Question Computer saying there's less space on a drive than there actually is

[MechaManDan]

I'm in a bit of a pickle with my computer and idk if anybody else had this problem so I figured I'd ask. So my D drive (which is my storage) just suddenly started saying it has 100kb free despite me not adding anything to it, and last night it had like 40 or 50gb free. I tried deleting something that was 2 or 3gb and the number didn't change at all, it's still at the same 100kb. Because the situation is so specific to describe it's impossible to google.

I tried using CCleaner. I tried using Disk Cleanup. I tried scanning with BitDefender and Malwarebytes. Nothing.

There is factually at least 40gb of open space in my storage but I can't install anything because my computer thinks it's full.

OS is Windows 10, the D Drive is a 1TB mechanical Western Digital but I don't know exactly which one, it's a couple years old at this point. idk if it helps but my boot drive is a Samsung SSD and I believe it was128gb?

Anybody know what this could possibly be?

 

[USAFRet]

Install and run either WinDirStat, or WizTree.

Run as Administrator, selecting only the drive in question.
Post a screencap here.

Also, a screencap of your Disk Management window.

 

[MechaManDan]

Sure thing. As a note, I tried deleting some more stuff and the HDD started acting properly, but idk how long it's going to last so I'd like to still find a potential solution.

WizTree:

https://imgur.com/ZMS6UTg

View: https://imgur.com/ZMS6UTg


Disk Management (If this isn't what you meant just lmk):

https://imgur.com/xYDPx5p

View: https://imgur.com/xYDPx5p

 

[USAFRet]

Your second is FIle Explorer.
I meant Disk Management.

 

[MechaManDan]

Oops my bad, here it is:

https://imgur.com/SOXmuZm

View: https://imgur.com/SOXmuZm

 

[USAFRet]

File History
Steam
Footage

That is taking up 3/4 of your space. With File History taking the most.

Why are you letting the system consume 25% of your drive with File History?
That is not a viable backup routine?

 

[USAFRet]

In addition, you NEED to offload some stuff from your 250GB C drive.
3% free space on an SSD is killings its lifespan.

 

[MechaManDan]

I'm gonna be honest I didn't know that folder so much as existed before asking here. I just checked it and it's kinda intimidating being a bunch of folders inside it all with numbers. Is there a way to manage it and trim down the space?

And yeah I do need to offload some stuff from my C drive, that part's just been me being lazy ngl.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm gonna be honest I didn't know that folder so much as existed before asking here. I just checked it and it's kinda intimidating being a bunch of folders inside it all with numbers. Is there a way to manage it and trim down the space?

And yeah I do need to offload some stuff from my C drive, that part's just been me being lazy ngl.

Turn the File History thing OFF.

 

[MechaManDan]

This? Pretty sure this is it I just wanna be sure.

https://imgur.com/vE0ZNhZ

View: https://imgur.com/vE0ZNhZ


I didn't even know this was a thing and it was already on.

 

[USAFRet]

Correct.

Leave it OFF a couple of days,
Run WizTree again, and see if that is still consuming that same space.

Then institute a REAL backup situation. You'll likely need to purchase another drive...maybe an external something.

 

[MechaManDan]

Will do!

I already back my important stuff up to an external drive, I wasn't using this as a backup because I genuinely had no idea it was a thing in the first place.

 

[MechaManDan]

And thanks for the help, I appreciate it!