Server C Drive - Low on space

[Joanne]

So I have this problem in my school and at another school I support. Both servers were set up by One Connect. Both servers have an 80GB C drive partition. It fills up. A lot. In an ideal world I'd extend this partition, but this isn't possible.

 

At the moment I do need to reboot the server to install updates, so a chunk of space will be taken up with that. HOWEVER - when I run treesize the folders taking up the most space are as follows:

 

 

In the past when I have been remedying laptops doing this, I have installed Patch Cleaner which clears the Installer folder of orphaned files. It worked fine and I have had no comeback from the user. I'm a bit reluctant to run this on the server though. Thoughts?

 

NB: Server is everything for the network. DC, SIMS, Print, File etcs.

Edited April 27, 2016 by Joanne

[RichCowell]

I've used MiniTool Partition Wizard Free a lot for these issues - not used it on a server yet, but have done on loads of PCs - let you resize the partition if the other partitions can be shrunk...

 

https://www.partitionwizard.com/

[sonofsanta]

Run diskcleanup, that'll clear down winsxs. It's not enabled in 2008R2, but it's easy to get back.

 

And a general list of stuff: https://help.maximumasp.com/KB/a494/my-server-says-low-space-on-c-drive.aspx

 

If it's a web server, IIS logs will probably have a chunk of stuff in. Always easy space to free up.

[pantscat]

Is there anything that can be moved from the C: drive to another drive/partition?

 

Print Spool folder?

Logs?

SYSVOL?

Temp files?

 

Have a look using something like WinDirStat to see where the space is going.

[Joanne]

Run diskcleanup, that'll clear down winsxs. It's not enabled in 2008R2, but it's easy to get back.

 

And a general list of stuff: https://help.maximumasp.com/KB/a494/my-server-says-low-space-on-c-drive.aspx

 

If it's a web server, IIS logs will probably have a chunk of stuff in. Always easy space to free up.

 

Should have mentioned that I've tried this. It thinks it can only shift 3-400MB

 

Logs are tiny...

 

Edited April 27, 2016 by Joanne

[Joanne]

I've used MiniTool Partition Wizard Free a lot for these issues - not used it on a server yet, but have done on loads of PCs - let you resize the partition if the other partitions can be shrunk...

 

https://www.partitionwizard.com/

 

I don't think I can shrink my partitions...

 

[localzuk]

SoftwareDistribution\Download can be emptied, but that'll fill back up when you run updates.

 

That said, 27GB for the Installer directory seems like rather a lot. I have a *lot* of software installed on my desktop PC, including the entire Adobe suite, Office suite, SCCM client, LibraOffice, 3 web browsers, Visual Studio 2015, the full Serif suite and a pile of little applications and it is only 5GB for that lot.

 

What does the server have installed on it that has such large installers/uninstaller files? (You can't delete files in that dir directly, but is there anything that can be uninstalled from the server?)

[network41]

Scan the disk for any msi files , if you find them move them to anothr drive/storage for safe keeping

[localzuk]

Scan the disk for any msi files , if you find them move them to anothr drive/storage for safe keeping

 

Don't do this! You can break a great many programs by moving them around if they were in the C:\Windows\Installers folder!!

[Joanne]

SoftwareDistribution\Download can be emptied, but that'll fill back up when you run updates.

 

That said, 27GB for the Installer directory seems like rather a lot. I have a *lot* of software installed on my desktop PC, including the entire Adobe suite, Office suite, SCCM client, LibraOffice, 3 web browsers, Visual Studio 2015, the full Serif suite and a pile of little applications and it is only 5GB for that lot.

 

What does the server have installed on it that has such large installers/uninstaller files? (You can't delete files in that dir directly, but is there anything that can be uninstalled from the server?)

 

Been through all this and took anything I definitely don't need off. Here are my top space hoggers!

 

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Don't do this! You can break a great many programs by moving them around if they were in the C:\Windows\Installers folder!!

 

I knows it

 

Seriously considering using that Patch Cleaner on the server though... that takes out orphaned files.

Edited April 27, 2016 by Joanne

[Valsh]

27GB Installer folder is way oversized. Our's are sitting at anywhere from 0.9-2GB. If you filter the folder by size, what files are sitting at the top?

 

Can also run Server Cleanup Wizard under WSUS if you haven't done that to remove updates that have been superseded or no longer apply to your network configuration.

[BKGarry]

Stupid question, where is your swap file located? Virtual memory can be a hog and I have a habit of moving it to the non system drives on Physical servers.

[Joanne]

27GB Installer folder is way oversized. Our's are sitting at anywhere from 0.9-2GB.

 

Can also run Server Cleanup Wizard under WSUS if you haven't done that to remove updates that have been superseded or no longer apply to your network configuration.

 

Don't have WSUS on this bad boiii

[pantscat]

Does Papercut have a SQL database? Can that be moved to a different partition?

[Joanne]

Stupid question, where is your swap file located? Virtual memory can be a hog and I have a habit of moving it to the non system drives on Physical servers.

 

Disabled Yo!

 

[timbo343]

@Joanne How big the the physical drive? Has it been partitioned to look a 80gb?

 

I've used Gparted on server disks running in a Raid5 config before with great success. In fact i used it on our physical backup server as that was low on space and it worked a treat.

[RichCowell]

I don't think I can shrink my partitions...

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]36452[/ATTACH]

 

I've had that before I think - If you do still need or want to once you've cleared space from what others are suggesting, if the E drive isn't full, defragging it - that should make space at the end of it and allow you to shrink it... (I use Defraggler)...

[Joanne]

Does Papercut have a SQL database? Can that be moved to a different partition?

 

It does. I'm just looking on that there WinDirStat and it doesn't appear as a huge square. I am coming across quite a few log files like people have said that are large, but you wouldn't see them in treesize!

 

Pretty colours.

 

 

I can delete these .log files can't I? They will recreate won't they? Deleted 3GB worth of Sophos logs.

[localzuk]

There is a flaw with MSI installers - they update nicely, but Windows keeps the .msi files for the outdated ones also. There used to be a tool to tidy this up but Microsoft have removed it lately for some reason.

 

That said, a quick and easy way to move the folder would be to follow the first answer's instructions here: How can I free up drive space from the Windows installer folder without killing Windows 8.1? - Super User

 

Basically, move the folder, delete the original, and add a symlink.

 

There's also tools like this:

 

http://www.homedev.com.au/Free/PatchCleaner

http://appnee.com/wicleanup/

 

But, when it comes to breaking things on a server I err on the side of caution and avoid them.

Edited April 27, 2016 by localzuk

[Joanne]

@Joanne How big the the physical drive? Has it been partitioned to look a 80gb?

 

I've used Gparted on server disks running in a Raid5 config before with great success. In fact i used it on our physical backup server as that was low on space and it worked a treat.

 

Yeah it's a RAID 5. C - 80GB , D - 80GB, E - 850GB, X - 105GB. I just wish I knew why it keeps filling! Maybe it is log files...

[sonofsanta]

My config manager server (with all its web server logs) fits into 40GB. Its installer folder is only 4GB. I have no idea how you've got numbers so big.

 

This post has no answers and is basically rubbing it in, isn't it? Sorry.

[Joanne]

There is a flaw with MSI installers - they update nicely, but Windows keeps the .msi files for the outdated ones also. There used to be a tool to tidy this up but Microsoft have removed it lately for some reason.

 

That said, a quick and easy way to move the folder would be to follow the first answer's instructions here: How can I free up drive space from the Windows installer folder without killing Windows 8.1? - Super User

 

Basically, move the folder, delete the original, and add a symlink.

 

I've actually got that page open on a tab already! Hahah. So tempted to use Patch Cleaner... I've used it successfully before....

[localzuk]

Indeed. PatchCleaner has a safe option too - move the unused files somewhere, so if the worst happens you can move em back.

[Joanne]

My config manager server (with all its web server logs) fits into 40GB. Its installer folder is only 4GB. I have no idea how you've got numbers so big.

 

This post has no answers and is basically rubbing it in, isn't it? Sorry.

 

It is. How rude of you

[Joanne]

Reet.... doing it....