Incorrect free space

[kingcoop]

I am running XP Pro on a PC with two HD Seagate 20gb and WD 80gb. The WD is partationed. I deleted two files that 15gb each from on of the partitions on the WD and the free space remain unchanged. What on earth is happening here? I ran a WD diagonistic and all is well (so it says). all drives and patitions are NTFS. How do get windows to get it right.

[Sylvander]

When you "Delete" files it doesn't free up any space.

The files are sent to the Recycle Bin.
To free up the space occupied by the files they must be "Deleted" from the Recycle Bin. [Or the Recycle Bin emptied]

Alternatively you could use "Eraser". [I recommend it]
[I'm not sure if it works with NTFS partitions].
This irrecoverably "Erases" files and at the same time frees up the used space.
It works very well in conjunction with the "Delete" function.
You might [for example] "Delete" a file [or set of files] and replace it with an alternative version, then "Erase" the replacement and "Restore" the copy in the Recycle Bin.
This can be very useful at times.
It does FAR MORE than that of course.

Try it.
If you don't like it I'll be astonished. :)

[kingcoop]

Ok I am willing to give it try. Do you have a link for me? Sorry the file is not in the R/bin. Never went there. It just disappared when I confirmed that I wanted to delete it and the drive free space has not change.

[Sylvander]

Eraser
http://www.tolvanen.com/eraser/

[Paul Komski]

When deleting very large files you will usually be prompted that they are too big for the recycle bin and to confirm their total disappearance. 15GB files are huge ones and it cerainly sounds like there was some incomplete action. Have you tried running chkdsk? and then defragmenting after a reboot.

[kingcoop]

Ok thanks guys I did the chkdsk and everything seems to be right it self.