ISSUE: Windows Vista™ displays the following message on the Taskbar:

"Low Disk Space
You are running out of disk space on Recovery (D:). To free space on this drive by deleting old or unnecessary files, click here."

Drive D: is a 10 GB or less partition of the hard drive containing the recovery software for the operating system, applications, and drivers for the computer. It is not meant for backing up data from Drive C:.

RESOLUTION: From the Start menu, click Computer, and then check the free space on drive D:. It should have 3 GB to 6 GB of free disk space. If less than 3 GB free space remains, the Low Disk Space message continues to appear until files are removed from drive D:.
View Picture

Notes:

• Before deleting any files from drive D:, create a recovery disc.
  Create system recovery discs
• Do not delete the recovery file on drive D:, This file must remain so that the recovery program remains functional.

Redirect or turn off backups to drive D:

1. From the Start menu, click Control Panel.

2. In Control Panel Home View, click Back up your computer.

3. In the Back up files dialog box, click Backup up files or Change settings.
   View Picture

4. In the next dialog box, click Continue User Account Control.

5. In the Backup Status and Configuration dialog box, click Change backup settings.
   View Picture

6. In the next dialog box, click Continue User Account Control.

7. In the Back Up Files dialog box, determine where the backup is being saved. If drive D: is selected, either change the selection to another drive letter, such as an external drive, or turn off the backup function.
   View Picture

8. To turn off the backup, in the Backup Status and Configuration dialog box click Turn Off.
   View Picture

9. Follow the steps below to delete all files except the recovery file from drive D:.

Delete files from drive D:

Notes:

• Before deleting any files from drive D:, create a recovery disc.
  Create system recovery discs
• Do not delete the recovery file on drive D:, This file must remain so that the recovery program remains functional.

1. From the Start menu, click Computer.

2. Right-click (secondary click) drive D:, and then click Explore.

3. Remove all files except Recovery. It has a padlock icon beside the filename.
   View Picture

   Note: If you are unable see the files on drive D:, perform the following steps, otherwise skip to step 4.

   1. In the Computer > RECOVERY (D:) window from the Organize menu, click Folder and Search Options.

   2. In the Folder Options dialog box, click the View tab.

   3. In the View tab, click Restore Defaults first, and then in the Advanced Settings box, do the following:
      View Picture
      1. Under Hidden files and folders, select Show hidden files and folders.

      2. Click to deselect the Hide extensions for known file type check box.

      3. Click to deselect the Hide Protected operating systems files (Recommended) check box.

      4. In the Warning dialog box, click Yes.
         View Picture

      5. Click Apply, and then click OK.
         View Picture

      6. In the Computer > RECOVERY (D:) window, all files are now visible. Look for a directory that matches the name of your computer (example: Marta-PC), and then delete it.
         View Picture

      7. Hide files and folders:
         1. Perform steps a - c above.

         2. Select Do not show hidden files.

         3. Select the Hide extensions for know file types check box.

         4. Select the Hide protected operating systems files (Recommended) check box.

         5. Click Apply, and then click OK.

4. While the files are being deleted, the Destination Folder Access Denied dialog box may appear. Click Continue.
   View Picture

5. In the Delete Folder dialog box, click Yes.
   View Picture