hard disk memory disappearing

[beowulf11]

my C disk shows to contain data of around 60gb in the Windows folder, which is eating up my HDD memory.
i tried to trace the file(s) with absolutely no success.

what can i do?

i am desperate!

[2x3i5x]

have you made sure you have the folder settings set up so that all files (including previously hidden files) are displayed so you can see them?

[beowulf11]

thx for replying!

i did that and still nothing big shows!

[patio]

With updates and restore points included this is not unusual....
Look for other spots to save/backup your data and free up some space...
What's the capacity of the HDD ? ?

[beowulf11]

thx

80gb, and now only 1500mb is available.
it is very peculiar because i cannot locate the (seemingly) large file that creates all this problem.

i have gone into all directories in the windows folder,, and although the volume in the windows folder is shown to be 58gb, when i go into the individual subfolders i cannot locate anything large.

the number of total files is 22180 so it cannot be that a very large number of small files exist making this huge 60gb rogue volume.

i am at a loss

[patio]

Stop looking at Windows folders as the culprit...
Check movies; pics; and installed/uninstalled apps to free up some space....
I'm suprised that machine even boots properly.

[beowulf11]

have just checked for movies/pix
no movies to speak of, several pix, sevaral music pieces (audio), total not more than 1.5gb

how could i check for programs/appls as you suggest?

again thx!

[beowulf11]

i think i have found something!

in windows/installer folder there are 54gb of data

a very large number of files with the same length 117.166 kb, and 95.104 kb exist, all with the same date (either 27/7/07 or 8/8/05)

the files are all .msp

how would i know which i could delete, if any, without damaging my computer?

again thx so much!

[2x3i5x]

use the windows disk cleaner (that comes with windows already )to clean it out. Or try ccleaner to clean out your computer.

[Quantos]

I have to agree with 2x3i5x, *.msp files of that size are probably patch installers.

I would also take a look at the System Restore settings.  MS has an article that may apply to you for that.

[2x3i5x]

.msp files can be one of the two things....

1. Windows Installer Patch file type, which are the most common

2. Microsoft paint file type ... Monochromatic (black and white) image file created by Microsoft Paint, one of the first painting programs released by Microsoft; also used for storing older clip art images.

Seeing as it is in the windows / installer folder, it would most likely be under the windows installer patch file type