Why do I keep losing hard drive space on my computer and what can I do to regain it?

Question

I recently figured that I have a spyware problem on my 40 GB laptop. I installed Ad-Aware, Spybot, Avast, and did an online scan using Panda security. I have since deleted all of these programs, but I have Sophos and an old trial version of Trend Micro still around.

I noticed that I lost almost 1 GB of space... I only have 1.14 GBs left, but I checked for programs to uninstall, used disk clean-up, and used CCleaner.

Does anybody know why I lost space on my hard drive? Was it the installation and removal of those antivirus programs that did it? I went into Safe Mode a couple of times and also did a system diagnostic (pressed F12 when my computer just booted). Did this contribute?

What can I do to regain even more space? I am afraid to delete system restore points as I am not sure if my antivirus programs deleted essential system programs. I also afraid to defragment because I read somewhere that I need 15% of space in order to defrag effectively? Are these unsubstantial concerns?

Thanks to all of those who help this neurotic soul.

Answer 1

Hello,



The real answer is windows itself doesnt uninstall what is always installed. It bloats the hard drive over time. To fix this, I would copy all necessary folders and files you want to save, then erase the hard drive, reinstall windows, drivers, and move the folder/files back. You'll notice a lot of space is available now but the same stuff is in the hard drive.

Answer 2

Do you run a database program on your machine? this can cause that coz it stores and has back up for DB each day which can consume space.

When ever you browser it stores cookies, cache, forms, history, downloaded program files and temp files.

which also occupy space.

A spyware can also cause this

Which may install so many packages on your machine e.g keyloggers with it's back up operators.

It might not be active any longer ( server cannot be contacted coz your antivirus or antispyware might have blocked/broken that connection).

What you do is uninstall programs you don't need, perform disk clean up, clear history, cookies, history, cache, saved passwords and forms.run chkdsk

click start, run, type chkdsk.

keep your antivirus update and perform regularly.

uninstall programs you don;t use often.

when some programs update, the update files also occupies space.

Answer 3

you're particularly perplexed. reminiscence and hardcontinual area are no longer an analogous element. in case you have a 30 Gb annoyingcontinual, and in basic terms 7.4 gig attainable with a clean set up, then you certainly made a sizable mistake whilst your loaded homestead windows, loading it on a a lot smaller partition. once you reload the working equipment, you incredibly in basic terms choose one partition except you have a compelling reason to break it up. subsequently, delete all partions and reformat and you gets a single 30 gig. Your OS ought to in basic terms take approximately 4 or 5 gig max, so so you might have 23 gig or so of loose area after a suitable set up.

Answer 4

you SHOULD do a system restore, they are very easy and cheap. If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself maybe have a computer-savvy friend help you, or bring it in to a comp-usa / best buy type of a store, they will do it for you for a little fee.



I would also recommended getting an external hard rive to keep all the data you have now. so you don't lose anything. Good luck my friend