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My friend has a 55GB hard drive using Windows XP and 50G is in the windows folder - any ideas (as you know I am a Linux baby so I dont touch Windoze)

Sling it?

I've got a USB memory stick bigger than that!

she only uses it for surfing the net. once Windows loads it keeps telling her that her HD is full - I had a quick look around and by the time windows had loaded I was bored (wow - how long does it take compared to Linux) anyway she cant download anything because the HD is full - I was thinking of a full install). She has 50GB in her Windows folder - something is definatly up there

Open the Windows folder and see what is in it. Remove all that she does not use that is not Windows/Microsoft related.
Also have a look in Program Files. She may have a load of programs that she does not use.

My Windows Folder is 20.5GB with 86,686 files in 19,264 folders and that is for Windows 7 Home Premium.



dave

dont just delete stuff willy nilly (hehe i said willy)


start->run->services.msc -> ok

stop the automatic updates service

start->run->C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution -> ok

Delete everything in this folder then start the automatic updates

haha....you said willy!

Disk Cleanup will help out here too, see what it's got to contribute - but I'm going with the above. Roots smart. He makes things go.

Also....I don't think linux vs Windows is really an issue here.....anything machine with a 60 odd GB hdd is going to be a pile of shite (unless it's a 60GB SSD).

I thank you.

BG

I did run disk cleanup but that hardly got rid of anything.

I will give Roots suggestion a go when I pop down there again

Cheers guys

Better/easier/quicker to copy everything she wants to keep onto an external hard drive then reinstall windows.

XP would be my choice for an internet only machine with such a small hdd.

Willy

ubuntu or a cut down derivitive would be better just for browsing tbf but the majority of space in windows folders will be taken up by the swd folder as above. it stores all windows downloaded patches updates and history there.

root wrote:ubuntu or a cut down derivitive would be better just for browsing tbf but the majority of space in windows folders will be taken up by the swd folder as above. it stores all windows downloaded patches updates and history there.

and it also stores your soul in there. With a flange or two.

If you just pop the flang into a nipple you can clear it out

Empty the 'temorary internet files' folder(s) or run CCleaner to do it for you.

kellys_eye wrote:Empty the 'mammory gland' or run CCleaner to do it for you.

HeHee...KE wrote mammory gland.....or not as the case may be...

Sort of slight update -

Followed Roots instructions but there was hardly anything in the SoftwareDistribution Folder. I did want to try to download CCleaner but since there is no space on the HD I couldnt.

The lady is back in work soon (she works in a school) so will give it to the tech person there to re-install everything (I havent got the disks). She does have a spare laptop she is using so its not too bad.

Thanks again