I'm missing 20 GB of space

[Quattro Pete]

When I click on the properties of C: drive, it shows me that I've used 47 GB of space:

Now, when I select all the files and folders in the C:\ root directory (including hidden and system files), it shows that they take up 27 GB of space:

Why the discrepancy? What is occupying that additional 20 GB of space? How do I find it and delete it?

This is Vista Home Premium SP1. I ran C-cleaner on it, but that 20 GB is still missing somewhere.

 

[moribundman]

Could Shadow Copy be the issue?

 

[CivicFan]

Dell creates a hidden partition for restoring C: to the original condition. Your computer may have something like that, too.

 

[MysticGold04]

I instantly thought the OS could be holding that for swap space, but I would think that it would be included with the hidden/system files...

another possibility is some sort of shadow backup??

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

If you have UAC (User Access Control) on, it won't count all the system folders as you can't see them.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Could Shadow Copy be the issue?

Right on! I checked and had about 20 GB used by Shadow Copy. It was set to 33.5 GB maximum (15% of the drive's capacity). I reduced it to 6 GB. Thanks!

It's interesting though - I only had this PC for 2 days, and it already created enough system restore points to take up 20 GB. Sheesh, Bill! I know HDD space is cheap nowadays, but I don't want to have to buy a new drive every week!

 

[moribundman]

I was just guessing. Being a Mac guy, I really know very little about PCs. I just snap up tidbits of info here and there. Glad to be of help, though!