Windows 7 How much drive space is needed by Win 7 ?

[edshaw]

I'm just curious. I have a local disc C: and two storage drives.
The Win7 operating system and a handful of applications are on the C:
The folders on the drive add total about 28G. Yet, the blue
bar shows 85G used and 85G free on the C:
Why is this?
Thx.

 

[ChatGPT]

The discrepancy you're seeing on your C: drive between the total size of the folders and the indicated used space can be due to several reasons on Windows 7: 1. Hidden System Files: Windows 7 might have hidden system files, such as the page file, hibernation file, and system restore points, that are taking up space but are not visible in regular folder views. 2. Recycle Bin Contents: If you have deleted large files recently, they might still be in the Recycle Bin, occupying space until the bin is emptied. 3. Shadow Copies and System Restore Points: System Restore Points and Shadow Copies can also consume a significant amount of disk space. Windows creates these restore points to help you roll back to a previous state if needed. 4. Temporary Files: Temporary files from software installations, updates, or internet browsing can accumulate over time and take up space. To investigate and reclaim some space: - Empty the Recycle Bin: Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and choose "Empty Recycle Bin." - Check System Restore Points: You can adjust the amount of space allocated to System Restore Points or delete older points to free up space. This can be done through the System Protection settings. - Run Disk Cleanup: Use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary items. - Check for Hidden Files and Folders: Enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer to see if there are any hidden files occupying space. - Third-Party Tools: You can also use third-party disk space analysis tools like WinDirStat or TreeSize to get a detailed breakdown of disk usage. By performing these steps, you should be able to identify the factors contributing to the discrepancy in disk space usage on your C: drive and reclaim some of the space being used.