Disappearing Hard Drive Space

  • Thread starter Thread starter Scientific
  • Start date Start date
S

Scientific

Hello all,

I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root drive
C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about 6.6GB
of used real estate. Strange huh!

I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer Tools,
Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then unchecked
(Hide protected operating system files). Same result.

I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is not
split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm perplexed
about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
experienced this?

-S
 
"Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EFF51B17-45BE-4BBB-815A-1FDEA82736A5@microsoft.com...
> Hello all,
>
> I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
> 16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root
drive
> C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about
6.6GB
> of used real estate. Strange huh!
>
> I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer Tools,
> Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then
unchecked
> (Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
>
> I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is not
> split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm
perplexed
> about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
> experienced this?
>
> -S


By default, system restore is set pretty high...way higher than needed...
that might account for at least some of the space you cannot account for
 
Have you checked for Temporary Internet files and also the Recycle Bin?
Also System Restore Points and Windows Update folders
($NtUninstallKB.....$).

Have a look a Disk Cleanup to see what it reports.

JS

"Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EFF51B17-45BE-4BBB-815A-1FDEA82736A5@microsoft.com...
> Hello all,
>
> I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
> 16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root
> drive
> C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about
> 6.6GB
> of used real estate. Strange huh!
>
> I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer Tools,
> Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then
> unchecked
> (Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
>
> I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is not
> split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm
> perplexed
> about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
> experienced this?
>
> -S
 
Philo,

Is there anyway to control the amount of disk space that System Restore uses?

-S

"philo" wrote:

>
> "Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:EFF51B17-45BE-4BBB-815A-1FDEA82736A5@microsoft.com...
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
> > 16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root
> drive
> > C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about
> 6.6GB
> > of used real estate. Strange huh!
> >
> > I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer Tools,
> > Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then
> unchecked
> > (Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
> >
> > I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is not
> > split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm
> perplexed
> > about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
> > experienced this?
> >
> > -S
>
>
> By default, system restore is set pretty high...way higher than needed...
> that might account for at least some of the space you cannot account for
>
>
>
 
On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:04:03 -0800, Scientific
<Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Hello all,
>
>I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
>16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root drive
>C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about 6.6GB
>of used real estate. Strange huh!
>
>I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer Tools,
>Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then unchecked
>(Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
>
>I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is not
>split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm perplexed
>about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
>experienced this?
>
>-S


It could be the reserve for the Master File Table

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/174619

Because of the importance of the MFT to NTFS and the possible impact on
performance if this file becomes highly fragmented, NTFS makes a special
effort to keep this file contiguous. NTFS reserves 12.5 percent of the
volume for exclusive use of the MFT until and unless the remainder of
the volume is completely used up.


That's no small amount.
 
JS,

Your mention of Windows Update folders lead me to the Windows folder where I
discoverd something quite interesting. Under the Windows folder are several
other folders blue in color that all begin with ($NtUninstall). I think
these folders are used by Windows to undo whatever was changed on your system
during the Windows Update. It appears that the Windows Explorer does not
include these folders when calculating disk space. Thus, my missing 10GB of
hard drive resides within those folders.

So now I have a new question to ask. Since I won't be reversing anything
changed by Windows Update, is it safe to delete all those ($NtUninstall)
folders?

-S

"JS" wrote:

> Have you checked for Temporary Internet files and also the Recycle Bin?
> Also System Restore Points and Windows Update folders
> ($NtUninstallKB.....$).
>
> Have a look a Disk Cleanup to see what it reports.
>
> JS
>
> "Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:EFF51B17-45BE-4BBB-815A-1FDEA82736A5@microsoft.com...
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
> > 16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root
> > drive
> > C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about
> > 6.6GB
> > of used real estate. Strange huh!
> >
> > I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer Tools,
> > Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then
> > unchecked
> > (Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
> >
> > I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is not
> > split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm
> > perplexed
> > about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
> > experienced this?
> >
> > -S
>
>
>
 
WaIIy,

Wow, now that's interesting. I never knew about this but since my volume is
FAT32 that would not apply in this case would it. Nevertheless, it's still
good to know these things and I certainly appreciate the FYI :-)

-S

"WaIIy" wrote:

> On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:04:03 -0800, Scientific
> <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >Hello all,
> >
> >I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
> >16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root drive
> >C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about 6.6GB
> >of used real estate. Strange huh!
> >
> >I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer Tools,
> >Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then unchecked
> >(Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
> >
> >I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is not
> >split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm perplexed
> >about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
> >experienced this?
> >
> >-S
>
>
> It could be the reserve for the Master File Table
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/174619
>
> Because of the importance of the MFT to NTFS and the possible impact on
> performance if this file becomes highly fragmented, NTFS makes a special
> effort to keep this file contiguous. NTFS reserves 12.5 percent of the
> volume for exclusive use of the MFT until and unless the remainder of
> the volume is completely used up.
>
>
> That's no small amount.
>
 
These folders and associated files in these folders are safe to remove,
however once deleted you will no longer be able to un-install a patch or
update that was associated with the deleted folder/files.
I would keep the most recent set (last two months just in case) of folders
and delete the older updates.
As a safety net I burned these folders to a CD before deleting them.

Warning: One folder you should not delete is: $hf_mig$

Also See Doug Knox's page on this issue:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm

JS

"Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B1459CDA-DEE6-46C1-8A8B-7874F6FD82D5@microsoft.com...
> JS,
>
> Your mention of Windows Update folders lead me to the Windows folder where
> I
> discoverd something quite interesting. Under the Windows folder are
> several
> other folders blue in color that all begin with ($NtUninstall). I think
> these folders are used by Windows to undo whatever was changed on your
> system
> during the Windows Update. It appears that the Windows Explorer does not
> include these folders when calculating disk space. Thus, my missing 10GB
> of
> hard drive resides within those folders.
>
> So now I have a new question to ask. Since I won't be reversing anything
> changed by Windows Update, is it safe to delete all those ($NtUninstall)
> folders?
>
> -S
>
> "JS" wrote:
>
>> Have you checked for Temporary Internet files and also the Recycle Bin?
>> Also System Restore Points and Windows Update folders
>> ($NtUninstallKB.....$).
>>
>> Have a look a Disk Cleanup to see what it reports.
>>
>> JS
>>
>> "Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:EFF51B17-45BE-4BBB-815A-1FDEA82736A5@microsoft.com...
>> > Hello all,
>> >
>> > I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
>> > 16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root
>> > drive
>> > C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about
>> > 6.6GB
>> > of used real estate. Strange huh!
>> >
>> > I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer
>> > Tools,
>> > Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then
>> > unchecked
>> > (Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
>> >
>> > I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is
>> > not
>> > split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm
>> > perplexed
>> > about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
>> > experienced this?
>> >
>> > -S
>>
>>
>>
 
To All Responders,

I found out that's it's ok to delete those $UnInstall folders under the
Windows folder. I wish to thank all who responded to this thread. I
appreciate your comments and suggestions to the max ;-)

-S

"Scientific" wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
> 16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root drive
> C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about 6.6GB
> of used real estate. Strange huh!
>
> I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer Tools,
> Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then unchecked
> (Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
>
> I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is not
> split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm perplexed
> about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
> experienced this?
>
> -S
 
Note: 10GB of $NtUpdate... folders, I don't think so, you should check to
see what Explorer reports if you choose to delete them per my previous post.

JS

"Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B1459CDA-DEE6-46C1-8A8B-7874F6FD82D5@microsoft.com...
> JS,
>
> Your mention of Windows Update folders lead me to the Windows folder where
> I
> discoverd something quite interesting. Under the Windows folder are
> several
> other folders blue in color that all begin with ($NtUninstall). I think
> these folders are used by Windows to undo whatever was changed on your
> system
> during the Windows Update. It appears that the Windows Explorer does not
> include these folders when calculating disk space. Thus, my missing 10GB
> of
> hard drive resides within those folders.
>
> So now I have a new question to ask. Since I won't be reversing anything
> changed by Windows Update, is it safe to delete all those ($NtUninstall)
> folders?
>
> -S
>
> "JS" wrote:
>
>> Have you checked for Temporary Internet files and also the Recycle Bin?
>> Also System Restore Points and Windows Update folders
>> ($NtUninstallKB.....$).
>>
>> Have a look a Disk Cleanup to see what it reports.
>>
>> JS
>>
>> "Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:EFF51B17-45BE-4BBB-815A-1FDEA82736A5@microsoft.com...
>> > Hello all,
>> >
>> > I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
>> > 16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root
>> > drive
>> > C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about
>> > 6.6GB
>> > of used real estate. Strange huh!
>> >
>> > I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer
>> > Tools,
>> > Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then
>> > unchecked
>> > (Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
>> >
>> > I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is
>> > not
>> > split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm
>> > perplexed
>> > about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
>> > experienced this?
>> >
>> > -S
>>
>>
>>
 
JS,

Will do, and thanks again :-)

-S

"JS" wrote:

> Note: 10GB of $NtUpdate... folders, I don't think so, you should check to
> see what Explorer reports if you choose to delete them per my previous post.
>
> JS
>
> "Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B1459CDA-DEE6-46C1-8A8B-7874F6FD82D5@microsoft.com...
> > JS,
> >
> > Your mention of Windows Update folders lead me to the Windows folder where
> > I
> > discoverd something quite interesting. Under the Windows folder are
> > several
> > other folders blue in color that all begin with ($NtUninstall). I think
> > these folders are used by Windows to undo whatever was changed on your
> > system
> > during the Windows Update. It appears that the Windows Explorer does not
> > include these folders when calculating disk space. Thus, my missing 10GB
> > of
> > hard drive resides within those folders.
> >
> > So now I have a new question to ask. Since I won't be reversing anything
> > changed by Windows Update, is it safe to delete all those ($NtUninstall)
> > folders?
> >
> > -S
> >
> > "JS" wrote:
> >
> >> Have you checked for Temporary Internet files and also the Recycle Bin?
> >> Also System Restore Points and Windows Update folders
> >> ($NtUninstallKB.....$).
> >>
> >> Have a look a Disk Cleanup to see what it reports.
> >>
> >> JS
> >>
> >> "Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:EFF51B17-45BE-4BBB-815A-1FDEA82736A5@microsoft.com...
> >> > Hello all,
> >> >
> >> > I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm using
> >> > 16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on root
> >> > drive
> >> > C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with about
> >> > 6.6GB
> >> > of used real estate. Strange huh!
> >> >
> >> > I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer
> >> > Tools,
> >> > Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then
> >> > unchecked
> >> > (Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
> >> >
> >> > I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive is
> >> > not
> >> > split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm
> >> > perplexed
> >> > about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
> >> > experienced this?
> >> >
> >> > -S
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>
 
You're welcome.

JS

"Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D79FE16B-051D-4138-B006-F0BCC326E8B7@microsoft.com...
> JS,
>
> Will do, and thanks again :-)
>
> -S
>
> "JS" wrote:
>
>> Note: 10GB of $NtUpdate... folders, I don't think so, you should check to
>> see what Explorer reports if you choose to delete them per my previous
>> post.
>>
>> JS
>>
>> "Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:B1459CDA-DEE6-46C1-8A8B-7874F6FD82D5@microsoft.com...
>> > JS,
>> >
>> > Your mention of Windows Update folders lead me to the Windows folder
>> > where
>> > I
>> > discoverd something quite interesting. Under the Windows folder are
>> > several
>> > other folders blue in color that all begin with ($NtUninstall). I
>> > think
>> > these folders are used by Windows to undo whatever was changed on your
>> > system
>> > during the Windows Update. It appears that the Windows Explorer does
>> > not
>> > include these folders when calculating disk space. Thus, my missing
>> > 10GB
>> > of
>> > hard drive resides within those folders.
>> >
>> > So now I have a new question to ask. Since I won't be reversing
>> > anything
>> > changed by Windows Update, is it safe to delete all those
>> > ($NtUninstall)
>> > folders?
>> >
>> > -S
>> >
>> > "JS" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Have you checked for Temporary Internet files and also the Recycle
>> >> Bin?
>> >> Also System Restore Points and Windows Update folders
>> >> ($NtUninstallKB.....$).
>> >>
>> >> Have a look a Disk Cleanup to see what it reports.
>> >>
>> >> JS
>> >>
>> >> "Scientific" <Scientific@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:EFF51B17-45BE-4BBB-815A-1FDEA82736A5@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Hello all,
>> >> >
>> >> > I have WinXP installed and Windows Explorer is reporting that I'm
>> >> > using
>> >> > 16.3GB of space on my 80GB hard drive. I have about 7 folders on
>> >> > root
>> >> > drive
>> >> > C: and I manually calculated the space myself and I came up with
>> >> > about
>> >> > 6.6GB
>> >> > of used real estate. Strange huh!
>> >> >
>> >> > I thought maybe there's some hidden folders so I went into Explorer
>> >> > Tools,
>> >> > Options, View and selected (Show hidden files and folders) and then
>> >> > unchecked
>> >> > (Hide protected operating system files). Same result.
>> >> >
>> >> > I can't see where the other 9.7GB of space is being used. My drive
>> >> > is
>> >> > not
>> >> > split into separate partitions so that can't be the problem. I'm
>> >> > perplexed
>> >> > about that almost 10GB of missing hard drive space. Has anyone else
>> >> > experienced this?
>> >> >
>> >> > -S
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>
 

Similar threads

R
What is wrong with my old laptop hard drive and how do I fix it?
Replies
1
Views
37
Tony D
Tony D
AWS
Unified Update Platform with ConfigMgr – Questions from the Field
Replies
0
Views
132
AWS
AWS
AWS
September 2023 - Microsoft 365 US Public Sector Roadmap Newsletter
Replies
0
Views
157
AWS
AWS
AWS
A clearer lens on Zero Trust security strategy: Part 1
Replies
0
Views
214
AWS
AWS
AWS
November 2022 - Microsoft 365 US Public Sector Roadmap Newsletter
Replies
0
Views
407
AWS
AWS
Back
Top