I have an Esquire 4GB USB, I've been using it for the past 2 years or so, transferring files and other information from one pc to my pc and vice versa. The problem I have now is that it has free space of 1.77 GB and used space of 2.21 GB, but everything in the USB amounts to 202 MB. I don't get it, how is it possible for the USB to have a used up space of 2.21 GB? I think that maybe it's because the files I have put in the USB which later I deleted must be still in the USB somehow. My computer shows hidden files so that's not the case. If somehow files are still in there, how can I get rid of them? What software must I use?
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Why does my USB have less space?
- Thread starter Sly21C
- Start date
killadoob
Honorary Master
Take off all your files and format.
G
Guest 20221009
Guest
With Winrar you can browse hidden files on you USB drive... I have dealt with infections that hide folders..
so scan the drive on a machine that is virus/worm... free and then use Winrar to copy the files and then format the thing..
Sounds crazy..but it works for me
so scan the drive on a machine that is virus/worm... free and then use Winrar to copy the files and then format the thing..
Sounds crazy..but it works for me
With Winrar you can browse hidden files on you USB drive... I have dealt with infections that hide folders..
so scan the drive on a machine that is virus/worm... free and then use Winrar to copy the files and then format the thing..
Sounds crazy..but it works for me
I'm not familiar with computers so please bear with me, what do you guys mean by format? So what I have to do exactly is to put my Windows XP disk and run it? And then delete the removable disk?
killadoob
Honorary Master
No go to my computers go into the drive and take off what you want to keep, then go back into my computer right click and select format.
Then select quick format and boo ya.
Then select quick format and boo ya
.wishblade
Senior Member
Um, one other thing (saw this recently) 
Is one of the machines running windows Vista? And was readyboost enabled on the USB drive?
The issue arises that when viewed on any other Windows (7 excluded) then the readyboost cache is not shown. In general, this doesn't amount to much as the used space is not affected, but as I said above, I saw this lst week, where for some reason the used space of the readyboost drive as seen under windows XP home edition showed up the reduced amount of free space.
Is one of the machines running windows Vista? And was readyboost enabled on the USB drive?
The issue arises that when viewed on any other Windows (7 excluded) then the readyboost cache is not shown. In general, this doesn't amount to much as the used space is not affected, but as I said above, I saw this lst week, where for some reason the used space of the readyboost drive as seen under windows XP home edition showed up the reduced amount of free space.
No go to my computers go into the drive and take off what you want to keep, then go back into my computer right click and select format.
Then select quick format and boo ya
Done!!! I now have 3.99GB free space and used up space of 4 KB
Thanks man!!!
I wonder, can this be also done with my C drive? My C drive's Capacity is 74.5 GB, Free Space is 42.2 GB and Used Space reads 32.2 GB. But then when I manualy check all the files inside the C drive it comes up to 27.5 GB 
. What's going on, and is it possible to format the C drive somehow? I know that the windows operation system software program is there so it wouldn't work the same way as the USB.
. What's going on, and is it possible to format the C drive somehow? I know that the windows operation system software program is there so it wouldn't work the same way as the USB.dlk001
Executive Member
I wonder, can this be also done with my C drive? My C drive's Capacity is 74.5 GB, Free Space is 42.2 GB and Used Space reads 32.2 GB. But then when I manualy check all the files inside the C drive it comes up to 27.5 GB
The difference between 32.2GB and 27.5GB might be made up of "Hidden Files" and "Protected Operating System Files". The size of your "Protected Operating System Files" can vary depending on your hardware and Operating System version.
If you using Windows XP, under "Folder Options", unclick "Hide protected operating system files" and check again.
Esquire
Esquire representative
Hi Sly
I agree with the guys on the forum , you need to reformat the flash drive
also I found that when you delete and load new data it tends to retain old data very similar to hard drives where you can do data recovery.
I found this with my ext HDD as well , If you unsure on what to do , take it to any of our branches and get one of the technician to do it for you or PM me and I will point you in the right direction.
What also works very well is a freeware program called Ccleaner which can be found on www.filehippo.com or www.ccleaner.com use this to clean up your hdd and your flash drives as well as your system, you will amazed on how much free space you will get back , and your system will run much faster
ESQ
I agree with the guys on the forum , you need to reformat the flash drive
also I found that when you delete and load new data it tends to retain old data very similar to hard drives where you can do data recovery.
I found this with my ext HDD as well , If you unsure on what to do , take it to any of our branches and get one of the technician to do it for you or PM me and I will point you in the right direction.
What also works very well is a freeware program called Ccleaner which can be found on www.filehippo.com or www.ccleaner.com use this to clean up your hdd and your flash drives as well as your system, you will amazed on how much free space you will get back , and your system will run much faster
ESQ
killadoob
Honorary Master
No dude you cannot format your windows drive inside windows .
Your c:\ drive is nothing like your usb stick.
.Your c:\ drive is nothing like your usb stick.
Last edited:
howardb
Expert Member
Also remember that the recycle bin and system restore also take up space on the drives - I have disabled the recycle bin on all my data storage drives (except C:\ ) to increase the available capacity - same thing with the system restore...
With your c: drive alot off free space is takin up by the recycle bin ,system restore ,temp files and also compressed unused files ,you should try right clickin on c drive then selecting disk cleanup ,it might help recover some of your drive space
I wonder, can this be also done with my C drive? My C drive's Capacity is 74.5 GB, Free Space is 42.2 GB and Used Space reads 32.2 GB. But then when I manualy check all the files inside the C drive it comes up to 27.5 GB
Its hidden files on the root of C:\. If you open your C: and hit Ctr+A to select all files it warns you that there are hidden files. If you then hit Atl+Enter for properties, it still only gives you the properties of the files selected on screen. Tools > Folder options > View > Show hidden files/Hide protected OS files will allow you to view all your files. I suspect the 4GB difference is the Pagefile, and perhaps the hibernation file, if you hibernate....