My SSD is saying that it's almost full but it's not

[SwissAndOr]

Hey. I have a Samsung 850 EVO 250GB SSD on Windows 8 and I haven't checked how full it was for a while. I just had a random BSOD and when I started up Steam told me it didn't have enough SPAAACE to update (I have Steam on my SSD but not my games). I was curious and went and saw that my SSD was 99% full. I wondered what could've caused it so I checked with WinDirStat and it said that it only had 70GB of data on it. Right clicking and checking the storage that each of the base folders didn't add up too.
WinDirStat
This PC
I just right clicked on C: and went to Tools > Error checking and it said that it found an error that needs to be repaired.

 

[USAFRet]

(Moved, per your request)

One big thing WinDirStat misses is System Restore points.

Find your System Restore settings, and see what that is set to.
Control Panel
System
System Protection
System Protection
Click on the relevant drive, and select Configure

It will show you current usage and Max use %

 

[SwissAndOr]

(Moved, per your request)

One big thing WinDirStat misses is System Restore points.

Find your System Restore settings, and see what that is set to.
Control Panel
System
System Protection
System Protection
Click on the relevant drive, and select Configure

It will show you current usage and Max use %

Thanks for moving it! I tried that but it's using no storage. I even deleted it just in case but nothing changed.
EDIT: Just in case it's useful, I think the BSOD was "system thread exception not handled", but I'm not 100% certain.

 

[USAFRet]

(Moved, per your request)

One big thing WinDirStat misses is System Restore points.

Find your System Restore settings, and see what that is set to.
Control Panel
System
System Protection
System Protection
Click on the relevant drive, and select Configure

It will show you current usage and Max use %

Thanks for moving it! I tried that but it's using no storage. I even deleted it just in case but nothing changed.

Using none on your SSD? By default, it is set to a pretty large percentage, on the C drive. Unless you personally changed it...look again.

 

[SwissAndOr]

(Moved, per your request)

One big thing WinDirStat misses is System Restore points.

Find your System Restore settings, and see what that is set to.
Control Panel
System
System Protection
System Protection
Click on the relevant drive, and select Configure

It will show you current usage and Max use %

Thanks for moving it! I tried that but it's using no storage. I even deleted it just in case but nothing changed.

Using none on your SSD? By default, it is set to a pretty large percentage, on the C drive. Unless you personally changed it...look again.

Here it is. I haven't clicked Apply or OK so it was like this before.

 

[USAFRet]

(Moved, per your request)

One big thing WinDirStat misses is System Restore points.

Find your System Restore settings, and see what that is set to.
Control Panel
System
System Protection
System Protection
Click on the relevant drive, and select Configure

It will show you current usage and Max use %

Thanks for moving it! I tried that but it's using no storage. I even deleted it just in case but nothing changed.

Using none on your SSD? By default, it is set to a pretty large percentage, on the C drive. Unless you personally changed it...look again.

Here it is. I haven't clicked Apply or OK so it was like this before.

And you're sure you selected the SSD in the dialog box previous to this?

 

[SwissAndOr]

(Moved, per your request)

One big thing WinDirStat misses is System Restore points.

Find your System Restore settings, and see what that is set to.
Control Panel
System
System Protection
System Protection
Click on the relevant drive, and select Configure

It will show you current usage and Max use %

Thanks for moving it! I tried that but it's using no storage. I even deleted it just in case but nothing changed.

Using none on your SSD? By default, it is set to a pretty large percentage, on the C drive. Unless you personally changed it...look again.

Here it is. I haven't clicked Apply or OK so it was like this before.

And you're sure you selected the SSD in the dialog box previous to this?

Yes. Here it is. Also on the right side are all my C: root folder properties.

EDIT: Just noticed that I have to add the root files as well, but even with those it doesn't add up.

 

[SwissAndOr]

I ran chkdsk and chkdsk /scan and this is what I got at the end:

Usn Journal verification completed.
The master file table's (MFT) BITMAP attribute is incorrect.
The Volume Bitmap is incorrect.
Windows has checked the file system and found problems.
Please run chkdsk /scan to find the problems and queue them for repair.

243195903 KB total disk space.
242409864 KB in 325373 files.
172736 KB in 49941 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors.
512331 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
100972 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
60798975 total allocation units on disk.
25243 allocation units available on disk.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>chkdsk /scan
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Insufficient storage available to create either the shadow copy storage file or
other shadow copy data.

A snapshot error occured while scanning this drive. Run an offline scan and fix.

 

[SBMfromLA]

I once had my SSD lose almost all of it's space. I found the file by going into Folder Options and checking the option to SHOW HIDDEN FILES & FOLDERS... Turned out it was a utility program I was running that created empty 50-100GB files (bug or error).

 

[rcald2000]

For starters you need to immediately create some free drive space, so that you can properly troubleshoot this issue. Based on your screen shot, I'm guessing that your system has 16 GB of RAM. Your page file looks to be about 16 GB in size on your SSD. I recommend that you lower this to 4 GB.

<right click> Computer -> properties -> Advanced [tab] -> Advanced -> Change -> <click> C: [to highlight primary partition] -> set custom initial size AND maximum size to: "4096" MB -> Set.

A reboot will probably be necessary; proceed with the required reboot.

Also, you need to remove your hibersys file, but you should do it properly, from the command prompt. Do not just delete it manually:

windows key + r -> cmd <enter> -> powercfg /hibernate off <enter>

Then run a check disk repair: chkdsk /r

Reboot the computer and allow the chkcsk repair to proceed and complete. Then re-run windirstat, and see what it shows you afterwards. Then report back to this thread.

 

[SwissAndOr]

For starters you need to immediately create some free drive SPAAACE, so that you can properly troubleshoot this issue. Based on your screen shot, I'm guessing that your system has 16 GB of RAM. Your page file looks to be about 16 GB in size on your SSD. I recommend that you lower this to 4 GB.

<right click> Computer -> properties -> Advanced [tab] -> Advanced -> Change -> <click> C: [to highlight primary partition] -> set custom initial size AND maximum size to: "4096" MB -> Set.

A reboot will probably be necessary; proceed with the required reboot. Then run a check disk repair: chkdsk /r

Reboot the computer and allow the chkcsk repair to proceed and complete. Then re-run windirstat, and see what it shows you afterwards. Then report back to this thread.

Thanks! I removed the hibernation file as well for now until this fixes. Hopefully when I get back everything will be well.

 

[rcald2000]

For starters you need to immediately create some free drive SPAAACE, so that you can properly troubleshoot this issue. Based on your screen shot, I'm guessing that your system has 16 GB of RAM. Your page file looks to be about 16 GB in size on your SSD. I recommend that you lower this to 4 GB.

<right click> Computer -> properties -> Advanced [tab] -> Advanced -> Change -> <click> C: [to highlight primary partition] -> set custom initial size AND maximum size to: "4096" MB -> Set.

A reboot will probably be necessary; proceed with the required reboot. Then run a check disk repair: chkdsk /r

Reboot the computer and allow the chkcsk repair to proceed and complete. Then re-run windirstat, and see what it shows you afterwards. Then report back to this thread.

Thanks! I removed the hibernation file as well for now until this fixes. Hopefully when I get back everything will be well.

"Also, you need to remove your hibersys file, but you should do it properly, from the command prompt. Do not just delete it manually:

windows key + r -> cmd <enter> -> powercfg /hibernate off <enter>
"

That's great! But still run the command above, otherwise your system will recreate the hibernation files automatically. No harm, no foul. Let us know how things go.

 

[rcald2000]

I once had my SSD lose almost all of it's space. I found the file by going into Folder Options and checking the option to SHOW HIDDEN FILES & FOLDERS... Turned out it was a utility program I was running that created empty 50-100GB files (bug or error).

Dude, I like this idea as well. FYI, I love that you're still running a VelociRaptor 600 GB drive. I used to dream about owning one of those things back in the day.

 

[SwissAndOr]

For starters you need to immediately create some free drive SPAAACE, so that you can properly troubleshoot this issue. Based on your screen shot, I'm guessing that your system has 16 GB of RAM. Your page file looks to be about 16 GB in size on your SSD. I recommend that you lower this to 4 GB.

<right click> Computer -> properties -> Advanced [tab] -> Advanced -> Change -> <click> C: [to highlight primary partition] -> set custom initial size AND maximum size to: "4096" MB -> Set.

A reboot will probably be necessary; proceed with the required reboot. Then run a check disk repair: chkdsk /r

Reboot the computer and allow the chkcsk repair to proceed and complete. Then re-run windirstat, and see what it shows you afterwards. Then report back to this thread.

Thanks! I removed the hibernation file as well for now until this fixes. Hopefully when I get back everything will be well.

"Also, you need to remove your hibersys file, but you should do it properly, from the command prompt. Do not just delete it manually:

windows key + r -> cmd <enter> -> powercfg /hibernate off <enter>
"

That's great! But still run the command above, otherwise your system will recreate the hibernation files automatically. No harm, no foul. Let us know how things go.

Yeah I did that. The chkdsk /r is done. Still not working. It should be using only 60-63 GB but it's using almost all of it. No errors were found when I checked it in the C: properties though.

 

[rcald2000]

For starters you need to immediately create some free drive SPAAACE, so that you can properly troubleshoot this issue. Based on your screen shot, I'm guessing that your system has 16 GB of RAM. Your page file looks to be about 16 GB in size on your SSD. I recommend that you lower this to 4 GB.

<right click> Computer -> properties -> Advanced [tab] -> Advanced -> Change -> <click> C: [to highlight primary partition] -> set custom initial size AND maximum size to: "4096" MB -> Set.

A reboot will probably be necessary; proceed with the required reboot. Then run a check disk repair: chkdsk /r

Reboot the computer and allow the chkcsk repair to proceed and complete. Then re-run windirstat, and see what it shows you afterwards. Then report back to this thread.

Thanks! I removed the hibernation file as well for now until this fixes. Hopefully when I get back everything will be well.

"Also, you need to remove your hibersys file, but you should do it properly, from the command prompt. Do not just delete it manually:

windows key + r -> cmd <enter> -> powercfg /hibernate off <enter>
"

That's great! But still run the command above, otherwise your system will recreate the hibernation files automatically. No harm, no foul. Let us know how things go.

Yeah I did that. The chkdsk /r is done. Still not working. It should be using only 60-63 GB but it's using almost all of it. No errors were found when I checked it in the C: properties though.

Let's backtrack a little bit. Is this a Lenovo laptop by any chance? They have a backup utility that is notorious for stealing free space. Either way, please provide your full computer specs. Also, can you confirm that you're running WinDIRstat from a Windows Administrator account.

 

[SwissAndOr]

For starters you need to immediately create some free drive SPAAACE, so that you can properly troubleshoot this issue. Based on your screen shot, I'm guessing that your system has 16 GB of RAM. Your page file looks to be about 16 GB in size on your SSD. I recommend that you lower this to 4 GB.

<right click> Computer -> properties -> Advanced [tab] -> Advanced -> Change -> <click> C: [to highlight primary partition] -> set custom initial size AND maximum size to: "4096" MB -> Set.

A reboot will probably be necessary; proceed with the required reboot. Then run a check disk repair: chkdsk /r

Reboot the computer and allow the chkcsk repair to proceed and complete. Then re-run windirstat, and see what it shows you afterwards. Then report back to this thread.

Thanks! I removed the hibernation file as well for now until this fixes. Hopefully when I get back everything will be well.

"Also, you need to remove your hibersys file, but you should do it properly, from the command prompt. Do not just delete it manually:

windows key + r -> cmd <enter> -> powercfg /hibernate off <enter>
"

That's great! But still run the command above, otherwise your system will recreate the hibernation files automatically. No harm, no foul. Let us know how things go.

Yeah I did that. The chkdsk /r is done. Still not working. It should be using only 60-63 GB but it's using almost all of it. No errors were found when I checked it in the C: properties though.

Let's backtrack a little bit. Is this a Lenovo laptop by any chance? They have a backup utility that is notorious for stealing free SPAAACE. Either way, please provide your full computer specs. Also, can you confirm that you're running WinDIRstat from a Windows Administrator account.

I think you solved it. I stupidly ran WinDirStat in normal mode, and when I ran it in admin mode, http://imgur.com/LBPgTeF happened. That's the temp folder. I thought it was just a bug since both WinDirStat and windows explorer didn't add up. The windows folder says 18 GB in explorer and the temp says 0. The temp folder has thousands of extremely small files with MSI(4 characters).LOG files in it. Should I just delete them or is there something special that I need to do?

EDIT: Now that I've opened Temp in file explorer, the Windows and Temp folder properties are giving me the corrects storage values, and so is WinDirStat in non-admin mode.

 

[rcald2000]

I think that I finally have the correct answer:

I think the unreported space is being taken up by Windows indexing. I "think" location below is the correct one:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb

* Here's the catch, you'll most likely need to be logged into the Administrator account, in order to be able to see. You'll need to log into that account and then you can either move the index location, modify it, or completely turn off indexing.

Let me know what you think, as your issue has me fascinated.

 

[SwissAndOr]

I think that I finally have the correct answer:

I think the unreported SPAAACE is being taken up by Windows indexing. I "think" location below is the correct one:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb

* Here's the catch, you'll most likely need to be logged into the Administrator account, in order to be able to see. You'll need to log into that account and then you can either move the index location, modify it, or completely turn off indexing.

Let me know what you think, as your issue has me fascinated.

Nope. That file only has 72 MB. The final answer, I think, is the windows temp folder. For some reason it escaped from WinDirStat searched and Explorer properties and later reappeared. It's just a question of how to delete them.

 

[rcald2000]

I think that I finally have the correct answer:

I think the unreported SPAAACE is being taken up by Windows indexing. I "think" location below is the correct one:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb

* Here's the catch, you'll most likely need to be logged into the Administrator account, in order to be able to see. You'll need to log into that account and then you can either move the index location, modify it, or completely turn off indexing.

Let me know what you think, as your issue has me fascinated.

Nope. That file only has 72 MB. The final answer, I think, is the windows temp folder. For some reason it escaped from WinDirStat searched and Explorer properties and later reappeared. It's just a question of how to delete them.

windows key + r -> temp

delete all files inside of said folder.

 

[SwissAndOr]

I think that I finally have the correct answer:

I think the unreported SPAAACE is being taken up by Windows indexing. I "think" location below is the correct one:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb

* Here's the catch, you'll most likely need to be logged into the Administrator account, in order to be able to see. You'll need to log into that account and then you can either move the index location, modify it, or completely turn off indexing.

Let me know what you think, as your issue has me fascinated.

Nope. That file only has 72 MB. The final answer, I think, is the windows temp folder. For some reason it escaped from WinDirStat searched and Explorer properties and later reappeared. It's just a question of how to delete them.

windows key + r -> temp

delete all files inside of said folder.

Thanks! Wasn't sure if those files were needed by something or just garbage. Also thanks for helping me solve this! I got scared that something was wrong with my SSD. The final answer is a bit anti-climatic though. Only 10 words.

 

[rcald2000]

I think that I finally have the correct answer:

I think the unreported SPAAACE is being taken up by Windows indexing. I "think" location below is the correct one:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb

* Here's the catch, you'll most likely need to be logged into the Administrator account, in order to be able to see. You'll need to log into that account and then you can either move the index location, modify it, or completely turn off indexing.

Let me know what you think, as your issue has me fascinated.

Nope. That file only has 72 MB. The final answer, I think, is the windows temp folder. For some reason it escaped from WinDirStat searched and Explorer properties and later reappeared. It's just a question of how to delete them.

windows key + r -> temp

delete all files inside of said folder.

Thanks! Wasn't sure if those files were needed by something or just garbage. Also thanks for helping me solve this! I got scared that something was wrong with my SSD. The final answer is a bit anti-climatic though. Only 10 words.

Out of my own curiosity, how much space do you now have free?

 

[SwissAndOr]

I think that I finally have the correct answer:

I think the unreported SPAAACE is being taken up by Windows indexing. I "think" location below is the correct one:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb

* Here's the catch, you'll most likely need to be logged into the Administrator account, in order to be able to see. You'll need to log into that account and then you can either move the index location, modify it, or completely turn off indexing.

Let me know what you think, as your issue has me fascinated.

Nope. That file only has 72 MB. The final answer, I think, is the windows temp folder. For some reason it escaped from WinDirStat searched and Explorer properties and later reappeared. It's just a question of how to delete them.

windows key + r -> temp

delete all files inside of said folder.

Thanks! Wasn't sure if those files were needed by something or just garbage. Also thanks for helping me solve this! I got scared that something was wrong with my SSD. The final answer is a bit anti-climatic though. Only 10 words.

Out of my own curiosity, how much SPAAACE do you now have free?

The temp folder had 160-180 GB of space in it, and I reactivated hibernation and pagefile. I have 156 of 231 GB free now. Some of the 250 GB are being used for OP. Plenty of space left for the future, including my two other 1 TB drives.