Windows 7 - missing free HDD space

I have Windows 7 installed on a 45 GB partition, and every now and then it gets full, and I have to resize that partition. I always thought this was quite normal. But it happened again today and this time, I'm sure it is not normal, because since last resizing (35GB -> 45GB) I did not install any new apps or anything and the sum of the folder sizes is off. Everything, including hidden, system, root folders and files is ~18GB, yet Windows is indicating that all 45 GB are used up.

Does anyone have any idea what is going on?

Solution 1:

Try to see what is taking disk space with a tool like WinDirStat.

It will show you how the space is used, and by what, so you will be able to understand and take measures according to this. Don't hesitate to edit your question with what exactly is taking more space, if you want more details about it.

Solution 2:

I like better Scanner for its useful pie design and right-click context menu:

Solution 3:

Another useful program in the fight against storage space, is "SpaceSniffer" (http://www.uderzo.it/main_products/space_sniffer/index.html). Tested on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and 7. Also freeware.

This program works great and quite fast (as fast as the machine can handle). Simple hover the mouse cursor over a data block or click for more information. There is even a tip on the author's website to integrate SpaceSniffer into the Windows Explorer Context Menu. Handy!

Check out the website, I'm new here and cannot post a picture. :)

Solution 4:

Please see this question. In my case, it was the shadow copy system using up more than 50% of my hard drive. The accepted answer solved the problem for me, and you can use the vssadmin to set a maximum amount of space to use.