Disk C is full: what to do and how to clean?

It does not matter what the capacitive resources have a hard drive installed on your computer. Sooner or later there will come a time when the free space on the hard drive will approach the critical minimum. And if you are reading this article, it is logical to assume that you are facing a certain disaster that can be characterized with a capacious character by one short question: "Disk C is full: what should I do?". Probably, to everything else you began to overcome various system messages that pop up from some time on the screen of your monitor with a predictable periodicity. Finally, the computer pauses bravely, and from the past performance there are only memories. Well, it's time to act! Resolute, with attention, as well as effective methods described in the article, will help you with the inherent experience of experienced users to cope with the digital problems that have fallen down.

When the "C" disk is completely full, you need to clear it from "digital garbage"

The fact is that the operating system constantly stores certain temporary files in specially allocated areas of disk space, where large amounts of data can accumulate. As you understand, these folders should be periodically cleaned.

Note: hereinafter all descriptions and scenario actions are designed for use in the operating environment of Windows 7. However, given the universality of the methods presented, literally all the material in this article is applicable to other Microsoft operating systems.

We proceed to the realization of the

• Open the "Computer" section.
• Right-click on the system partition "C", select the last item "Properties" from the drop-down list.
• On the General tab, activate the Disk Cleanup button.
• After a short analysis, the window with the same name will open, in which it is necessary to mark the files for deletion.
• With the items highlighted, click OK.
• After you confirm your actions, a short-term cleaning process will follow.

However, the affected issue is "Filled with drive C: how to clean?" Requires further consideration.

Where gigabytes leave: system restore points

Nobody denies that the function implemented in Windows "rollback of the system to a stable state" is really useful and often in demand operational instrument. However, everything should be in moderation. At the same time, the default settings involve a non-stop process of saving system copies. After the next OS updates, critical changes in the registry, and also according to the established schedule, a special Windows service sends the control "snapshot" of the operating environment to the backup storage with meticulous accuracy. If we take into account the fact that most of such copies will never be used, we can conclude that the disk space, as a result of excessive reinsurance, is simply wasted, which leads to the fact that the user starts to think about resolving the question: "The disk C is full : what to do?".

• Log in to the control panel.
• Activate the "System" section.
• Click the link located on the left side of the "Protection ..." service window.
• Select the system disk and click on the "Configure" button.
• After you click on the "Delete" button, all recovery control points will be erased from the hard disk.

Attention: it is not recommended to perform this action for those who often resort to the rollback functionality. But nothing prevents you from reducing the redundant volumes to 3-6% of the total capacity of the system partition. In this case, there will remain copies of the control points that were last saved.

"Zalizhi" of virtual memory: is the size of the swap file justified?

So, now you know what to do first, when in the conductor the graphic sensor of occupied space indicates that the C drive is full. However, in order to achieve the maximum possible release of the system space, one should resort to another method - to move the swap file directory to another location, or to reduce the size of the reserved area of the hard drive.

• Open the Control Panel menu.
• Go to the "System" section.
• In the left part of the window activate the item "Additional ...".
• In the "Performance" block, click the "Options" button.
• Click the Advanced tab.
• Click on the "Change" button.
• Select the system disk and uncheck the "Automatically select ..." check-box.
• Activate the "Specify size" option.
• Based on the actual amount of physical memory, specify a value equal to the capacitive RAM parameters.
• Confirm the change with the "Set" button and restart the computer.

If you transfer virtual memory to another hard disk partition, you must first activate the "No paging file" option. Then you need to select a new directory and repeat the above process. Well, it's time to move on to the next step in solving the problem of "Disk C is full." What should I do next?

Cleaning the system log and not only: program "helpers"

When installing various software, as well as in the process of using it, Windows OS permanently saves the settings and settings of the changes made, in this connection the volumes of registry data grow. However, not all entries in the system log can be considered necessary. So, in the case of executing the process of removing a program, some (and often the value is expressed in significant megabytes) system information about the uninstalled object continues to occupy the user's much needed place, so to speak, in vain. Unfortunately, if you need to fix an unfavorable situation like "full disk C", Windows 7 (like any other macrosoft version of the OS) is powerless, since it does not have a standard registry cleaner. Therefore, it is necessary to enlist the support of a specialized program.

CCleaner - free, but effective

• Download and install this application on your PC.
• Open the section "Register" that interests us.
• Click the "Find problems" button.
• After a short scan, activate the "Fix" key.

You can be congratulated - a practical answer to the question of whether the C drive is full: what to do is received. However, not completely in full. Therefore, dear readers, we follow further.

Hidden threats: what fills up disk space

By itself, the process of detecting new malicious code for an experienced IT specialist is an incredibly time-consuming task. The ordinary user still has one thing - to lose guessing, what kind of virus fills the C drive? Agree, somewhat difficult situation? Nevertheless, the problem can be solved with the help of one or several special anti-virus utilities that can detect and destroy this kind of "digital infection".

Well, open your browser and download these applications: AVZ, Dr.Web CureIt !, HitmanPro, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) and Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2015. All of them are good in their own way, and each of them has its drawbacks , Which is understandable. After all, as is known, in the world there is nothing ideal. Therefore, to achieve the maximum effect of thorough cleaning and in order to get an effective result, use two or three utilities in sequence. By the way, all the above anti-virus tools are equipped with an intelligently understandable interface, and even if you are new to the computer field, you will be able to cope with debugging and launching the scanning functionality. Remember that inactive assumptions like: "Why is disk C full?" - a waste of time. Try, try, and you will succeed!

Finally

So, now you know where to look for the missing gigabytes of disk space. Nevertheless, do not abuse some of the described cleaning methods. Especially when it comes to a swap file or an intensively used registry repair service. Only a reasonable approach and justified actions when performing the optimization process can guarantee you stability in the operation of your OS. Now you have the necessary knowledge and clearly imagine how to react to the difficult situation, if the disk is full. How to clean it of accumulated "digital garbage" and how to neutralize the virus threat, you should already understand. However, do not stop there. Improve your knowledge and expand your computer horizons. All the best to you, use your hard drive effectively!