<UNKNOWN> file is eating my drive C

[Gane]

Hello everybody

I am loosing constantly free space from my C drive. I did WinDirStat and I can see in big yellow square where my free space is gone , but it says <Unknown> , so I am not able to locate the folder.
The total space of my C drive is 58 GB , Windows is taking 23GB , yet I have only 3.8 GB free space. Even when my PC is on and I am not working on it I still loose the space.
Please help,

Thank you.

 

[digitaldoc]

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/storage/3580427/how-find-out-whats-taking-up-space-on-your-hard-drive/

Try SpaceSniffer to look at what files are taking up so much space.

 

[ronintexas]

What version of Windows are you running? (or other Operating System?)

Windows updates, temporary files (especially temporary internet files), installation files, etc., all take up space on a drive. 58GB is not a lot for a hard drive. Make sure you have your virtual memory turned off, use disk cleanup to clear out the temporary installation files, and use a program like CCleaner to see if temporary internet files are eating up the drive.

 

[JimF_35]

It could be the swap file which is hidden. Go to Control Panel -> Select Folder Options -> Select the VIEW tab up top -> Check the "Show hidden files, folders, or drives" and also un-check the "Hide protected operating system files". This will allow you to see hidden files. Now go to your C: root drive and look for "pagefile.sys" and report back what size it is.

P.S. Do not delete it. You can reduce it by either Reducing your Virtual Memory or by turning it off as suggested above. Also remember to go back and rehide the system files.

 

[USAFRet]

System Restore points.
See how much it is taking up, and reduce it.

 

[Gane]

JimF_35

Now go to your C: root drive and look for "pagefile.sys" and report back what size it is.

I am not great at this, could you guide me please step by step as you did earlier ? Thanks

 

[JimF_35]

JimF_35

Now go to your C: root drive and look for "pagefile.sys" and report back what size it is.

I am not great at this, could you guide me please step by step as you did earlier ? Thanks

If you are not comfortable with doing this then just simply turn Virtual Memory off as "ronintexas" suggested. IF you delete the wrong files you can cause your system not to reboot. To turn off Virtual Memory I would need to know your Windows Version as asked above so I can give you steps but assuming it is Windows 7 try this..

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-virtual-memory-size#1TC=windows-7

 

[Gane]

It could be the swap file which is hidden. Go to Control Panel -> Select Folder Options -> Select the VIEW tab up top -> Check the "Show hidden files, folders, or drives" and also un-check the "Hide protected operating system files". This will allow you to see hidden files. Now go to your C: root drive and look for "pagefile.sys" and report back what size it is.

P.S. Do not delete it. You can reduce it by either Reducing your Virtual Memory or by turning it off as suggested above. Also remember to go back and rehide the system files.

JimF_35

Now go to your C: root drive and look for "pagefile.sys" and report back what size it is.

I am not great at this, could you guide me please step by step as you did earlier ? Thanks

If you are not comfortable with doing this then just simply turn Virtual Memory off as "ronintexas" suggested. IF you delete the wrong files you can cause your system not to reboot. To turn off Virtual Memory I would need to know your Windows Version as asked above so I can give you steps but assuming it is Windows 7 try this..

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-virtual-memory-size#1TC=windows-7

 

[Gane]

JimF_35

I did as per your instruction including suggestions from "ronintexas"

What is the next step ?

 

[JimF_35]

Reboot and the swap file should have shrank in size giving you more disk space back. What is your disk space utilization now?

 

[USAFRet]

JimF_35

I did as per your instruction including suggestions from "ronintexas"

What is the next step ?

Did you look into System Restore points?

 

[Gane]

Reboot and the swap file should have shrank in size giving you more disk space back. What is your disk space utilization now?

 

[Gane]

JimF_35 I reboot the PC but no difference , it's the same free space 3.75 GB , Unknown space is taking 29.6GB from 55 GB C drive

USAFret - how should I check the space that is taking restore point ?

 

[USAFRet]

JimF_35 I reboot the PC but no difference , it's the same free space 3.75 GB , Unknown space is taking 29.6GB from 55 GB C drive

USAFret - how should I check the space that is taking restore point ?

What OS are you using?
Win 8.1 - Control Panel - Recovery - Configure System Restore
Mine is currently set to 4% - 3.27GB. Yours may be something different.

 

[Gane]

Windows 7

 

[USAFRet]

Windows 7

For Win 7:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/how-much-disk-space-does-system-restore-require

Start
Right click Computer, select Properties
System Protection
Protection Settings
Configure
Disk Space Usage....what is it set to?

 

[Gane]

Disc Space Usage

Current usage 161.38 MB
Max.usage 50% 4.88 GB

 

[USAFRet]

I think a screencap of WinDirStat, and your Disk Manager windows would be helpful here.