Disk Space Problem

[mike]

Just had a problem that I cannot figure out the cause. I backed up my C drive 2 days ago and the backup file was 38gb. I backed up my file today and it was 52gb. I checked the properties option on my c drive and it indicated 52gb used. I went through and checked the properties option on each one of my C drive folders to determine the space it was taking and it totaled 34gb. When I made this check on had my tool view option set to include all hidden files. Can anyone suggest where this additional space utilized may have come from?

[Fresco]

There are several possible causes. The first one that I would check is windows system restore, which can take up a lot of room with its system restore backups. These files are usually "super hidden". In order to see them and the space that they occupy, you need to uncheck another folder option that hides protected system files. To make them visible, go to the "tools -> folder options -> views settings", and you will see that there is another checkbox located 2 spaces below the "show hidden files and folders" option. This one says "Hide protected operating system files (recommended)". If you uncheck that one, you will now be able to see how much space these protected files are taking up. After you are done looking at them, it is a good idea to check the box and hide these files again.

If that doesn't solve the mystery, then you have to consider the possibility of a malware infection that is using space on your disk, and hiding it from you. Unfortunately, this is a very real possibility these days, and these infections are becoming much more difficult to eliminate, often requiring a complete disk reformat, including a repair of the MBR, and a reinstall of windows.

[mike]

When I went to tool, folder options view settings, the "Hide protected operating system files (recommended)" option was already unchecked. In any case where would I see the contents of those files. Are they contained in a folder? Which one? Assuming that this is not the problem and there is some malware occupying that space, since I have backed up the c drive, can I restore it if I reformat the drive, or will the backed up file merely restore the malware as well?

[Fresco]

There are two ways to see how much space is being used by windows system restore. The first, and easiest way, is to go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. Then click on the "System Restore Settings" link on the bottom left side of the program window. Then click on the Settings button on the dialog that appears. There you will see, and be able to adjust, how much space is being used for System Restore.

The second way involves looking at the System Restore Backup directory itself. The system restore backups are stored in a special folder called System Volume Information, located in the root directory of each hard drive on your computer. Because this folder has extra protection built into it, you will need to follow a certain sequence of additional steps that will differ depending on which version of windows you have. This article from microsoft explains exactly how to gain access to it in each version of windows: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309531

After you have checked it, I suggest that you return all of the settings to the way that they were before, and hide that folder again.

If the problem turns out to be malware after all, then restoring the entire c drive will most likely restore the malware too. Restoring only your data files, and not any programs, would reduce the risk, but not eliminate it entirely, because many common data file types on a windows system can be infected with malware too.