Why is Vista stealing hard disk space?

binarysoul

I have to say I hate Vista with passion!

I'm using a loaner Vista and there wasn't enough space, so I deleted some music and got about 3GB of disk space. Without me dowloading anything, it's now down to 24MB !

What's going on guys?

Michael.J.Palmer

How big is the partition you're installing it on? How much free space did you have before the installation?

Even with loaner copies to use the trial version you'll still need to meet the system requirements and Vista has a lot (just like Windows 7 since both are basically the same with 7 just being a better tuned version of Vista really...) Also, are you using the x86 or x64 version?

Here's a link to the requirements for Vista just so you can consult that if need be: Get Windows Vista: System requirements

tiersten

It isn't Vista doing it. It is something else. You're "Blaming tfosorciM" when it isn't their fault. I'm not surprised you don't like Vista if you're automatically blaming it.

Vista will create some log files and some other housekeeping files as will any other mainstream OS but it won't suddenly create 3GB+ worth of it without you noticing. If it did then something else is badly broken and making it do this.

Go look at the other software installed and whatever you've done recently.

Michael.J.Palmer

To go along with what they've said, where did you get your "loaner" copy? Did you actually borrow a Vista installation CD or did you download it via a Torrent file since there is no "legit" trial version of Vista for download online.

If you downloaded it then it's possible that it may be laced with some sort of virus that is eating up the rest of your hard drive space. Just a possibility.

tpatt100

When I installed Vista when it came out my cat died and my house burned down.


True story.

earweed

If you just installed this on your comp then it may have done updates (many updates including service pack) which will take up a lot of space.
If it's a loaner computer with vista installed it's probably something besides Vista doing the disc space usage.

humdingy02

The Shadow Copy feature could be using a lot of space (though not all of it like you mention). Even though it's not a usable feature on the Home versions, it's still running for some reason. I had a Home Basic machine with around 40GB wasted on this.

Open an elevated command prompt and type: vssadmin list shadowstorage
It'll show how much is being used and how much is allocated for it. It may not be the entire problem, but looking doesn't hurt.

jrmeulemans

powercfg.exe -h off

tiersten

humdingy02 wrote: »

The Shadow Copy feature could be using a lot of space (though not all of it like you mention). Even though it's not a usable feature on the Home versions, it's still running for some reason. I had a Home Basic machine with around 40GB wasted on this.

Open an elevated command prompt and type: vssadmin list shadowstorage
It'll show how much is being used and how much is allocated for it. It may not be the entire problem, but looking doesn't hurt.

Volume Shadow Copy is used internally by Windows. Its part of the System Restore mechanism and the backup/restore tool. It wouldn't suddenly use up 3GB anyway.

All that is lacking from Home is actually the GUI interface for VSS. The rest of it as you've found out is still running and you can use it like you would with other editions if you get a utility that allows access.

Alif_Sadida_Ekin

Is hibernate enabled? If so, this could take up a couple gigs. Look under disk cleanup to see if this is the case.

gateway

tpatt100 wrote: »

When I installed Vista when it came out my cat died and my house burned down.

I really shouldn't laugh.......... but I did. Sorry.


Anyway...

Why don't you just do a search for files modified/created today (or when the disk fills up again)?

tpatt100

When I said true story I was joking lol

Hyper-Me

Yes, VSS or "Previous Versions" can use a ton of storage. I regular delete some on Server 08's at work and on previous version date can free up as much as 5-6 GB.

Clean up the old ones you don't need or just turn it off (although it can really save your arse)

EDIT: and even if its Vista Home

The worst part is, although Previous Versions feature in not enabled in Vista Home Premium and Basic, but the snapshot backup of Shadow Copy actually includes all files including user data files, which is not necessary for System Restore function. This behavior eats up plenty of hard disk space and system resources, yet users cannot access the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]backups[/COLOR][/COLOR] of these user data files in the event they need it most.

tiersten

Hyper-Me wrote: »

Yes, VSS or "Previous Versions" can use a ton of storage. I regular delete some on Server 08's at work and on previous version date can free up as much as 5-6 GB.

It automatically purges old copies though when you're low on disk space. It won't go all the way down to 24MB free.

GAngel

do a disk cleanup. You'll get your space back. There is a cleanup for system restore aka vss that will only keep the most recent copy.