Where has the Hard Disk space gone

[ayabrea38]

When I look at the ammount of hard disk space used,it is(for example only,hubbys computer I dont know exact numbers)80 out of 100 mb used.When the programe properties are looked at,they only add up to 60mb.Where are all the hidden mb's?
I say they are used up with downloads and updates,hubby does not.
There are no 'hidden' files,to our knowledge.
I inderstand windows uses so much for the operating system but the figure of missing megabytes keeps going up and up and is driving me mad!
Please,can someone help,I am new to computers and learning(Hubby is old and stubborn lol)
Thanks

[ayabrea38]

p.s sorry,forgot to mention,running windows 7

[MarkRae]

http://www.google.co....Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

[Mustardmit]

If it's going up and up over time either a) you need to clear out your cache
(history/temp internet files/cookies) or you may have a trojan.
It wont hurt to a) clear out your cache and b) run your ant-virus/malware software
(after making sure it's up to date).

[shiznit]

De Frag your harddrive, this will free up a lot of space

[ayabrea38]

Thanks for your answer,but could you repeat that in English?!!! ie how do I clear cache(whatever the heck that is) what is a trojan and how do I get rid?
I do understand the malware bit,and do have norton internet security 2010.
sorry to sound dim but I am a mere woman in a very strange world.

[MarkRae]

> how do I clear cache(whatever the heck that is)

By following the instructions in the link I gave you...


> have norton internet security 2010

Ah. That's almost certainly the reason your computer is running so slowly. Norton products used to be superb around 15 years ago, but now that are total garbage. Get rid of it, and install this:

http://free.avg.com/gb-en/homepage

[Mustardmit]

That's no excuse ;-)
Ok:
1) Start>Settings>Control Panel>Internet Options>Browsing History (delete/delete)
2) A trojan is a sort of 'virus' that can get into your computer and get bigger, if you
click on Norton and get it to run a full scan, that should take care of it.

[Mustardmit]

Agree with Mark - Norton: yeuch. I use AVG free - it just does its job (what your
Norton thingy would do) quietly in the background and doesnt sludge everything up.

[ayabrea38]

Ok,On your head be it!
To be honest I didnt think Norton was worth the money,so I was looking for an excuse to bin it.I will try your very helpful answers tomorrow,today rather,and hopefult suprise hubby.
One thing though,In basic terms,is clearing your cache kind of like taking the rubbish out?-junk that you never knew you had and should get rid of cos it does you no good sort of thing?
Thanks for your patience all(MarkRae special thanks)Aya

[Mustardmit]

Exactly that Aya, everytime you go 'surfing' or even just going to Facebook or
AB or Youtube (or whatever), it gradually fills up.
Pass the message onto any friends that are about to buy a new computer
about Norton - so they can 'opt out' and save themselves a few quid.

[Mustardmit]

...oh and don't be tempted to download some automatic 'cache cleaning' program
to try and get out of doing it yourself ! - those are often dodgy.

[ayabrea38]

Thank you so much.
How am I supposed to stop surfing when you lot are so helpful!
Snooze well
Aya

[wildwood]

Your recyclebin will usually allocated 10% of the diskspace so try rightclicking the recycle bin and emptying that. You also need to remember that a Hard drive disk initially needs to be formatted - to create an electronic filing cabinet, as it were - which takes a fair amount of disk space.

[VHG]

>There are no 'hidden' files,to our knowledge.

How do you know, Windows creates loads of hidden files. And if they are hidden how do you know if they are there or not. :-)

There are loads of things that Windows does to create "extra" files that take up space.

For example if Windows takes a system restore that takes up space. If you have a lot of system restores that can take up a lot of space.

The largest "user" type files are video files. If you or your husband are downloading video files or films they will take up a LOT of space.

[VHG]

>Get rid of it, and install this:

So you are suggesting someone gets rid of a full interent security package and replaces it with just an anti virus package.

NOT good advice as far as I am concerned.

Security is more than just anti virus.

[Davethedog]

AVG is more than anti-virus. Its the full package.

I have a hand built computer and they installed AVG told me that Norton was the worst thing you could put on your PC. Not had any problems at all.

[MarkRae]

> So you are suggesting someone gets rid of a full interent security package and
> replaces it with just an anti virus package.

Obviously not - that would be ridiculous.


> NOT good advice as far as I am concerned.

Educate yourself: http://free.avg.com/gb-en/homepage

[MarkRae]

> told me that Norton was the worst thing you could put on your PC

One of the worst, certainly...

The problem for the OP, and anyone else using this garbage, is that it is (almost) impossible to uninstall it completely due to the way it inveigles its way into the operating system using undocumented calls. Regrettably, the only sure way of removing it is to trash and rebuild...

[another-view]

If he only has 100mb of disk capacity, I would suggest he buys a larger disk drive.

[ayabrea38]

That was only an example.250 Is the proper figure I have been informed.
When I say hidden files,I mean it in the most basic sence,as in one click and there are no files hidden from view.I know pcs are sneakly little bugs when it comes to hiding things.
As we dont download vids or pictures much thats why alarm bells where ringing.
De frag,
cache clear.-DIY not some program
bin norton
That cover my to do list?