1. Rapid/Unexpected Loss (Servers): Space is consumed quickly by rapidly growing log files, backup caches, or application temporary files.
2. Chronic Low Space (Workstations): The drive is chronically full due to hidden, large system files (Hibernation, System Protection) or poor cloud synchronization practices.

1. Analyze and Isolate the Space Hog (The First Step)

• Visualization Tool: Use a disk usage analyzer (like WinDirStat or TreeSize Free) to quickly identify which folders, regardless of size or hidden status, are the largest consumers of space.
• Target Known Locations: Check common culprits:
  • System Temp folders (C:\Windows\Temp and user %TEMP%).
  • The Recycle Bin and the user’s Downloads folder.
  • Application log file directories (especially on servers).
  • Cloud sync cache folders (OneDrive, Dropbox).

2. Immediate Reclamation for Small Drives (Addressing Chronic Issues)

• Run System Cleanup: Use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility (cleanmgr.exe), making sure to select “Clean up system files” to remove old Windows Update files (which can be huge).
• Disable Hibernation: This removes the large hiberfil.sys file (size is equal to about 75% of physical RAM). Use an elevated Command Prompt:

powercfg /h off

• Reduce System Protection: Dramatically reduce the space allocated to System Restore points (Volume Shadow Copies, VSS).

Action: Go to System Properties System Protection Configure, and reduce the Max Usage slider to 3–5 GB.

3. Long-Term Prevention and Server Management

• Log Rotation/Archiving: For server log files, configure the hosting application (web server, database, etc.) to automatically compress, archive, or delete logs older than a set period (e.g., 30 days).
• Cloud Sync Management: Ensure users with cloud storage (OneDrive, etc.) have “Files On-Demand” or an equivalent feature enabled to prevent all cloud data from downloading locally to the small SSD.
• Data Redirection: Implement Folder Redirection to move high-volume user folders (Documents, Desktop, Pictures) from the small C: drive to a secondary drive or network share.
• Monitoring and Alerting: Configure proactive monitoring alerts in your IT management system to warn you when free disk space drops below a set threshold (e.g., 20%) to prevent the drive from ever reaching 0 bytes.