After Installing Windows Vista...

from WinCustomize Forums
...my hard disc space decreased dramatically. Where did it all go and how do I get it back? Thanks in advance.
3,159 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
what are your system specs?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
disk cleanup, virus scan, registry defragmenter and checker, defragment, compress to save disk space (if this is avalible in VISTA)
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You have to more specific.  How much space exactly becuase Vista isn't a small install?


Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Ultimate
Version 6.0.6000 Build 6000
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name DH99YS61
System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
System Model Dimension 3000
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.40GHz, 2393 Mhz, 1 Core(s), 1 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A02, 11/8/2004
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.0.6000.16386"
User Name DH99YS61\Greg Lee
Time Zone Central Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 1,021.44 MB
Available Physical Memory 337.36 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.45 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.53 GB
Page File Space 1.50 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Vista, on my system, has a Windows folder which is 10.5Gb, a page file of 2.5Gb and a hibernation file of 2Gb - that's 15Gb down the drain.

I have 1.5Tb of hard drives, so it's not such a big deal for me. If you only have a very small drive, say 80Gb, then you are going to notice a dramatic drop in free space.

It's called progress   

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you upgraded from a previous version of Windows, run Disk Cleanup and that should allow you to get rid of backup files from the upgrade installation. That should free some space.

But Vista takes up more space in general. Not a huge issue considering the cheapness of storage these days.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you upgraded from XP it puts a folder in your HD called Old Windows. Mine was about 7GB. As everyone said run disk cleanup then defrag.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
get rid of windows.old, disk cleanup, compress c:, defrag...I've been pushing and shoving until mine's just over 5GB. don't need the space, just like to see how far I can push it 'til it breaks.
also, bunches of gpedit / regedit tweaks and disabling that annoying UAC makes the experience much better...those constant popups were getting old quick!