Used / Free Space Issue

I don't know what's going on anymore. For some reason my computer is gaining used space like crazy. Within the last 5 days it probably gained like 10 gb worth of used space even when I'm doing nothing at all. Probably in the pass 4 hours or so I noticed my used hard drive space went up by 2 gb. I'm starting to get worried... I tried AVG Virus scanning as well as Malware Bytes Anti-Malware. As we speak I'm trying a disk fragmentation. Nothing came up wrong when I did the Malware scan but when I did the AVG scan it came up with fishy firefox advertisement files. But other than that I have no idea what else there is to say.

There was also Vista service pack update four days ago, the next day another update, followed by like 5 updates. That might explain the 10 gb in some way. However the 2 gb recently is odd.

I am currently using Window Vista Home Premium 64-bits.
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I would try resetting to factory settings using the Gateway Recovery Management built into my laptop but I looked online and Its said to be a one time thing so I'm not all that sure. My sources might be wrong or they might be right. But if it was a one time thing it would be quite a waste since I got this only last summer.

Hello,

I'm think it might have configured some backup software to image or backup your files that is taking all these space. Do you using any ?

- Captain

Make an antivirus scan

Download and scan with malwarebytes.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

To Capt.Jack Sparrow: I have no idea what your talking about, sorry... T.T

To richc46: Yes Richc46, I have tried it a couple of hours ago. Here is my result,
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46
Malwarebytes

Database version: 4322

Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18928

7/17/2010 6:19:32 PM
mbam-log-2010-07-17 (18-19-32).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|)
Objects scanned: 315105
Time elapsed: 1 hour(s), 49 minute(s), 11 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Hello,

Sorry ! Check this document and go to your task Scheduler and see if you have create or some task is scheduled there Windows Vista: A Guide to Windows Vista Backup Technologies

- Captain

I don't quite follow what you want me to do... This is what that first page I was directed from looks like on my computer.

Lets analyze your hard drive, download this and then give us a screen shot

Disktective, freeware disk-space reporting tool for Windows

Here is the scan you requested

I cannot analyze it from here without your help. Starting with the largest piece (users), use the panel on the left to determine what it contains. If you recognize everything there is no problem. If there are large amounts of space taken by what you do not recognize, that may be a problem. If you recognize something that is taken a lot of space, we can delete it, if you no longer want it.

But I think that we will find out that the captain was right, the space is being used by backups.

Everything seem to be accounted for so I have no idea what's going on..

Also within the time that we been talking I gained 2 gb O.o...

Hello,

First lets enable Hidden Files and Folder and Operating System protected files. Follow this article How to find the Folder Options menu | Windows Vista for Beginners and enable Hidden Files and Folder and uncheck "Hide Operating System Protected Files" then apply and OK.

Sorriez I didn't see the second page and yes my hidden folders have been set to show from the start. So yes it's showing.

Now look for files in C drive some files in Users etc. and if you find something big files . Manually go to all folders and find files. Look the large ones. Download CCleaner and run it.

- Captain

Well in my user files there is nothing out of the ordinary. All files that make up the GB that is being taken up, 11gb worth of fines, can all be accounted for.

Kokito01 said:

Well in my user files there is nothing out of the ordinary. All files that make up the GB that is being taken up, 11gb worth of fines, can all be accounted for.

Click to expand...

Did you ran CCleaner ??

Also download this software http://www.jam-software.com/freeware/TreeSizeFree.zip and check which folder is taking up lot of space. Its Tree View so you can keep expanding and finally find which folder taking lot of spaces.

- Captain

Yes I just ran CCleaner and it only cleared 600ish mb, not enough to account for the gain. O.o.

Is there anything else?

Kokito01 said:

Yes I just ran CCleaner and it only cleared 600ish mb, not enough to account for the gain. O.o.

Is there anything else?

Click to expand...

Download that software i mention and expand each tree and find which folder is taking up lot of space.

I just downloaded and did it, nothing I can understand is wrong but I have two question, what are these files?

That is very odd, look at this picture. Compare the reading of the total used GB on the tree thingy and look at the used GB on my property thingy. They don't add up at all, they are off by at least 20gb.