Have 3 local disks (C,D,E)

E is almost full. Why? I never save anything in the media sector. Looks like this under E:

ACER-PC

Windows Image Backup

Media ID

Recycle bin is empty. What is filling up my E local disk ?

Thanks & cheers.

How many system images are in "Windows Image Backup"?

Guess you have three partitions or really three separate drives?

Windows boots from C: as usual?

How big is E: and how much used and free space does the "My Compter" view show for E:?

Now use Windows Explorer and check the usage (size) of the three directories.

If there is a big difference after doing the math, it must either be hidden or system files that you don't see (by default) with Windows Explorer.

Do you know how to make these files visible?

Or this method to see hidden files:

open "cmd" prompt (<WIN>cmd<ENTER>)

Enter "E:".

Enter "dir /s /A:H"

Check the last two lines of the output.

Unlikely: a major fault of the partition,

Check with Windows Explorer.

How many system images are in "Windows Image Backup"?

The obvious first

If you run such image backups regularly (knowingly or not) the question will easily be answered.

I am not into the details of that.

Which Windows version do you use?

That E partition is probably Acer's factory restore partition and, as such, is designed to be nearly full as you aren't supposed to use it for anything (apart from restoring from obviously).

How many system images are in "Windows Image Backup"?

The obvious first

If you run such image backups regularly (knowingly or not) the question will easily be answered.

I am not into the details of that.

Which Windows version do you use?

I use Windows 7. I don't use Explorer.only Mozilla Firefox.

Swissie,

What they're saying is that your Windows Operating System is automatically using all free space on this E:Drive to create ongoing (rotating) BACKUPS to "Windows Image Backup".

Using this free space is normal.

What size is your drive E: ? (I'm guessing not huge, maybe 50-80GB?)

Open Windows Explorer (the file/folder icon, not the browser)

In the Left Pane find COMPUTER and your drives listed underneath

Right-Click the (E:) drive and select Properties (very bottom of list)

a dialog box should appear listing the drives attributes

You can turn Windows Backup OFF if you wish, but should do so only if you have an alternative full backup system in place and want to recover the space it uses.

If I am allowed a preference, it's to only allow System Restore to do its thing automatically (rotating backup for system changes) and use another application to do OFFLINE FULL/Incremental/FULL/Incremental backups to an external drive on a regular basis as I, like Captain Kirk, don't like playing the possible no-win scenario (with Windows Image Backup).

But Windows Image Backup isn't a bad thing for a fully automatic unattended backup system, so long as your willing to let it take over an entire drive space ...oh, and you remember it's there when you want to try to do a restore.

Windows.Microsoft.com Back up your programs, system settings, and files

Having your Windows Image Backup on your main multi-partition hard drive doesn't do a fellow much good when the hard drive fails because when it fails a high probably exists none of the partitions will be accessible to include the partition with the image backup. Best to keep the image on an external drive.

Have total space 183 GB. Remaining space 5.05 GB

Thanks for all the help guys, but I know when I start "fiddling around" with my PC, I will likely screw up everything. Will have the local computer guy take a look at it.

But still: What will happen, if the remaining 5.05 GB will be used up? Will the apparatus explode in my face and I will end up in hospital with 2nd degree burns ?

Cheers.

Sure not. Likely just some quirky red flagged "can not". "error 0x12345678", "whine whine whine" message from this Windows imaging tool or so.

"Likely": the description/analysis has not gone deep, but with the usual Windows installation it will not stop the PC.

See your expert.

To gather more info, these should be SAFE to look at:

Control Panel / Backup and Restore ... then look for link "Manage Space" next to the E:

Have total space 183 GB. Remaining space 5.05 GB

Thanks for all the help guys, but I know when I start "fiddling around" with my PC, I will likely screw up everything. Will have the local computer guy take a look at it.

But still: What will happen, if the remaining 5.05 GB will be used up? Will the apparatus explode in my face and I will end up in hospital with 2nd degree burns ?

Cheers.

No explosion...the hard drive just oozes overflow data that turns green when hitting air...it can make a mess in your computer....kinda like how an old, corroded battery swells up and oozes that green stuff.

To gather more info, these should be SAFE to look at:

Control Panel / Backup and Restore ... then look for link "Manage Space" next to the E:

With these fool-proof instructions, even I was able to resolve the problem. Thanks & cheers.