Windows folder is growing in size the last few days, unsure why exactly

CK011885 · Mar 28, 2015

I have a 74GB SSD with Windows 8.1 on it, a couple games, and basic software like Microsoft Office, and a 500GB HDD that I store pretty much everything else on. I'm reasonably sure it has something to do with streaming, I just started streaming a couple days ago and that's when I noticed the space starting to disappear. I looked the other day and saw I had 5GB left, then after a stream last night I had 2GB left. I looked at the Windows folder the other day and it was about 24 GB in size, and now it's up to 27 GB.

So I use OBS and have it record my streams locally, but to my D: drive. I see the files appearing in there so I don't think that's the problem. I have a suspicion it might be related to Windows Movie Maker which I installed recently to make a highlight video for Youtube. So I know these basic facts, but I don't know what files it's creating to take up the space and how to remedy it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: While attempting to Google the issue, I saw people talking about the WinSxS folder, mine is 10.2 GB which I believe is normal, just thought I'd throw that in there.

bubbleawsome · Mar 29, 2015

I might use windirstat to see what is taking up hte space.

FordGT90Concept · Mar 29, 2015

Updates could have done it. Fully updated Windows 8.1 weighs in at over 30 GB (including registry, file system, default programs, etc). You can look at installed programs to check the dates as well as the update history in Windows Update. They should give you an idea of what happened the last few days.

WinSxS = Windows Side-by-Side which is effectively a repository of executables and DLLs to fall back on. Every time Windows updates, that directory gets bigger.

newtekie1 · Mar 29, 2015

It's also likely the C:\Windows\Installer folder. That is where windows keeps all the installer files for the updates it downloads so if you ever want to uninstall an update it has the installer/uninstaller for the update. AFAIK, you can safely move the contents of that folder to your D: drive, if you ever have to uninstall and update you can move the contents back.

CK011885 · Mar 29, 2015

newtekie1 said:
It's also likely the C:\Windows\Installer folder. That is where windows keeps all the installer files for the updates it downloads so if you ever want to uninstall an update it has the installer/uninstaller for the update. AFAIK, you can safely move the contents of that folder to your D: drive, if you ever have to uninstall and update you can move the contents back.

The Installer folder is 5 GB, so I'm guessing that was it. Can I straight up delete the contents or is it really recommended to store them on my D drive?

R-T-B · Mar 29, 2015

CK011885 said:
The Installer folder is 5 GB, so I'm guessing that was it. Can I straight up delete the contents or is it really recommended to store them on my D drive?

If you are confident you will never have to uninstall an update, you may be able to get by without it. But sometimes other updates call older update installers. I had this happen at least once on XP when I was space cramped on an early SSD. I'd leave it personally.

SK-1 · Mar 29, 2015

Did you over fertilize? oh....wait...wrong forum.

Caring1 · Mar 29, 2015

Possibly your Temp files due to the streaming.
Wont hurt to empty them.

ThE_MaD_ShOt · Mar 29, 2015

Also you can delete all but your latest restore point using disk cleanup and see if that helps.

Toothless · Mar 29, 2015

Obviously more Windows makes for a better Windows.

Clean your temp folder and check your %appdata% folder for junk.

CK011885 · Mar 29, 2015

Toothless said:
Obviously more Windows makes for a better Windows.

Clean your temp folder and check your %appdata% folder for junk.

My AppData folder is 2GB. Is that normal or junk in there? There's about 20+ folders in there, what can/should be removed?

bubbleawsome · Mar 29, 2015

2GB sounds about right. Mine is over 50GB.

CK011885 · Mar 29, 2015

Okay so I didn't stream or download/install any updates today. This afternoon I looked and I had 3GB free. I just finished playing a game (LoL if it matters), I look at my space left and I have 300 MB. I check the Windows folder and it's up to 30GB from 27 now. The Installer folder is still at 5GB which it was earlier, that hasn't changed. WinSxS is still 10.7GB. I don't know what's going on, please help!

Edit: There is a 3GB folder called SoftwareDistribution that I'm not 100% sure I remember seeing before. Is this it, what is it and can I remove any of this?

Jetster · Mar 29, 2015

Take your games off until you get it resolved. Your just going to damage system. Without space it can't to garbage cleanup.

So I'm just guessing that you have disabled system restore? And reduced your page file to 200Mb? Disabled hibernation?

If you are going to run a small SSD just leave the games off it. You should always do the security updates!!!

Naito · Mar 29, 2015

Processor	i5-6600k (4.2 GHz)
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Processor	Intel Core i7 10850K@5.2GHz
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Cooling	Corsair H115i Pro w/ Noctua NF-A14 Fans
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Audio Device(s)	Onboard is good enough for me
Power Supply	eVGA SuperNOVA 1000w G3
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Processor	i5-6600k (4.2 GHz)
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Power Supply	Corsair 700W
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Windows folder is growing in size the last few days, unsure why exactly

CK011885

bubbleawsome

FordGT90Concept

"I go fast!1!11!1!"

newtekie1

Semi-Retired Folder

CK011885

R-T-B

SK-1

Caring1

ThE_MaD_ShOt

Toothless

Tech, Games, and TPU!

CK011885

bubbleawsome

CK011885

Jetster

Naito

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