How do I delete huge files from System Volume Information?

Anonymous
2011-08-16T11:37:52+00:00

I have three large hard disks that I use to store backups of the system.  Some program -- I think it was the defragmenter -- caused Win 7 to place huge files (> 4 GB) in System Volume Information.  Nothing I do wil let me delete these files.  I cannot even take ownership of them.  When I try to take ownership of either the file or of System Volume Information I receive an "Access is denied" error on the file name.  Nothing should prevent an administrator from taking ownership of any file on his system.  How can I delete these huge files?  Please do not answer "Use Disk Cleanup to delete all but the last restore point."  That runs, but it deletes nothing.  On a previous installation of Win 7, I could take ownership of System Volume Information and delete its contents, but ot on this new installation.

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Anonymous
2011-08-17T10:05:51+00:00

Hello,

The System Volume information folder keeps the Restore point entries. Usually it is not recommended to delete the entries from the System volume information.

Step 1 : Stop the Volume shadow copy service.

a:  Go to Start - Run and type Services.msc then press enter.

b: Under the Status column look for any entries that read as "Started", make it as “Stopped”.

**c:**Click apply and then ok.

Step 2 : Then take ownership of the System volume Information folder and then try to delete its contents.

How do I open a file if I get an access denied message?

Hope that helps.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-29T14:36:38+00:00

    Control panel/system/system protection(tab)/Configure

    Turn OFF system protection

    Set slider bar to minimum usage

    Delete all restore points (this clears System Volume Information)

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-07-13T02:52:18+00:00

    Apparently you can just use disk cleanup.  Right click the drive, choose disk cleanup and let it scan.  Then go to the more options tab and select cleanup system restore and shadow copies.  it will delete all but the newest.  And then follow the other instructions here to reduce the allowed size for system restore.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-07-13T11:06:45+00:00

    Using cCleaner to selectively delete restore is a better approach. Paragraph 4.16:

    http://www.gerryscomputertips.co.uk/maintenance4a.htm

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-08-27T10:51:21+00:00

    I have just cleared 30GB from a drive on a W2008 server by running chkdsk (Error Checking) from the properties, tools (I actually deselected "automatically fix system disk errors").

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