My Vista system folder free space becomes smaller and smaller quite quickly

N

needhelps

Member
My Vista system folder free space becomes smaller and smaller quite quickly.

I increased a few GB but it is occupied again in a month.

I then downloaded Malicious Software Removal Tool. After run it for more than 10 hours, something was removed. However, the free space is still remain small.

How can I know what rubbish is occuping my system folder and can you tell me how to remove them if any?

Thank you in advance for your help!
 

My Computer

System One

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
My question is- how large is your hard drive and how much free space is available?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
Hi,

Thanks a lot for your helps.

1. I have checked my system folder is "5.28 GB free of 43.4 GB". A month ago it was about 5 GB free of 40 GB. I was increased it by a few GB and got 10 GB free!

2. After type vssadmin list shadowstarage and press Enter, I got following information about my system folder J at the moment:

Shadow Copy Dtorage association
For volumn: <J:>\\....
Shadow Copy Storage volumn: <J:>\\....
Used Shadow Copy Storage space: 8.164 GB
Allocated Shadow Copy Storage space: 8.369 GB
Maximum Shadow Copy Storage space: 5.288 GB

What is that mean? Should I reduce the amount of space as what you suggested?
 

My Computer

System One

richc46 said:
The most probable cause of your problem is System Restore points. Reduce the amount of space that they occupy http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76227-system-restore-disk-space.html Malware Run a full anti virus scan, download and run a full scan with malwarebytes or Your own stuff Download windirstat and see whats on the drive WinDirStat - Windows Directory Statistics
Click to expand...
Rich has some great advice and windirstat can be really helpful.

In addition clear all but the most recent restore point see step 14 here. When you do so that 8+ gb will go down. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76073-disk-cleanup.html

You can also use ccleaner to cleanup your hard drive or follow the other steps in the tutorial I posted. CCleaner - Download
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
Hi Experts,

I have just reduce the max restore space by
vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=D: /On=D: /Maxsize=3GB
and it was successfull!
However, I forgot to ask you is 3GB enough to hold atleast one system restore data? And how to check it now?
 

My Computer

System One

Thank you so much!

I have just set first restore point successful.
After that, I noticed the free space of system folder is reduced 0.3GB.

1. Can I say 0.3GB is the space occupied by my first restore point?
2. Will my free space of system folder be reduced every time a new restore point automatically installed?

Sorry for so many questions!
 

My Computer

System One

I guess system folder means hard drive. If all you have left is .3 Gb, I'm not sure how you're going to be able to do anything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
I believe that the OP is stating that his restore point is .3 GB. I didn't know about the vssadmin command so I tried it on my Vista virtual machine and mine said 3 point something gb. After I cleaned up the restore points I believe that it was at 800 something mb. 3 gb should be high enough for a few restore points.

What is overall usage now? The system partition should have at least 15% free for proper functionality. Do you keep personal documents on that drive? If so you might consider either adding an internal drive (if you have a desktop) or using an external drive for your personal documents, pictures, music, and videos. Another option is to disable hibernation if you don't use it. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/165508-hibernation-enable-disable.html
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
Whoops, I misread his statement. He said the free space was reduced "by" .3Gb and I read it to mean he only had .3 Gb of free space.:o Townsbg's advice is still appropriate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
Sorry, I cannot remember why I mentioned 0.3 GB!?!?

I think after the first restore point is created, the system files are copied into the restore space but it will stop very soon. The system files will be copied into the restore space agian when next restore point created. Now, I found only ONE restore point in my Vista, why the restore space is keep increasing?

Following information shows "Used Shadow Copy Storage space" has been keep increasing:

After I set 3GB "Maximum Shadow copy Storage space":
Used Shadow Copy Storage space: 0 B
Allocated Shadow Copy Storage space: 0 B
Maximum Shadow Copy Storage space: 3 GB

After I set my first restore point:
Used Shadow Copy Storage space: 102.406 MB
Allocated Shadow Copy Storage space: 400 MB
Maximum Shadow Copy Storage space: 3 GB

Later, I found:
Used Shadow Copy Storage space: 211.297 MB
Allocated Shadow Copy Storage space: 500 MB
Maximum Shadow Copy Storage space: 3 GB

Today, I found it increased a lot
Used Shadow Copy Storage space: 462.457 MB
Allocated Shadow Copy Storage space: 699.984 MB
Maximum Shadow Copy Storage space: 3 GB

Thaks a lot for your helps!
 

My Computer

System One

That still isn't alot. You know what shadow copy is right? Vista is using restore points to keep up with changes to your documents in addition to backing up system files in case you need a restore. The more changes that you are making to your documents the more space it will take up however shadow copy can be turned off. Even if you do turn off shadow copy (which really isn't necessary) you should still leave restore points enabled.

How do I... Configure and use shadow copy in Microsoft Windows Vista? TechRepublic
How to Reduce Shadow Copy on Windows Vista: 9 Steps
How to Turn Off Volume Shadow Copy in Windows Vista (howtohaven.com)

You never answered my question as to how much space you have available.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
Hi Townsbg,

"You never answered my question as to how much space you have available."

I am so sorry because I am going to crazy!
In my first place or this question, I mentioned my system folder was "5.28 GB free of 43.4 GB",
On 7/7/2013, just after I set the Maximum Shadow Copy Storage space it became "13.6 GB free of 43.4 GB",
Now, it is "12.6 GB free of 43.4 GB".
 

My Computer

System One

Have you run windirstat as rich suggested? Have you disabled hibernation? Do you use your hard drive for documents, music, and videos? There isn't much that you can do with a hard drive of that size except to minimize what you do with it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
I gave you the steps on how to clean up restore points.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
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