Windows Gobbles Up Space for No Reason

mufaa

New Member
Messages
28
This morning I had 6GB of free space on my SSD. In the evening, it dropped to 3GB for no reason whatsoever. Yes, there was a windows update but I hoped that i would get that space back after applying the update. But that's not the case.

I am beyond frustrated by this. This has happened many times before and its driving me up the wall. Is there a reason for this? How do I stop this from happening? Any help will be appreciated!

Specs:
Intel Core i7 @ 3.20Ghz
12GB of RAM
GTX 680
Windows 8.1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo E525
    CPU
    AMD A4-3300M @ 2,0GHz
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6480G 512MB shared
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 465GB
    Cooling
    Fusion Tweaker
    Keyboard
    Logitech K360
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    50/50 MBps
    Browser
    Yandex
    Antivirus
    No AV & No Firewall
    Other Info
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS170
Didn't work. It says "Error: 14908. The component store has been corrupted."

I tried this twice and lost around 300mbs. :S
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo E525
    CPU
    AMD A4-3300M @ 2,0GHz
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6480G 512MB shared
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 465GB
    Cooling
    Fusion Tweaker
    Keyboard
    Logitech K360
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    50/50 MBps
    Browser
    Yandex
    Antivirus
    No AV & No Firewall
    Other Info
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS170
Thanks for the swift response. :) This did not work, however. Even despite successfully repairing corruption, the previous step to clean the windows component store still gives the same error.

Is there a reason why I simply lost 3Gb? Is it because of Windows Update? Will I ever get that space back?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
9PG4DPG.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
TreeSize is bloody brilliant. Always wanted a software like this to help me keep track of the folder sizes. Already have deleted 7GB worth of bullshit that Windows kept for no reason.

Now to reclaim the 3GB that Windows ate.

Here's the view of the Windows folder expanded: http://i.imgur.com/25znanQ.jpg

See the 12GB installer folder? What is that? Within it is a 10GB folder containing these: http://i.imgur.com/XPaXmmM.jpg

There is also a folder called PatchCache which is 2.5GB, containing these: http://i.imgur.com/DzkLgwh.jpg

View of the WinSxS folder: http://i.imgur.com/7X4jwWE.jpg

Can these be cleaned?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
My PatchCache has zero size, but just like the Installer and WinSxS folders, they should be cleaned with above command. Since it does not work, try using Disc Cleanup, select Clean up system files.

Disk Cleanup - Open and Use - Windows 7 Help Forums

You might also consider using CCleaner and WiseCare, they help to get rid of some junk, like:
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo E525
    CPU
    AMD A4-3300M @ 2,0GHz
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6480G 512MB shared
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 465GB
    Cooling
    Fusion Tweaker
    Keyboard
    Logitech K360
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    50/50 MBps
    Browser
    Yandex
    Antivirus
    No AV & No Firewall
    Other Info
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS170
Thanks for the quick response.

I have read that deleting files from the Installer folder and PatchCache might prevent a user from uninstalling/installing files and programs. If I use the softwares you mentioned, will it create any such problems?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo E525
    CPU
    AMD A4-3300M @ 2,0GHz
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6480G 512MB shared
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    WD 465GB
    Cooling
    Fusion Tweaker
    Keyboard
    Logitech K360
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    50/50 MBps
    Browser
    Yandex
    Antivirus
    No AV & No Firewall
    Other Info
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS170
See the 12GB installer folder? What is that? Within it is a 10GB folder
The C:\Windows\Installer folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored
To clean this folder. You probably need to use: Msizap.exe (Windows)

You also have a folder called: ESD. This folder probably contains the .esd file from Windows upgrade and it has 2.7 GB in size. Open the Admin command prompt and run: cleanmgr to see if you can reclaim all the space from Windows upgrade.

Whatever you do. I suggest to make a complete system backup image first using: Macrium Reflect Free
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Then might happen, only if you would delete it manually, but even then it can be fixed.
Since component cleanup does not work, it might be prudent to do a system scan before.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/3047-sfc-scannow-command-run-windows-8-a.html

Hmm. So just to be clear, I just run a system scan as you suggested before going ahead with Wise Care?

See the 12GB installer folder? What is that? Within it is a 10GB folder
The C:\Windows\Installer folder is where some but not all applications uninstall files and folders are stored
To clean this folder. You probably need to use: Msizap.exe (Windows)

You also have a folder called: ESD. This folder probably contains the .esd file from Windows upgrade and it has 2.7 GB in size. Open the Admin command prompt and run: cleanmgr to see if you can reclaim all the space from Windows upgrade.

Whatever you do. I suggest to make a complete system backup image first using: Macrium Reflect Free

- So I should use msizap g, in my case?

- cleanmgr detects nothing. Probably 50mb worth of stuff that's not related to ESD.


I also see the hiberfil.sys file, but every guide discourages to turn off hibernation for Windows 8 as the .sys file actually helps in the boot up process. Is that true? I fancy the 9GB it will save but I don't want to compromise the speed of the PC in any way.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
- So I should use msizap g, in my case?
Personally, I would not use msizap.exe. However, 10GB in this folder indicates that you might have some orphan uninstallers but you don't know which one so it is safer to leave it alone. Some suggests you can move the contents of this folder out of C: drive then when you uninstall something and if it breaks then all you need is to restore this folder to perform uninstallation.

- cleanmgr detects nothing. Probably 50mb worth of stuff that's not related to ESD.
Instead of using cleanmgr. From the Admin command prompt, Use:
%SystemRoot%\System32\Cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sageset:35 & Cleanmgr /sagerun:35
It will gives more options and one of those option is to clean up the esd file.

I also see the hiberfil.sys file, but every guide discourages to turn off hibernation for Windows 8 as the .sys file actually helps in the boot up process. Is that true? I fancy the 9GB it will save but I don't want to compromise the speed of the PC in any way.
Again, I never use hibernation. If your PC is a Laptop and you have fastboot turn on then you will need it.

Another safe place to clean up is: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download. You can delete all the files in this folder and might save quite a bit of disk space, These files are the downloaded Windows Updates that have been installed in your PC and no longer needed. I always delete these after Windows Updates. NOTE: Do not delete the contents of this folder while Windows Updates is performing Updates.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
- So I should use msizap g, in my case?
Personally, I would not use msizap.exe. However, 10GB in this folder indicates that you might have some orphan uninstallers but you don't know which one so it is safer to leave it alone. Some suggests you can move the contents of this folder out of C: drive then when you uninstall something and if it breaks then all you need is to restore this folder to perform uninstallation.

- cleanmgr detects nothing. Probably 50mb worth of stuff that's not related to ESD.
Instead of using cleanmgr. From the Admin command prompt, Use:
%SystemRoot%\System32\Cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sageset:35 & Cleanmgr /sagerun:35
It will gives more options and one of those option is to clean up the esd file.

I also see the hiberfil.sys file, but every guide discourages to turn off hibernation for Windows 8 as the .sys file actually helps in the boot up process. Is that true? I fancy the 9GB it will save but I don't want to compromise the speed of the PC in any way.
Again, I never use hibernation. If your PC is a Laptop and you have fastboot turn on then you will need it.

Another safe place to clean up is: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download. You can delete all the files in this folder and might save quite a bit of disk space, These files are the downloaded Windows Updates that have been installed in your PC and no longer needed. I always delete these after Windows Updates. NOTE: Do not delete the contents of this folder while Windows Updates is performing Updates.

- Sweet. I chose to move the ESD folder to another drive INCASE I need it, since Windows uses it to refresh/reset the PC.
- SoftwareDistriubtion\Download software contained 18mb worth of stuff, so leaving it untouched. But thanks, I will keep this folder in mind whenever Windows updates!
- So turning off Hibernation in Windows 8 will not affect the boot up speed? I have a desktop.

Thanks for you help guys! Jumped from 2GB of space to 12GB!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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