something is taking up my hard drive space.

[muddymorn]

This is actually occuring on two computers I have. On one of them, the C: drive says 25 gigs are "used," but if I add up the space being used by every file/folder in the drive, it only adds up to 12 gigs. In the other, it says 9 gigs is used, but the items in the drive only add up to around 6 gigs.

What is eating the difference?!?! I have looked in every folder, and I have tried to change every option to make sure windows is "showing" all files. I can't find the missing space eater.

THANK YOU for any help!

[r4may]

Have you added in the size of the Swap file ?

[muddymorn]

Have you added in the size of the Swap file ?

I can't imagine a 13 gig swap file. How do I find the swap file in windows xp? if that is not the same place as where I can change the settings, can you please tell me how to do that too? I will hope that is it! Thank you!

Have you added in the size of the Swap file ?

I found the swap file. Please ignore my last reply. I need to get to the two computers I referenced in my post to see if that is it. Assuming it is not, because 13 gigs does not seem like a reasonable swap file, any other thoughts? THanks again!

[-pops-]

Are you taking into account the space taken up by the operating system and programs?

Do you have a pre-installed operating system with hidden "recovery" files, or any other hidden files connected with that?

Are you using a backup system which has a hidden drive space (e.g Acronis Secure Zone)?

[muddymorn]

Are you taking into account the space taken up by the operating system and programs?

Do you have a pre-installed operating system with hidden "recovery" files, or any other hidden files connected with that?

Are you using a backup system which has a hidden drive space (e.g Acronis Secure Zone)?

I removed the swap file and my used c: drive space has dropped accordingly. It did not solve my problem. on the one computer i have before me now, this is the situation:

If I add up the size of every file and folder in C: (including the windows folder, the program files folder, etc), the total space used is 6.18 gigs. Nevertheless, if I right-click on C: and select properties, it tell me that 8.37 gigs is used on the C: drive. I am trying to find out what is using the 1.19 gigs.

In my explorer, I have gone into tools, folder options, and I do not believe there are any hidden folders/files that I cannot see.

I am not using any back up software that I am aware of. Could it be part of a windows back up system that I am not finding?

Again, since I have checked every folder in windows, it just doesn't make sense. It is like 2+2 = 6.

Thanks again!!!

[thinontop]

System restore, by default, will take 12% of your hard drive space. So if you use a 25gig drive, around 3 gig will be used for system restore. That is a big chunk.

" C: drive says 25 gigs are "used," Sorry I thought you said your C: was 25Gb.

If your C: is using 25Gb and say your hard drive is 80Gb. Then you could loose nearly 10Gb to system restore.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Disk Space Plus is a utility that can tell you exactly where your disk space is used. You can download a demo version that can be used 12 times. It takes a while to display the result if you have very large partitions.