No memory left; only 4 GBs out of 32 GB

[ccronin61]

Purchased this computer this year.  Says it has 3.75 GB of disc space left out of 21 GB.  It continues to show low memory and HP Assistant keeps coming up with messages saying I need to transfer some of my files to an alternative drive in order to free up more disc space.  However, I have searched this entire computer and the only file I find that is

that big is Windows which is using approximately 17 GB.  There are no other files on my disc that take up that much space. 

When I do disc cleanup, it shows that I do not have anywhere near that much to clean up.  Additionally, it continues to estimate the amount of space I will gain rather than actually performing the cleanup task. 

For Windows, it shows an OLD and a new file, the new one created about a month after the old one.  ???  Also, there is a listing for "programs" and then another listing for "programs" but it has a x86 behind it.  ???

I use this computer to download music purchases, basic word processing, social media, general internet searches and email correspondence.  I store all large documents and music files on a 500 GB external hard drive. 

I followed the instructions on an email on this forum that advised changing settings for the virtual memory, however, the virtual memory shows that it is using the maximum capacity right now on this computer. 

I have a basic understanding of how computers work.  Please advise on how this can be corrected.     

Thank  you for your assistance. 

[erico]

What is the exact name of the "old" Windows directory? 

[ccronin61]

Spoiler

Sorry for the delay in replying.  I had surgery when I posted this and was preoccupied with recovery so I could get back to work. 

The old file is simply Windows.old dated 2/16/2015.  There are also 2 sets of program files:  program files (2.15.2015) and program files (x86) dated 6.20.2015.

Thank you!

[erico · Accepted solution]

Hi @ccronin61

No worries. It is good to hear that your surgery went well.

Windows.old is only seen as a result of an upgrade. You can safely delete the entire Windows.old directory. It won't affect any of the program you have installed.

Are you able to post a screenshot of what you see in Windows explorer in the C: partition? I will show you an example.

[ccronin61]

Thank you.  I got approval to return to work so that is a good thing! 

OK.  I have deleted the Windows.old file. 

Here is the screen shot of directory.  Thank you!  Caroline

[erico]

@ccronin61

Hi Caroline, 

That shows everything is as it should be.

[Paris525s]

I purchased an HP Stream with 32 gigs of space in early 2015. I. Fact I bought two of these computers and did the updates to Windows 10. Now my wife CPU is runing fine and has 7.8 gigs of free space but mine went from have 11 gigs of free space down to 1.5 gigs. It also keeps telling me that I can rum windows 10 when I already have it installed. What do I need to do to het this space back as it is now in the red. I have a 16 gig scandisk installed to save important messages or work on their i stead of the CPU. Any help to get at least 4-5 gigs back would be great.