Something on my system drive is taking ~20GB and I can't find it.

[warriotox]

EIDT
Apparently the 17GB file that wont show up in regular file explorer is a config file within system32 folder. Here's a screenshot of it's contents. Does it look ok to you? My Windows folder has 40GB thats seem to big to me

Hello everyone,
I have just discovered that something on my hard drive that has system on it is taking up around 20GB of space. I have unhide all the hidden files (even the system files), but I can't seem to find whatever it is that's taking up all the space. When I select all the files and folders on C:/ I get 47.6GB size on disk, but when I go to properties for C:/ in the Computer it says 67.3 Used space.

I have hiberantion turned off. Below are screenshots of the properties for the disk.
Computer->Local Disk C->Properties

Used Space: 67.3
Computer->Open Local Disk C->Select All->Properties

Size on disk: 47.6

The harddrive C:/ is on Intel SSD 330 - 120GB. And if it can help you here is a link to the HW in my PC http://www.czc.cz/69ak96712gh4p8sj075r96pqod/seznam It's in Czech language, but the titles underneath each picture are global.

I would like to know if you have any tips or advice on what it could be thats taking up all the space, or how to find it.

Thank you all for reading,
I am looking forward to your replies,

James.

 

[Eduello]

Download Glary Utilities: http://www.glarysoft.com/

Use the "Explore disks" tool to manage used disc space (it can sometimes even find files that have already been deleted from the recycle bin).

 

[warriotox]

There is a "config:$I130:$BITMAP" it has 18GB and does only shows in Glary Utilities. It is in System32 folder. Can I erase it? I have no clue what it is. But 18GB!!

 

[The Ginger]

Use Spacesniffer

http://www.uderzo.it/main_products/space_sniffer/

It will show you exactly what is taking up so much space.. if its 20gb, i'd already say that its either your hybernate file.. or your temp folder..

You can disable hibernate here - http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3152/~/disable-windows-8-fast-startup-(hibernate-file)

Use "Disk Cleanup" (type it into the run bar or metro menu) to clear some temp files..

Using spacesniffer you should be able to find out exactly what you want to know, i used it to clean up my own SSD.

 

[Eduello]

There is a "config:$I130:$BITMAP" it has 18GB and does only shows in Glary Utilities. It is in System32 folder. Can I erase it? I have no clue what it is. But 18GB!!

If you can delete it, it shouldn't be harmful to do so. If it turns out to be a mistake, you can just load the previous system restore point (make one before deleting the file).

Also, before doing that, try the "Cleanup" option in Glary Utilities.

 

[warriotox]

I cant delete it. File explorer doesnt find it. And deleting through Glary Util does not work. "Cleanup" also doesnt do anything. Goosh what do I do?

 

[spdragoo]

What message do you get when you try to delete it?

 

[The Ginger]

http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/303468-windows-8-system32-config-folder-33gb

Check this out..