Win 7 install too big

I installed Win7 64 bit (and motherboard/video drivers).  My C: directory is around 40 gigs full. Huh??
The odd part of this is, that if I check the size of each folder individually under C: and add them up , I get a total of around 14 gigs? 

I have 'show hidden files' checked, the recycle bin is empty and I deleted all restore points.

I had first installed Win7 32 bit but decided to go 64. 
So, when Installing Win7 64 bit, I deleted all partitions (using the Win7 64 setup) and started on what I figured would be a clean drive.

I'm thinking there are remnants of the first 32 bit install hidden somewhere or something.

How can I get a clean install of Win7 64 ?? 

I've got an identical un-opened drive I guess I could use. But would I be just creating different headaches as I try to use the first drive as my audio drive after erasing and reformatting in Windows? Will it be clean?

I guess it's never easy.

Thanks for any input.

Hi Tim,

A clean install of Win 7 Pro x64 is approx. 10GBs. Add to that the swap file (pagefile.sys, which resides on the root drive) and the hibernate file (hiberfil.sys, which also resides on the root drive). The swap file in it's default state is dynamic but will cost you at least 2 GBs if not more. The hibernate file will be the same size as the total memory you have installed on your system.

For example, on a system carrying 16 GBs of memory, I can expect an installation size of approx. 30 GBs. This is normal. And it's not a terminal condition. Meaning, you can move the swap file to another drive (strongly recommended) and do away with the hibernation feature. Or you could do away with the swap file altogether (strongly debatable). The end result being, that you can easily regain more than half of the disk space used on a new install.

And that would be important to take care of as soon as you've done your clean install on your brand spanking new 60 GBs SSD drive.

Just let me know if you need more info. on how to proceed with this.

"jcschild"
NEVER move your swap file.. and definately do not not have one.

Wut?? (I saw this one coming... )

"timidi"
So, when Installing Win7 64 bit, I deleted all partitions (using the Win7 64 setup) and started on what I figured would be a clean drive.

That's correct. Whether formatting before hand or while launching the installation process, the results are the same. A clean install on a newly formatted drive.

"jcschild"
whats the point of an SSD if you move your files sheesh...

Are you pulling my leg Scott?? 

Why does everybody (slight exaggeration) think that I'm going to be mad, when all we're doing is talking about stuff?? I don't sell hardware, nor software... I don't build systems and I don't have an agenda.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!! There, I feel better.

Tim, glad you're putting the final touches on your purchases and I do agree with your return of the Vertex 2. A Vertex 3 would of been cool , but a fast mechanical drive will do. Don't expect to feel the wind in your hair though. 

You're welcome and stay tuned for Part Deux on the swap file debate...

jc

dang it i just knew you would be MAD

and yes dead serious on the swapfile thing... and having mulitples are pointless anymore thats left over from 98 days
same with not having one and thats dangerous..
better of today with win7 and 16gig ram than 98 and 1 gig however

moving your swap file from the SSD to another drive is rather defeating the point of having an SSD.

"jcschild"
and yes dead serious on the swapfile thing... and having mulitples are pointless anymore thats left over from 98 days

Who's talking about multiples and Win98? Heck, I can remember moving the swap file away from the OS drive since Windows 3.1, which gives you a hint as to how old I am.

Unless you absolutely need a crash dump, which a minimal and static few MBs can take care of on the OS drive, it is common knowledge and desirable to move the swap file away from the OS drive. If this is still the case for Win 7, I can't say after only 2 months of living with it. But the goal was/is to reduce as much as possible write operations to the SSD drive. The benefits are self-explanatory.

Your turn...