Without free bytes

[XPTO]

Good morning.
The C: disk of my PC has 464 GB and is occupied with about 200 GB.
But I can't use the free bytes! It shows 0 bytes free of 464 GB.

Why this? Is it a virus? What must I do?

Thank you.

[Subtitles]

Assuming you are using Windows O/S
Open Disk Management (in search look for): Create and Format hard disk partitions
It will show you the status of your hard disk.
You might need to create a partition and call it D:\ if it shows an unknown part.
Please be very careful how to use it as you might unintentionally format your hard disk.
Watch few YouTube videos to make you feel comfortable how to use it.

[pandy]

I would do two things:
firstly check your disk for errors (and repair them if they exist),
secondly clean disk space (Disk Cleanup) - there can be junk files (temporary, deleted etc) so they are filling space completely.

[abolibibelot]

That's quite a mystery... A screenshot may have helped pinpointing the issue.
If the size of 464GB does indeed correspond to the C: partition, then the hypothetical unallocated space (as suggested by “Subtitles”) is irrelevant. The “disk cleanup” suggestion by “pandy” is also probably irrelevant, if indeed the total size of user files is shown as about 200GB (which normally includes anything that can be cleaned that way, like the recycle bin or "Temp" folders).
Checking the partition for logical errors with CHKDSK (or whatever fancy GUI relying on CHKDSK under-the-hood) could possibly fix the issue but it's quite hazardous to use that “black box” kind of tool without knowing for sure what the matter is. (A botched CHKDSK scan can seriously wreak havoc if there's an issue more severe than what it can actually fix.) Also a “chkdsk /F” scan (the /F switch is required for it to actually attempt to fix any error in the filesystem) can not be performed on the system partition from the Windows O.S. running on that same partition (almost always referred to as C:), it has to be executed before startup. It's possible to run a “chkdsk C:” command (without the /F) while the system is running, although it rarely provides useful clues (it stops as soon as an error is encountered and suggests to run a scan with the /F switch).

Checking the actual usage with a graphical visualization tool might provide useful hints. WizTree is very fast as it directly parses the MFT, instead of checking the whole contents of the partition folder by folder, like WinDirStat for instance.
System files can occupy a lot of space and are not counted as part of the used data when checking a partition's properties, but only the $MFT can grow very large, and it takes millions of files to have a $MFT that's several GB in size (1 MFT record is 1KB, on my main storage partition there are about 3 millions files, which is A LOT, the $MFT is about 3GB). So it's unlikely to be the explanation.
Another thing that's not counted is alternate data streams (I once registered on a forum specifically to reply to a 3 years old unsolved question about a video file appearing as “0 byte” in size even though it was in fact occupying ~4GB – turned out that the file's contents had been recorded as an ADS because of the “:” character). But again, that seems unlikely to account for a 260GB+ discrepancy.

It's unlikely to be a physical malfunction, but still, it's always a good idea to check the SMART status (with something like CrystalDiskInfo or HDTune).

[GAhere]

Depending on the OS version there will be multiple HIDDEN partitions that are designed for the operating system to use, partitions like bootup files, system reserved files and system shadow files all will cut into your overall usable space.

Whatever you do, do not delete those hidden partitions unless you plan to do a full reinstall..

Do not format the hidden partitions or your C: drive.. unless you plan to do a full reinstall..

Otherwise you could have a lot of clutter in temp files and browser cache files taking up all of your usable space..

[abolibibelot]

But like I said, based on OP's description, 1) the total 464GB size corresponds to the C: partition only, and 2) any kind of clutter that is part of regular user files (like temp files, browser cache files, etc.) should be included in the used space, so that could not account for the observed discrepancy. But with no further input not much else can be inferred.

[GAhere]

You CAN'T see the HIDDEN partitions but Windows reports the entire drive size including the hidden partitions, that is part of the issue.

Depending on the view you choose you will not see the hidden partitions but the drive size.

Win10 for example can have by default up to 4 hidden partitions. If Windows was installed from factory like Dell, HP ect there also can be and additional "recovery" partition which is where the factory places the Windows install files witch is customized by the manufacturer for that PC..

To see the entire drive including hidden, you must use Disk Management tool , which is under Administrative tools, then Computer Management.

Then you get the following view..
[Attachment 91426 - Click to enlarge]

Keep in mind, that view is from a Win7 32 bit install I highly customized which does not have the shadow volume activated.. If shadow volume is activated it would take HALF of the free space shown in C partition.

64 bit installs of Win10 will often have shadow volume activated by default basically using HALF of the drive space..

On edit..

Windows by default at install time also HIDES critical system files like exe (IE program executables), page file, dlls, ini, inf, hybernation file, ect. To see them you must uncheck hide system files and "known file types".. But do very carefully as if you delete or move certain files your system may become unbootable.

Windows can and does also create new page files and hybernation files if the old ones get corrupted, the old corrupted files can end up orphaned, burning up valuable space..

There are tools provided by MS which address those issues, use those tools before just manually deleting, moving files..

[ProJiJi]

That is all very properly outlined, GAhere, BUT that size of 260GB (a bit more) - - - that is way too much for all that hidden stuff which you are rightly making your point about.

Well, at least in my limited experience in dealing with such stuff.

I mean, don't you think that 260plusGB is a bit much to be full of all that cute stuff Micro likes to hide? That sort of situation would require a court case that the name "Microsoft" is a cheating name. It would be Macrosoft for honest representation of what the company is doing to its customers.

On the other hand, I agree that the OP sure didn't provide enough information and also seems to have given up and not returned. Maybe went to the Debian Family.

[GAhere]

ProJiJi, MS DOESN'T "play games" with your OS, data or drive size, there is no "conspiracy" being committed by MS or anyone else.

I noticed you are rather over the top on the MS conspiracy theme, perhaps you could consider dialing that back and listen to reason..

Yes, MS went overboard on USER data collection on Win10 and Win 11, THAT is really the extent of the transgressions and THAT is very easily stopped with a simple program from O & O software called SHUT UP10/11. That program is a simple exe file that does not need to be installed, it is a "portable" program that allows you to turn off ALL of the nanny and tattle tale data collection and even the "AI" stuff and my favorite, allows me to take control of Windows Updates by giving you the power to fully disable them until YOU want to allow the updates happen.

MS only fault here is the forced updates and forced personal data collection and that my friend is it.. They simply do not connect to your PC and screw with your data, they don't steal info from your data, pictures, music, they are not monitoring every move you make while using the PC, they are not watching your camera or listening to your conversations. They do however reserve the "right" to remove or disable programs when updating the OS version IF the programs are not fully compatible with the newest version and that incompatibility could cause system instability.

Off my soapbox..

There are different ways to look at your drive space and not all the ways will give you the same view or detail. Most folks simply use the simplified view from Explorer, it only reports to you the TOTAL of the PHYSICAL C drive which is a combination of all files/folders that are not hidden and all files/folders that are hidden plus all hidden PARTITIONS.

IF the C PARTITION is truly full and no more available space the simple view in Explorer will have a red bar..

What does happen with drive space though is over time a lot of software can and will make a mess but fail to cleanup after its self leaving orphan files and random junk.

One other concern would be if the PC has been infected by virus/malware some payloads can fill your drive with random junk until your PC no longer boots..

[ProJiJi]

I wonder if you could help me, GAhere? I don't seem to be able to properly use the search tool here. Thank you for your help.


[Attachment 91432 - Click to enlarge]

[ProWo]

Good morning.
The C: disk of my PC has 464 GB and is occupied with about 200 GB.
But I can't use the free bytes! It shows 0 bytes free of 464 GB.

Why this? Is it a virus? What must I do?

Thank you.

You should start your PC with an external system (e.g., WinPE) from a USB or CD drive.
Then you can analyze your C: drive from outside, search for malware (e.g., with Malwarebytes), or repair the file system.

[abolibibelot]

@“GAhere”

There are different ways to look at your drive space and not all the ways will give you the same view or detail. Most folks simply use the simplified view from Explorer, it only reports to you the TOTAL of the PHYSICAL C drive which is a combination of all files/folders that are not hidden and all files/folders that are hidden plus all hidden PARTITIONS.

I suggested WizTree to get a more detailed view. (Another advantage of WizTree over WinDirStat which I haven't mentioned above is that it counts the size of multiple hardlinks of the same file only once, whereas WinDirStat counts every hardlink as a distinct file, and can therefore report a considerably higher total used size than is actually allocated. Both tools properly account for files with the “compressed” or “sparse” attribute.)
And I'm pretty sure that even hidden files (which are not NTFS system files like the $MFT – I'm not talking about files with the “system” attribute) are included in what is reported as the occupied space on a partition. And hidden partitions would not be reported as being part of “the C: disk”.
I don't know much about shadow volumes which you mentioned earlier; that on the other hand could be a possible explanation.
But OP hasn't come back since 2026-01-03, so unless OP does come back to provide further input, it's all pretty much moot. It's an interesting issue though.

[ProJiJi]

I may have written my thoughts in such a manner, GAhere, that I could be misunderstood. My apology for that.

The key point I was trying to make was that even if we take into account all the hidden stuff that might be within a given drive, that 260GB size is just way too big to be able to simply explain it as a whole bunch of hidden this-or-that; or even explained as hidden stuff and garbage stuff.

It was that size that caught my attention here. After the first read I was sort of trying to forget this thread, as the OP had not returned, but this thread kept nagging me.

But noticing the OP has been around this Community for a bit and has done other posts has me thinking we'll eventually see that member return. I hope. Then we can get more detail.

As for the idea of a conspiracy and such with the Big tech folks, no. I think they fell into this trap just like we all did. Nobody saw this coming. Nobody saw the billions of dollars this would generate. Yes, many guessed and placed their bets on the possibility we had some big money-making chances here with the Net, but absolutely knowing; nobody did.

But, as we have seen throughout human history, once there is big money to be had, that greed trouble creeps into the picture and then that greed attains its own frame around the picture and then there is a gallery of the same style pictures and it gets out of control, until some elected official, or dictator, stops it and puts it under some sort of legal control. With the dictator types it's easy. With a supposedly free social order it is much more difficult.

And, GAhere, you sort of contradicted yourself; if Windows 10 was taking Microsoft into the "70-80% control" game, they then become guilty of bad stuff. If I turn on my computer and an advert is the second or third thing displayed after boot up, something is very, very wrong. And if you want to label me a troll for having that attitude, then I view that as a badge of honor.

When I have to log into a Microsoft account just so I can use my Windows software, that is also adding to the "control" thing. And it is not the IRS or the Selective Service folks - the government - doing it --- it is a commercial entity that is also controlling all sorts of other stuff on that same social structure, the Internet.

That is what the Internet has become, a social structure. One that more and more people are becoming reliant upon. And who is controlling it? Not the Internet Citizens.

In the beginning the statements were the Internet was just like the invention of the radio. the telephone, the TV, and so on. Totally wrong! The Internet now has control over a whole bunch that humans are doing in daily life. Even in necessities of daily life. And it keeps on getting to be more and more of that.

And who is leading the way? Those that are also making money from the use of this new social structure. And that creates dangers. Trying to look away from those dangers just makes the situation worse.

Were you around when the debate was had about breaking up AT&T? This situation is way more complicated and the longer we wait to address the dangers, the harder the situation becomes.

Again, if that thinking makes me a troll, I appreciate that badge. And I am now having to walk hunched over, so I am even looking like a troll these days. But I'm still a bit too tall for that troll I see in the 19th Century books.

EDIT: And if I have to download some outside software program to control my own computer from the original software vendor, that is also very bad.