I have a partitioned HDD, partitioned while we still used XP. The man allocated 20 GB for the system. Did maintenance work regularly and kept that baby running smoothly. Fast-forward X years, I updated to Win7. Problem is most of the system partition is used even with the bare minimum of programs installed (only what i need, the biggest hog is adobe reader), free space was only 3.+ GB. Boot up was fast enough but still, it may suffer if it gets any lower. So, I still go through regular disk cleanup for a few megabytes of space (and peace of mind).
Then Glenda happened. After the power flickered, it created a system restore point which ate up memory. After a normal start-up and restart, it deleted itself. But memory was down to 2.4 GB -- not OK.
I didn't want to start over (format, etc.) for more space which typically takes a very long time.
After defrag+cleanup it was still a low 2.6 GB. I could try extending the partition but no, too chicken. So, what else could I do for now that's low risk and reversible?
Ding! Ding! Ding! Disable hibernate which basically deletes a system file. I have never used hibernate (or even sleep) so I have no problem disabling it. The great thing is - that system file is recreated if I re-enable hibernate. No risk, actually. Nice.
First things first, I didn't have hibernate on my start menu (only saw sleep). That means, I have hybrid sleep on. So, this fixed that:
control panel -> power options -> change when computer sleeps -> sleep(expand/dropdown) -> allow hybrid sleep(select: OFF) -> apply -> OK
Hello, hibernate.
Now to say bye-for-now through the command prompt (this part deletes the system file I talked about above - which frees up some memory):
start -> cmd (right-click, run as admin) -> type powercfg.exe /hibernate off -> hit enter -> type exit
Done in a moment and 1 GB regained. From 2.6 to 3.7 GB, not the best at 20% (ideal is 25%) but not very bad either.
Then Glenda happened. After the power flickered, it created a system restore point which ate up memory. After a normal start-up and restart, it deleted itself. But memory was down to 2.4 GB -- not OK.
I didn't want to start over (format, etc.) for more space which typically takes a very long time.
After defrag+cleanup it was still a low 2.6 GB. I could try extending the partition but no, too chicken. So, what else could I do for now that's low risk and reversible?
Ding! Ding! Ding! Disable hibernate which basically deletes a system file. I have never used hibernate (or even sleep) so I have no problem disabling it. The great thing is - that system file is recreated if I re-enable hibernate. No risk, actually. Nice.
First things first, I didn't have hibernate on my start menu (only saw sleep). That means, I have hybrid sleep on. So, this fixed that:
control panel -> power options -> change when computer sleeps -> sleep(expand/dropdown) -> allow hybrid sleep(select: OFF) -> apply -> OK
Hello, hibernate.
Now to say bye-for-now through the command prompt (this part deletes the system file I talked about above - which frees up some memory):
start -> cmd (right-click, run as admin) -> type powercfg.exe /hibernate off -> hit enter -> type exit
Done in a moment and 1 GB regained. From 2.6 to 3.7 GB, not the best at 20% (ideal is 25%) but not very bad either.
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