bloated C: disk

[Nymala]

hi
hope someone can help me.
I have a 500GB SSD disk and this morning I got the error message that the disk is full - naturally I cleaned all the junk files and deleted some unnecessary programs
when I look at the properties, it tells me now: Used Space 383 GB, Free Space 80.7GB
when I look at all the folder/file size it tells me that I have used only (about) 65GB
Paragon HD tell me: Recovery 499MB, System 260MB (OEM), Local 16mb, OS (C) 464.5GB (and in a popup window Partition Size 464.5, Used Space 67.6GB, Free Space 396.8GB9
I've researched on the net, but sofar I am stumped.
Thanks in advanced for any tips.

 

[Saltgrass]

If you open Settings, System, Storage, you can click on a partition and get a listing of what is on it.

If you click on one item it may allow you to remove something you do not need.

There have been cases of some file getting very large due to some data being written to it. You might find something like that.

You show the EFI partition showing as OEM, does it show that way in Disk Management? It might be the Paragon software but it should show as EFI System Partition. There have been situations where the EFI partition had a drive letter added to it which is not correct.

 

[Trouble]

There have been cases of some file getting very large due to some data being written to it.

Yes.... as I recall it was one of the newer database format files with a .edb file extension, perhaps Windows.edb
In another instance I believe it had something to do with a Dell program using up space with some backup files

EDIT: I found an older thread that makes mention of it here
https://www.windows10forums.com/threads/where-has-all-my-storage-space-gone.12407/page-2#post-59915

 

[Tim Locke]

I noticed that Program Files, Program files (x86) and Windows were each twice as big as my W10 PC which is running 1703. BUt that difference is only 22Gb or so. My PC has not had a clean build for a long time...so I would expect my machine to be full of cruft.

 

[davehc]

As Tim says, those two folders are extraordinarily large?
But, there are a couple of other possibilities.
Have a look at your system restore points.
They can build up, you won't see them but they can under some circumstances, use a large portions of your drive.
If you wish,you can control how much disk space they are allowed to use:

Right right on "This PC" and select properties
Click System protection
Select configure
Choose max usage to limit how much space you wish to allocate.

Another outside possibility is that you have a hidden partition, say, for example, factory recovery.
From your post, this seems unlikely, as the problem has only suddenly popped up. But you could open the Administrative tools in the Start menu - Computer management - Disk Management, and see if there is any unlisted partition sitting there.

 

[Nymala]

Thanks for the replies & tips

@ dacehc: re restore points - that is turned off on my pc, as I am using RollbackRX and snapshots are automatically deleted after 3 days or is locked moved to an external hd. same with all specific folderfile backups - all saved to an external hd.
re unlisted partitions - no unlisted ones

@ Tim Locke: Program files and windows ARE big, because I have a lot of graphic & office programs etc.
The win10 folder I don't touch (as I don't know what I am doing -grin). big sub folders within windows are Assembly (1gb), Installer (4gb), Microsoft.NET (1gb), Software Distribution (2gb), System 32 (4.5gb), SysWOW64 (1.5gb) and WinSxS (7gb)
I presume the general advice from most people will be: HANDS OFF and I agree

@ Trouble: thanks for the link ... sounds very similar to what I experience, but unfortunately the advice didn't help

@ Saltgrass: OEM only shows under Paragon. the system was set up by myself from scratch with full MS License (new fromatted HDs after my old machine crashed -sigh). All Drive letters are correct as far as I can see.


UPDATE: checked this morning before answering this post and I had 80.1GB free space .... just checked again (I am getting paranoid - rofl) and on a sudden I have 188GB free .... huh?????????. will check again when I come back form morning walkies with my dog and post any result here.

 

[Nymala]

UPDATE : now free space is 185GB ,,,, 3 less from before I walked the dog .. in other word, I haven't been on the computer. Taskmanager shows me some active processes right now , but nothing unusual (as far as I can see)