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Can't find app that's taking up hard drive space

Anonymous
2019-07-24T20:54:02+00:00

At one point I purchased a game from Steam, which included a beta version. Since I didn't want that, I deleted it (unfortunately not through the Steam client). Now when I use the Storage app to see what files are taking up space on my hard drive, this game is shown as using 18.1 GB. Here's where my problem is:

a) when I try to uninstall the program directly from the Storage app, it takes me to the Steam app.

b) the base game (not the beta version) has already been uninstalled through Steam, so there's nothing left to uninstall. I've tried re-downloading the game so I could uninstall it properly, but this doesn't help. Unfortunately, the beta version I improperly deleted isn't available anymore, so that portion isn't being reinstalled (so it could be properly uninstalled).

c) when I search for the file in File Explorer, a couple of icons show up but nothing else.

d) the Storage app shows the name of the app that's taking up space, but doesn't indicate where it's actually stored

e) Steam has been useless for help, so I'm really just trying to figure out either if the Storage app is wrong (i.e. the game isn't actually there anymore) or where the app is actually located in case the Storage app is correct.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-07-24T20:59:41+00:00

    Hi Erik. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 10 year Windows MVP here to help you.

    See here how to find a file that's taking space:

    https://www.howtogeek.com/113012/10-best-free-t...

    Once you find it from the map it provides, click to see it's location, go there to delete it.

    If necessary unhide Hidden Files in File Explorer > View > Options > Change Folder and Search Options > View > enable Show Hidden Files, approve security box, Apply, Save.

    You can also Take Ownership if it won't budge, then if necessary delete the folder's contents inside before the folder itself: https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/a...

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  2. DaveM121 876.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2019-07-24T21:34:23+00:00

    Hi Erik, Windows Explorer is useless when it comes to working out where your hard drive space is being used . . .

    Click the link below to download a small free utility called Treesize. Using that tool, you will instantly see where this space is being used

    https://www.jam-software.com/treesize_free/

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-07-25T00:55:15+00:00

    I'm replying to everyone that responded here:

    I appreciate the help, but unfortunately it hasn't entirely solved my issue. I used one of the many programs to figure out how disc space is being used (WinDirStat in this case), and am still unable to find the game. It doesn't show up in any of the folders large enough to contain it.

    So I'm left with two possibilities:

    1. It's somehow under another name, and I can't find it (this seems unlikely, since I couldn't find any large, unidentifiable folders)
    2. Storage app is wrong, and the game is actually deleted but some remnants are fooling the app reporting it as still present. This seems likely, but makes me a bit worried that Windows won't let me use those 18 GB, as it thinks they're already used by another file.

    Again, thanks for the help even if I couldn't resolve the issue.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-07-24T21:01:54+00:00

    Hi Erik

    My name is Andre Da Costa; an Independent Consultant, Windows Insider MVP and Windows & Devices for IT MVP. I'm here to help you with your problem.

    Try using a free utility such as TreeSize to scan and browse the exact location of what is using up your hard disk. Here is a tutorial how to use it. You can then delete whatever log file.

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/map-hardrive-u...

    Information in the above link is sourced from a trusted Microsoft MVP blog.

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-07-25T01:36:42+00:00

    Erik, if it doesn't show up in WinDirStat then it's probably not there and is a ghost listing. Storage app can be wrong.

    I've had this happen once where it wasn't until I wiped the drive to reinstall that the misreporting went away.

    You could possibly reinstall the game and then uninstall it correctly via the Steam client. This could clue you to what's happened in a number of ways, even solve the problem. Reinstalling a program to properly uninstall it is a frequent solution.

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