How can I make Windows 7 as small as possible? (freeing up diskspace)

I have a 40GB SSD with Windows 7 on it, fresh installed. Right now 17GB is used.

How can I make Windows 7 as small as possible, without using Vlite methods?

In other words I'd like to free up as much diskspace as possible.
-I've already looked in Control Panel, Windows features and turned a few off.
-I've looked for unnecessary programs but there aren't any.

Are there any good guides on this subject?

Edit: this looks promising:
10-illustrative-guides-to-increase-disk-space-in-windows-7-vista.html
6 Ways To Free Disk Space In Windows 7
Reclaim Lost Disk Space in Windows 7

 

Turn hibernation and restore points off.

 

page-file?

 

What are the downsides? I do have 4GB memory.

 

Phil I wouldn't turn off the W7 pagefile. Windows Vista and 7 have a real solid memory management system. Also Vista and 7 will try and use as much memory as you have then it's off to the pagefile.

edit: as others have mentioned delete the hibernation file via command prompt: powercfg -h off. You'll get back 4GB right there then delete all of your restore points.

On average W7 takes up 9GB (32bit) w.o hibernation file and 12GB w/o hibernation file (64bit)

 

You could always defrag your hard drive to free up some space, also speed up your system.

 

Phil.....

Pagefile will get you 4-5gb back and hibernate will get you another 3 plus. More is realized when restore is shut off. If it is a clean install or u are aware of your ram use, dont be afraid to shut down pagefile. You will get ALOT of different views but the truth is 4Gb is plenty of ram 99% of the time.

The main argument you will find is that with it shut down you wiull not have a boot log should it crash which is moot as it just doesnt crash.

I have had pagefile shut off since Vista and 64Bit first came out 3 years ago and I have yet to have a problem with my RAM...

Windows 7 adds to that with amazing memory management. You can shut down pagefile and easily get 50 or so programs running without coming close to your limit.

Dont defrag the ssd...useless activity.

Oh and...no downsides except the very vocal pro-pagefile right wingers. I always invite those to try it themselves and few have gone back...actually I dont know any...

 

This is what I was talking about^^

Pagefile is one of the largest OS files you can manage, and with an SSD, it's generally better for disk wear to cut out the constant paging.

 

That will not free up any space at all. It only reorganizes the empty space you already have.

Gary

 

Thanks for the tips guys. I've turned off hibernation, system restore and page file now. If anything goes wrong I'll need to do a clean install, which is a good thing anyway imo.


So no defragging necessary. Is there any point in using Diskkeeper's PerfectDisk? I read someone talking about it in the SSD thread. It's basically a defragger but it can do some more things.

 

No defrag
I dont think you need indexing either. (correct if wrong)

 

Thanks but I know about defrag, PerfectDisk has some other options that I'm interested in.

 

Nope your fine and close...I got to 8.5Gb for Win7 Ult 64bit...

 

Hehe my bad didn't see the SSD there

 

Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but you can use a program like vlite to strip Win7 down. There are some other tips here: EeeUser Forum / Windows 7 RTM vLite for SSD

 

I'm somone else. i can't defragment mine. it'll break it.

 

Is there a question here?

Gary

 

Gary oh my #$% you are still alive? eheheh

 

I did not disable pagefile, I just reduced it`s size to 500mb , as i only have 3gb of memory and want to play safe.

 

Hell to the yeah. You bet I am! And how are you my friend?

Gary

 

Still the same working my but off on my own little venture but still popping in here when I can....pretty much anything ssd related. Dont know if you remember Trebuin but he and i were back and forth a few weeks back as well...he is doing good.

 

Perfectdisk (latest version) have some options for SSD optimization

 

unicode fonts take up a lot of space........

 

I have been using these tips for almost 3 years now and have never encountered a problem.

Perform these tricks below, then run a BOOT defrag using PerfectDisk, then remove any unwanted programs from startup and watch your diskpace go down by at least 1.5 GB and your boot up time should improve :worthy:

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1) Restart your computer just to make sure any file we are deleting from temp directories is not in use or will be used once after a reboot.

2) Navigate to C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp

Then delete all the files and folders in there.

3) Navigate to C:\ then delete the folder named MSOCACHE.

If you cannot see this folder, then make sure you have HIDDEN FILES enabled.

This folder is the temp directory for the MS Office installation files, if you have selected to RUN ALL FROM MY computer option next to all the components of MS Office that you installed, then you already have everything installed in the Program Files and will never need this folder....EVER

4) Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Delete everything in that folder.

It is a 100% safe to delete everything in there as this is just the TEMP folder for Windows to download updates.

After you have installed the updates and restarted, you obviously don't want those huge *.cab, *.msi, and *.exe setup files eating up your diskspace.

5) Navigate to C:\Windows\Temp

6) If you dont use System Restore, turn it off and delete all existing restore points.

7)) If you dont use hibernation, disable it. Just type " powercfg -h off" at the command prompt. That'll disable hibernation and delete the large hibernation file hiberfil.sys.
Delete everything in that folder as it only contains temporary files that are not critical nor required.

*****************************************************************

 

delete all the cookies that websites are storing on your computer. even though they make it faster, they use up a lot of disk space.

 

I just did a quick check and 10,000 cookies took up a grand total of 2.4 MB. I'd hardly call that "a lot of disk space".

Gary

 

yah, cookies are usually 128 bytes, rarely over 5 Kb.