How do I fix this storage issue for a client (WinDirStat pic included)?

[thecomputerguy]

I upgraded the HD in a clients laptop to a Samsung SSD using Samsung Data Migration. He contacted me and told him he was running out of space which I thought odd because I wouldn't have put a 500GB SSD in there if I wasn't positive it would accommodate him. I take a look at his laptop and see that 133.7GB of storage is being used by "Unknown".

I've ran disk cleanup, ccleaner, checked common bloat areas like Apple backups, manually checked storage for common areas like pictures and music for excessive storage. This is WinDirStat run as administrator and then after enabling the option to "Show unknown storage" I was greeted by this giant yellow box of unknown storage.

His actual storage adds up to about 300GB but this unknown storage bumps him up to almost maxing out the disk. Samsung Magician reports that the drive is in good health and is up to date on Firmware.

 

[Porthos]

My "unknown" folder is 4.4 gigs.

 

[Porthos]

????

What is “<Unknown>”? | WinDirStat Blog

blog.windirstat.net

 

[thecomputerguy]

My "unknown" folder is 4.4 gigs.

Yeah mine "unknown" is 7 gigs ... I wish I knew what this meant and how his could have jumped up to 133.7 GBs

 

[HCHTech]

This appears to be an artifact of how Windirstat works, and not a real file. Check the response Here.

@Porthos photo finish to the answer - haha.

 

[thecomputerguy]

????

What is “<Unknown>”? | WinDirStat Blog

blog.windirstat.net

Interesting find...

 

[thecomputerguy]

I have a feeling it's log related ... thanks for not hitting me with the LMGTFY memer

 

[mikeroq]

I use WizTree over WinDirStat. What does WizTree say?

 

[HCHTech]

Actually reading @Porthos ' link, system restore files get categorized here, so that's the most likely culprit, IMO.

 

[timeshifter]

I use SpaceMonger.exe. Been a staple in my toolbox for years. I have an older freeware version that still works. Run as admin.

SpaceMonger - The Portable Freeware Collection

www.portablefreeware.com

 

[sapphirescales]

I use SpaceSniffer and there's no BS "unknown" directory. Maybe you should switch to another program.

 

[HCHTech]

I'll bet they added that "unknown" listing somewhere along the development history because pedants were adding up the used and free spaces and it didn't equal the size of the drive, so they complained - haha. I wouldn't be a programmer for love nor money...