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Where are the files hiding?
I'm planning to make some major backups of my WinXP Home system. I started
by trying to get an idea of the space required. Here's what I learned, using the Windows Explorer and the Properties command on the various folders (all in GB, and displaying hidden and system files): C: (entire drive) 87 Program files 6 Windows 6 Data files 9 Docs & Settings 2 All other C: folders 5 Subtotal of above 28 So the apparent space occupied by all Windows Explorer displayed folders are approximately 60GB below the total reported for the C: drive. For backup space planning purposes, which is correct? And why the huge discrepancy? -- PT |
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#2
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Where are the files hiding?
On Jun 13, 10:02 pm, "PT" wrote:
I'm planning to make some major backups of my WinXP Home system. I started by trying to get an idea of the space required. Here's what I learned, using the Windows Explorer and the Properties command on the various folders (all in GB, and displaying hidden and system files): C: (entire drive) 87 Program files 6 Windows 6 Data files 9 Docs & Settings 2 All other C: folders 5 Subtotal of above 28 So the apparent space occupied by all Windows Explorer displayed folders are approximately 60GB below the total reported for the C: drive. For backup space planning purposes, which is correct? And why the huge discrepancy? -- PT Hello PT, Suggest you download this freeware that will give you a more accurate representation of where you drive space is being used. There are hidden files and folders (e.g. System Restore, pagefile) that you probably aren't seeing: TreeSize http://www.jam-software.com/freeware/index.shtml |
#3
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Where are the files hiding?
On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:02:31 -0700, PT wrote:
I'm planning to make some major backups of my WinXP Home system. I started by trying to get an idea of the space required. Here's what I learned, using the Windows Explorer and the Properties command on the various folders (all in GB, and displaying hidden and system files): C: (entire drive) 87 Program files 6 Windows 6 Data files 9 Docs & Settings 2 All other C: folders 5 Subtotal of above 28 So the apparent space occupied by all Windows Explorer displayed folders are approximately 60GB below the total reported for the C: drive. For backup space planning purposes, which is correct? And why the huge discrepancy? Besides the hidden and system files that you may not be seeing, each file may require more space than its size. The hard drive is organized into small "pockets" (clusters) that are all the same size. Files are divided up into however many clusters are needed to accommodate them. There may be leftover space (slack space) when all is said and done. Individual cluster size depends on a variety of factors: type of file system (NTFS, FAT32, etc), size of partition are two determining criteria. Hard drive real estate lost to slack space is not a huge concern these days but it is one of the reasons why adding the numbers you see in Properties for a handful of objects doesn't always jive with what other tools report. For backup purposes: Total disk size, minus free space = the "size" of the files and folders to be backed up. You can reduce that final number by doing some housekeeping before creating the backup: clearing the content of Temporary Internet Files folder, clearing the various Temp folders, deleting all but the recent System Restore point for starters. Backup programs: Some will "compress" the backup file. Some allow you to choose the amount of compression that will be used. Check the help file of your backup program to see if it compresses backup or not. Also read carefully sections about recommended levels of compression (overly compressing is usually not a good thing to do). Also in your plan, decide if you want to keep one, two or more sets of backup. I urge to keep multiples and of multiple types- if one set is "bad" you have others to fall back on. Also, if trying to troubleshoot a problem, the most recent backup may suffer the same troubles and an older backup is needed to get back to when things were "okay." Another reason for multiples: If your backup media/hardware is damaged or lost (an external hard drive dies, for example), you still have a backup set on DVD or another external somewhere else. -- Sharon F MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User |
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