How to Delete Large System Volume Information Folder in Windows

‘There is no more free storage space on the drive. I cleaned up all the used resources, but still, it is insufficient.’

Is it the same problem that you are facing? Did you check the System Volume Information folder?

If not yet, time to discover it.

How-to-Delete-Large-System-Volume-Information-Folder-in-Windows

A folder named “System Volume Information” can be found on practically every system’s hard drive. It is a hidden folder and can only be visible if you enable the “show hidden files and folders” option in file explorer. It is used for many purposes, like storing system restore points, service database information, data related to backup, and distributed tracking service. It is not like other folders; it has meaningful importance in accessing your drives.

Way to Access the Windows System Volume Information Folder

Apart from regular folders, there is a System Volume Information folder that performs essential tasks like storing major files that are critical for the smooth functioning of the Windows operating system. As an avid user, you must be knowing that it is a hidden folder and can’t be visible until you enable it.

If you are trying to open it directly on your computer, you will be triggered with an error message “access is denied”. Its clear meaning is that the folder should not be touched or altered.

Now, how can we access this folder in Windows if it is so protected?

No worry, just in case you want to access this folder, and if there is not a direct access method, we can opt for a backdoor method for it.

Steps:-

  1. Open “My Computer” > Click on Tools
  2. Click on the “Folder” option. Click on “View” tab
  3. Follow these steps: 
  • Select “Show hidden files and folders” in the check box.
  • Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files” in the check box.
  • Uncheck “Use SIMPLE file sharing” in the check box.
  1. Click “Yes”, if it asks for confirmation.
  2. Now click on “Save” and then “OK.”
  3. Grant Access to System Volume Information Folder
  • Right Click on “Folder” and select “Properties”
  • Click the “Security” tab.
  • Here we need to add the user name or account with whom we want to access the folder.

Click “OK.”

  1. Finish the process.

Now you can access the folder and see what is going inside. Remember, once you are done with the process, it is better to check the security settings you have changed. It is critical because, as a privileged user, you are dealing with sensitive files, and any possibility of another user gaining access could be disastrous.

Method to Fix Full Disk Issue Because of Large Windows System Volume Information Folder

How to delete system volume information folder?

The answer is, it cannot be deleted manually because it contains numerous system recovery files for any crucial conditions. 

By disabling the system restore point, we should be able to wipe out the directory present in system volume information.  Since that is not entirely acceptable, using the code mentioned below is the option.

vssadmin list shadowstorage

If you are keeping shadow copies and content-indexing files, it will display the specifics of the entire disc space.

You can also reduce the VSS’s disc usage cap by using the given command. The syntax is

vssadmin resize shadowstorage /on=[drive letter]: /For=[drive letter]: /MaxSize=[maximum size]

To swiftly remove the old version of VSS, use the disk shadow command mentioned below:

DiskShadow

Delete Shadows OLDEST c:\

Each time you run this command, it will delete the volume of the shadow copy.

Clean-up Method for Dedup / ChunkStore in the Folder

The Dedup and the ChunkStore directory took up a lot of space, as we frequently found after learning more about the System Volume Information folder. The system’s file deduplication is a feature that is simply activated.

The Window Data Deduplication feature will connect together distinct chunks to replace any identical chunks in a file. The System Volume Information folder directory is where these are saved. In this situation, old chunks won’t be removed right away if you delete the enhanced files from the data deduplication. Instead, to cleanup system volume information, the once-weekly Garbage Collection function takes care of removing these. Because of this, Data Deduplication activated volumes are unable to free up space.

But to eliminate superfluous portions you should run the following PowerShell command:

start-dedupjob -Volume C: -Type GarbageCollection

Next, examine the remaining integrity chunks: 

start-dedupjob -Volume C: -Type DataScrubbing

In order to free up space on the disc, these commands will now purge the System Volume Information directory of any unnecessary chunks.

 

Conclusion

In short, large files in system volume information folder can cause a disc full warning to occur. But, the question is how to remove system volume information folder to make more space? Can I delete system volume information folder? The answer is a big no, but using the above methods will help to gain more space on the disc. Try it and if you can’t fix it, call the Hiremyadmin team.