other part being the data. Make the OS and App partition at least 2 times the existing size. (for growth).
Use the remainder for data. Always store your data in the data partition.
3) What is the age of the laptop? If it is older than 4 years old, you are statistically past the lifespan of a laptop. (Generally speaking). Components age and things will break. Ignoring the HD for the moment, one of the most common failures is the cooling fan, which when it goes, will cook your CPU and since most CPUs in laptops are soldered in, replacing the MB is 1/2 the cost of new laptop. So, my point is that you should clean up the existing HD and then start to look for a new laptop. Back to school specials, Black Friday, Christmas....good deals will be forth coming.

Good luck

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Disk space?
Jun 10, 2016 7:11PM PDT

This topic lacks fundamental details - how low is the disk space and which OS?
I am using the Wise Disk Cleaner which is free and far more effective than cCleaner

Other than that there is a chance that the FT (file table) is corrupt - do a scan:
CHKDSK C: /F /V /L:5000 to find out. As already mentioned here - get an usb disk (desktop expansion) to extend disk space - move files off and keep the C only for system files.

A little more discipline and all will be well Wink

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Window's Disk Cleanup
Jun 10, 2016 7:32PM PDT

I've been reading all of the suggestions to help Jim B with his low on hard drive space. Unless I missed it I didn't see anybody suggesting to Jim B to run under Window Administer tools Window's Disk Cleanup. Since it's part of Windows already it won't use up anymore hard drive space so you shouldn't get any type of error message on it. When I run it I run it twice the first time to see what clutter I have on my hard drive. But before cleaning up once it's is done I run it a second time using the system button on it. When it's has finished checking everything it will bring up everything that is safe to delete all you have to do is check the box next to what you want to delete. I personally just check every box myself then hit delete. It will ask you if you want to delete everything and I say yes (ok) and sit back and let it do it's thing. I have recovered on my 750GB hard drive as much as 300 G's at one time because I had so much clutter on it.

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My Solution to Low Disk Space Error Message
Jun 10, 2016 7:44PM PDT

First, you need to determine which drive or partition is low on space. It could be a system partition or maybe even the backup partition. I have had that error message on both. Assuming it is your "C" drive, I recommend CCLEANER and BLEACHBIT (both free- Google them) to clean the excess temporary files from the system. Cached web pages get LARGE! It doesn't hurt to run a good spyware/antivirus program (I like the free version of Malwarebytes). If all that doesn't work, then it is time to offload pictures and music to a flash drive. Good Luck!

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700MB is HUGE... Not to worry.
Jun 10, 2016 8:04PM PDT

The simple solution is just cleaning up the drive. You can to that quickly visually.

Download SequoiaView 1.3

It is 2MB, free and will show you the hard drive in a unique visual manner so you can decide what files can be ported to a flash drive or a USB external drive.

Go to:

http://www.win.tue.nl/sequoiaview/

The download is 1/2MB. Once installed you will be on your way to seeing the best path to recovery.

Enjoy...

BobD.

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Hard Drive too full
Jun 10, 2016 8:25PM PDT

Hi Jim B,
I'm going to repeat many of the things others have said, but in bullet form so that you can make a check list. I won't have much of an explanation or discussion but you can look up the How To on the internet or youtube.

1) Boot in Safe Mode. This provides a little more space and speed to the computer.
2) Uninstall any and all FREE programs not Microsoft programs Including your printer software and all other easily replaced free programs. Do not uninstall PAID for programs.
3) Yes, after a un-installing a few programs, Re-Start your computer back into Safe Mode.
If some programs don't uninstall in Safe Mode, uninstall those that will and then restart in normal Windows and finish uninstalling the rest of the free programs. Re-start again.
4) Use Ccleaner to help clean your system.
5) Delete the contents to your Downloads Folder of anything you don't need (be careful).
Run Ccleaner again.
6) Use and external USB 3.0 1TB or larger hard drive. Copy the contents of your Photo's, Video's, Documents, Music and Downloads into new User folders with similar name on your external USB hard drive. Also export your Bookmarks from within your Browser.
Backing up your data may take a lot of time depending on the Gigabytes of data.
Once you're sure the contents have been copied over....delete the contents of the User folders on your computer. Double check your work first.
7) Restart your computer again.
Cool Use Ccleaner again. Also run the Registry Cleaner at this time, save a copy of the Registry as directed.
9) Use the TFC.exe - (temporary file cleaner) from Bleeping computer.
10) Run msconfig (run) and select the Services Tab. Below left, check Hide all Microsoft Service and then select Disable All button lower right.
11) Next in msconfig select Start Up tab. Check Disable All in lower right.
Close out msconfig and re-start the computer.
12) Download Smart Defrag from CNET. Run Defrag and Prioritize (slow). Be patient it may take a couple of hours.
13) Restart the system, run Smart Defrag again and restart and run it again until it the time is below 30 minutes.

14) Re-install all necessary Free programs by downloading the newest versions from the internet. Use Belarc Advisor printout to help remind you of your programs.
15) Replace your needed documents/photo's/video's/music from your backup...NOT all just what you need to the appropriate User folder.
16) Download and Install one or both Mozilla Fire Fox/Google Chrome and please...stop using Internet Explorer or Edge. Google quit supporting Vista already.

Decide one of 3 choices:
If you want to upgrade to a larger C drive (clone). Not expensive, usually takes less than an hour and is easy to do. Cost about $70.
OR
You could at this time Re-Install Windows. This deletes everything...so be fully prepared with Belarc Advisor and your backup data. You'll need all the Discs to the programs you purchased with their Product Key's. The rest are Free programs from the internet including your printer software and driver. You'll need all your Motherboard Drivers from the Manufacture (do not use 3rd party for Drivers. Also download the latest drivers, don't use the OLD original disc). This will restore the greatest amount of drive space on original hard drive. Least expensive, but most time amount of time needed.
IF your computer is Vista or Windows 7, there may be a Recovery Partition (or recovery discs). This is the fastest and easiest method of re-installing the Operating System back to Original Factory settings. Use this method if you have it available. Then do ALL Windows updates before re-installing all your paid/free programs then replace your User data.
OR
If you are going to upgrade to a new computer (best overall choice but most expensive choice).
If you upgrade to a new computer (say from XP/Vista) to a new computer with Window 10, then you'll need to also consider:
a) What purchased programs that will need to be replaced. Budget for Microsoft Office or any other purchased program you need.
b) Use the Belarc Advisor print out for a list of all your programs. You can use Belarc Advisor as a check list for all the programs you need to replace.
c) An old printer may not have software/drivers from the Mfg to work in Windows 10..You may need to buy a new printer. Another budget item.
d) Once All of the Windows updates are completed, then install all your programs (paid/free) and then replace your User Data from your backup.

Hope this all is helpful to you.

Yes...a large list and some of it complicated and a lot of it time consuming. Have a check list. Ask for help. Seek someone who has done what you need done to sit with you..or Pay someone to do it for you.

PC2
A+ and Net+ Tech.

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I Must Be Missing Something.
Jun 10, 2016 8:39PM PDT

There's nothing wrong with advice like checking for useless data to remove, but I'm trying to understand why there's been so little mention of transferring some of the data to an external hard-drive. I feel that I must be missing something because I'm can't figure out why this wouldn't be the first solution you'd have conceived without advice from this forum.

Apologies if I have wrongly assumed that you are aware of the existence of external drives, or if purchasing one is somehow outside of your means. But it's hard for me to see in what way you're "stuck" when the only problem is just the need to free-up some drive space.

It would be a good idea for you and your wife to be backing-up your data anyway, so an external drive would provide the solution to your immediate problem, and it can also serve as a means to prevent data-loss should the laptop drive fail in the future.

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Not quite a solution
Jun 11, 2016 1:34AM PDT

If you move files to an external drive, they're not really backed up - you'll need a second external drive, with space to back up the first external drive (the moved files) plus the internal drive (system, applications, and not-moved files.)

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This is a laptop, right?
Jun 11, 2016 5:49AM PDT

When I travel with my laptop (which I do extensively) I prefer having the vast majority of the files I need inside the computer and not dangling on USB cables all over the show. I have gone through reorganizing my external drives with four of them all over the desk. It is okay for the duration of such a project, but I don't want to run with an external drive more or less permanently attached. Among other things, your mobility suffers - and I have on several occasions forgotten the drive and dropped it when I moved the computer - fortunately I only lost a drive that way once - and I was lucky that it wasn't all gone straight away. So I managed to save the most recent files on there to another drive and thus saved everything that had accumulated after the last backup before failure was complete. You don't always get that chance. (There is that "dirty" word again - "backup!" I swear by it.)

Okay, so, when you can live with your personal data on an external drive - go ahead. But get a second (larger) drive for the backups you will take - right?

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Low Space not me.
Jun 10, 2016 9:04PM PDT

I had a similar problem My hard drive failed, I lost many files. When I reformatted the drive I also got from Novatech a caddy and bought a 500 GB drive and put in it. Now I have double the space on 2 different drives. I keep the main drive for programmes etc and the other for working folders. Quite easy really.

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It appears that you have multiple issues
Jun 10, 2016 10:05PM PDT

1) Old computer 2) An outdated OS 3) Too many updates pending.
Backing up everything and removing unnecessary junk are obvious first steps but they will not solve the problems that you are facing. If you lack the experience, you may also have trouble following all the instructions below.
I suggest that, after you have backed up your files, do this:
1. Get a larger capacity hard drive and plug it into USB (Use a 'hard drive to usb 3.0 adapter').
2. Clone your internal drive on to the new larger drive (You could use http://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/index.htm). I have successfully used Acronis in the past, with default settings.
3. Replace your old drive with the new cloned drive.
4. Run a utility like Glary (http://www.glarysoft.com/glary-utilities/download/) to cleanup junk.
5. CHECK for updates BUT do not install them. If you have not updated for a long time the updates will not install and will "revert" in the end. So...do not install all the updates at once.
6. Choose only a few updates at first. I would choose earlier versions of Net Framework and a very few other updates at first. Then choose later versions with a few more updates.... and so on .... until all updates are installed. Install the optional updates after all other updates.
7. I would then resize the 'C' (Windows) partition to about 60-80GB of free space and use the rest of disk space for partitions to store your other files, disk images etc. (I have discussed this earlier in 2007 under "Backing up your system").... and then if possible move on to Windows10.... before June 29th. BTW I now use only Macrium to create image of the disk.

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Cleanup detail
Jun 10, 2016 10:16PM PDT

A probable reason would be that your browser could be caching everything onto the hard drive. Over time, this can easily eat up your space.

CCleaner, a free-to-use program, offers a useful way to remove (permanently I should add) a wide overhead of cached data. CNET has this in the downloads section, I'd be sure of it.

The job can also be done by emptying each browser cache manually by going into the settings. Effectively, the cache loads images, text, and layout so it shows up instantly on the next visit to the site. But if you have high speed internet, it's not that long a wait over a 33k modem.

Good luck.

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Remove Windows update files.
Jun 10, 2016 10:50PM PDT

When I have reached the full disk point, I have found that the quickest way to get some space is to delete the back up files created by Windows Update. Once the update is successful, the files are useless, and certainly no one is ever going to want a 2 year or more backup of a Windows module that belongs in a 2 year old version of windows. It should be easy to reclaim 5 to 10 GB this way. Check the Microsoft site for instructions. Then get a larger drive.
If this sounds too scary, take the computer to a small computer shop, or a large one that has a repair service, buy a new larger drive, and pay to have the drive contents transferred. If the laptop can accept it, I recommend a solid state drive.

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Other thoughts.
Jun 10, 2016 11:03PM PDT

Start with the older backup files, and for the first few, delete one at a time. Use shift delete, so the files will be deleted, and not be put in the trash.
Also, check your trash, and empty it. I don't remember anyone suggesting that, and it should be said. Right click on the desktop trashcan icon, and select empty.

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Trash ...
Jun 11, 2016 5:53AM PDT

That's right! We all - so far - failed to mention that as a good obvious source of free space. Fancy that!

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Sounds like Windows 10 again.
Jun 11, 2016 12:43AM PDT

If you are running Windows 7 or 8.1 it could well be that you have windows 10 downloaded onto you computer. Have you tried never 10 or a similar program. The fact that you get a message about chrome wont work on the computer suggests that you are running Windows XP, I have an old lap top that I don't use and that gets the message about the latest version Chrome not working on outdated os.

More details would help such as the OS hdd size.

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Options to use !
Jun 11, 2016 4:44AM PDT

Jim you have many options available My Mrs. has a small laptop computer and I had to go in the move some things around to make more space. 1 st I open her a drop box FREE account and move some 5 gigs of pictures Then I look at removing some unused programs i.e. Java, & bloat ware saving another 5 gig of space remember music, Jpegs, Videos can all be transferred to another external hard drive or cloud storage. With prices dropping you could always get bigger hard drive.