Disappearing Hard Drive Memory. please help!

[richc46]

Yes that is fine. Vista makes backups before the defrag just in case.
Use the new defrag when you are at or over 10% frag.

 

[fouroh77]

Okay Thanks. So now it's just finding and deleting the files that aren't needed?

 

[richc46]

Ok now part 2
Download ccleaner. Then when you have done that I will tell you how to set it up to get rid of crap that is not needed. BTW, it is now called ccleaner it was called crap cleaner but they changed the name.

 

[fouroh77]

Okay, I installed it.

 

[richc46]

Under windows check
temp internet files
history
cookies
recently typed urls

empty recycle bin
temp files
clip board
memory dumps
file fragments
log files

APPlICATIONs

Make sure that registry is completely unchecked

For now do not delete cookies

 

[fouroh77]

So, on the left hand side under registry, everything should be unchecked as well as everything under the applications tab next to the windows tab?

 

[richc46]

Registry all unchecked this is important
Then for applications all should be checked. This is suggested.

 

[fouroh77]

what exactly is being gotten rid of here? they don't get rid of the program right, they're just files?

 

[ilikefree]

They are just temporary file that are no longer needed.
Also you asked earlier when talking about defrag

Okay Thanks. So now it's just finding and deleting the files that aren't needed?

Defragging does not delete any files it just tries to put file fragments closer together on your disc so you can access them quicker,nothing deleted with defrag.

 

[fouroh77]

^ thanks, and yes, i knew that, bad wording on my part, i was just saying that i was going to have to go through and see what files that i personally needed to delete. sorry about the confusion.

 

[richc46]

Dont do anything unless you are comfortable. Always ask if you feel concerned.

 

[fouroh77]

Okay, I ran the cleaner with everything suggested and I still only have 7.45 gb free.

 

[ilikefree]

Richc46, if he is not going to use Windows defragger you should maybe tell him how to remove the scheduled task from task scheduler.Don't want two running.

 

[richc46]

Very good point Rog
Turn off the schedule for the Windows Defrag. You do not want two running at the same time.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/72832-disk-defragmenter.html

Then Defrag only when 10% or more is needed.

 

[fouroh77]

She, heh. and I don't believe it's scheduled. I've never scheduled it to do so, unless it is set up like that automatically.

Yes i just checked and it is not set on a schedule

 

[richc46]

Its set by default, turn it off.

 

[fouroh77]

okay.

 

[richc46]

I think that you are going to be in good shape when all this is done.

 

[fouroh77]

I did everything you've said so far, and like I said, there is still only 7.45 gb of space left... is that okay or is there something else i should do?

 

[richc46]

There is no magic available space number. It depends on the size of your hard drive and space used.
Make a system restore point and then download windirstat. We can see exactly what is on your hard drive. When we are done we can use system restore to get rid of it, if you dont want it. But it will help answer your question, now.
WinDirStat - Windows Directory Statistics