Lost disk space after aborted defrag

[sammyc]

As per title, free disk space down from 11.8gb to 4.45 after aborting disk defrag - I'm sure this should be simple to sort but my net searches so far all suggest it's caused by temp files or similar that should show in disk cleanup, but not in my case - any help much appreciated.

[peterb]

They may be hidden files. Defrag needs to park the various file fragments somewhere while it s sorting things out. Normally they would be deleted at the end of the process.

[watercooled]

The answer in this thread might help: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...c8b8539?auth=1

In some cases, running chkdsk /f on the affected filesystem can free up space.

[sammyc]

I read something about shadow files "If you want to free up some disk space, delete the shadow copies by using the vssadmin command in a Command Prompt window. You will be unable to restore your data if you delete the shadow copies."

http://www.ehow.com/how_5880891_dele...ies-vista.html

I have windows 7, that was just a sample article I read.

If it is a while-in-process thing as peterb says, and as what I've read suggests, I did wonder if running defrag & letting it complete would resolve things but I now have under the required capacity to do so.

Alternatively I could run through the steps in your article if it is not as drastic as it sounded. Does it just mean I can't restore back to a certain point, ie the same as deleting restore points (I know it's not the same thing, but 'the same' as in the practical effect). I did also notice I don't have a system restore point more recent than a few weeks ago, which I wasn't aware of & don't know the reason for.
I have chkdsk'd already, no benefit.

Thanks.

[watercooled]

In theory, deleting the shadow copies should leave the original data intact. Did you use Windows defrag or a third party one?

[sammyc]

Windows (don't know how far it got through the process).

[watercooled]

In Disk Cleanup, did you click 'clean up system files', then click the 'more options' tab, then 'clean up' under the shadow copies section? Because shadow copies won't show up as an entry under the first tab.

Alternatively, do you have an external hard drive to hand? You could copy move some large files to that, then allow a defrag to complete, then copy them back. But if your HDD is so full a defrag can't complete it's likely very heavily fragmented anyway - especially for system drives it's best to avoid filling them close to capacity where possible.

[sammyc]

In Disk Cleanup, did you click 'clean up system files', then click the 'more options' tab, then 'clean up' under the shadow copies section? Because shadow copies won't show up as an entry under the first tab.

I didn't, but I have now result, 16gb total free space.

Thanks a lot; finding advice elsewhere on the net is all well & good if it's something idiotproof, but it's always nice to run it past someone here in case there are pitfalls for those like me who aren't the full tech shilling.

I had moved some files off already, as I do know defrag needs elbow room, so yes the drive is really too full - kinda boxed myself into a corner with a too-small drive to begin with - but it's a secondary laptop so sorting it isn't an emergency.

Will run defrag to completion & if all's well will mark resolved Cheers

edit: 11 passes later & we're done.

[watercooled]

Great, glad you got it sorted.