Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

What should I do with my C drive space running out?

by Nov 26, 2018 8:16AM PST

I have a small space hard disk drive on my HP ProBook laptop with using windows 10. When the updates occurred my windows drive shows space running out issue.

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Re: small hard disk
by Kees_B Forum moderator Nov 26, 2018 12:17PM PST

How small is small? And what are the numbers of free and used space?

I see there are HP Probooks with 64 GB total disk space. That can't really be called Pro, of course. But with careful managing of free space it's possible to run Windows 10 for quite a long time.
If careful managing isn't enough, a clean install with format might help for a while.

Run Treesize Free from https://www.jam-software.de/customers/downloadTrial.php?article_no=80 to see where your space hogs are. A common one is the System Volume Information folder, which is easy to clean. And for some, there are many files in temp-folders or they forgot to empty the recycle bin or run the occasional Windows update cleanup.
People who just want to use their laptop in stead of spending time in managing it buy a much larger hard disk.

Post was last edited on November 26, 2018 12:18 PM PST

- Collapse -
Thank you
by tileygrouty Nov 26, 2018 10:47PM PST

Thank you very much. I use to clean it but that happens again and again. I have 80 GB Hard Disk now. When the update is happened, the disk space is running out again.

- Collapse -
Re: disk space
by Kees_B Forum moderator Dec 26, 2018 2:05AM PST

Then either you'll have to keep cleaning or replace the hard disk with a larger one. I'd recommend a 256 GB SSD. You can get them for around USD 50.

- Collapse -
consider Linux Mint 19 instead
by James Denison Dec 26, 2018 7:47AM PST
- Collapse -
Answer
Update or backups?
by Dec 25, 2018 11:25PM PST

Is it possible that you turned on the system restore accidentally? When Windows create system restore points, large files usually several gigabytes will be created on C drive. Right click to select Properties and then Security to check.
Also, hibernation files and hidden partitions are also likely to occupy disk space. You may want to refer to find missing space on hard drive to get the issue solved. It discusses the reasons and solutions.
Regards.

- Collapse -
Answer
Tips to Clean Disk to Free up Space in Windows 10
by Dec 29, 2018 1:57AM PST

I suggest you free up space if you are unable to add a new SSD card. You can do these to free up space.

Tip 1: Free up space by deleting files from the download directory
Tip 2: Clean up disk via deleting files from the temp directory
Tip 3: Clean disk by deleting files created by chat program
Tip 4: Delete unused files to free up space in Windows 10
Tip 5: Backup files to external storage
Tip 6: Backup files to the online drive

Promotional link removed by moderator.

Post was last edited on December 29, 2018 6:29 AM PST

- Collapse -
Re: tips
by Kees_B Forum moderator Dec 29, 2018 6:32AM PST

Tip 5 and 6 are rather bad tips. Making a backup copy on another device (an external hard disk, a USB-stick, another PC in your home network, somewhere in the cloud) doesn't free any disk space. Unless you delete the original, but then you don't have a backup anymore, and it's just a copy!

Back to Windows 10 forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info