Data Shredder mysteriously filled up all my usable space?!

hi all -

something very weird - i used the data shredder for the first time, and then noticed a few days later that i had no more space left on my drive. i couldn’t find it anywhere, but then using a disc partition program i found hundreds of empty files, called things like ~ 000d, ~000e all exactly 200 mb all attached to the root of C drive. i can’t delete them. they’ve almost filled up all the available space on the disc. any help much appreciated. they were all created on the same day i ran the shredder. i’ve tried a deep boot scan twice and also tried to delete them via partition programme, but no luck, i’m stuck…

thanks!

anton

this was using “shred deleted files”…

Reported to Avast. Let’s see if they have an answer. :slight_smile:

Hi!

Having the same problem. Used Data Shredder for the first time it went to a 100% and then showed a check mark. Nothing happened for a while and I was wanting to reboot my computer so I canceled the proccess thinking that it was just some UI error. Now my C drive is full I cant use some programs such as Google Chrome or even open Avast Premier. Programs such as System Mechanic can’t seem to clean the C disk either.

Hopefully Avast will have an answer

Edit
Repaired Avast and Reinstalled Google Chrome. Both seem to be working now. The issue of a full C disk remains

Hi,
I ran data shredder for the first time this weekend and now have a full hard drive. A number of other issues happened, as well, which required me to reinstall Avast and also to my internet connection back again. Everything was working fine before data shredder. The computer now connects to the internet and everything seems to be working but my hard drive is full and it was not before running data shredder.

Was there ever an answer to the OP’s question?

Added later in the day:

This is provided for anyone else who finds that Data Shredder filled up their hard drive. Another post mentioned the free program Space Monger which I downloaded via CNET. Also downloaded CC Cleaner. Space Monger showed me that my hard drive had 808 GB of space filled with files that had “shredded” information in them. Thousands of files all created on the same day that I ran data shredder. They were all 200 mb each. Thousands and thousands of them.

CC cleaner has a data analysis tool which helped me to delete all these useless space hogging files. Now my hard drive has 821 GB of free space.
Lesson learned!

Update to the latest version (17.3.2291): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=199715.0

So, same dang problem with my Data Shredder…used up all but 5 gb’s of my 1000 gb’s. It appears Avast is NOT taking this issue seriously. They KNOW there is a problem with the shredder, but yet nothing from Avast as a fix. like deleting the shredded files from my C drive. So I have to go download other programs to solve it? Scathing reviews of Avast WILL be forthcoming if I do not hear from a Tech from Avast. I just purchased the Avast Premier. so I am not a Free Avast user. WTH???

Contact support: https://support.avast.com/support/tickets/new

Again reported to Avast. This time via a different channel.

I did, they told me to run “repair”, I did, it just added more to my nearly full C disk. I replied that it did nothing and I have not received another response. This is crap, and I will not renew my subscription to Avast.

Where are all those files located? Post full file path

I will when I return home, I am on my phone now.

I’ve been told that Avast wasn’t able to reproduce the problem. :frowning:

Time to post some support files…
Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB33#artTitle

Given the scenario that shredding files can take days depending on size of drive… I’m of the opinion some users actually try to terminate the program before it completes and thus wind up in this mess. :cry:

One feature Avast can do without, esp as this is not related to their core mission.

I did terminate it early, but htf was I supposed to know this would be the result? Avast should issue an advisory to not terminate before it is completed.

That sort of thing happens with many maintenance programs. You terminate at your own peril.
If you can’t spend the time to allow it to complete its function than don’t start the process.
At this point, simply delete the useless data to give you the room needed on your Hard Drive.
Don’t forget to also clear the Recycle Bin.

The problem with deleting unnecessary data is I am technologically challenged…I do not really know which are necessary, which are caused by my wrongly terminating the shredder.

The problem with deleting unnecessary data is I am technologically challenged...I do not really know which are necessary, which are caused by my wrongly terminating the shredder.
See my previous post / question

I have initiated contact with support one more time, as per instructions from Asyn.
What is really frustrating is this is a new computer, and I had absolutely no need or reason to “try out” the deleted file shredder. Like a child that sees a new toy, I just had to try it! Lessons learned:

  1. do not use such things unless there is a need for it ::slight_smile:
  2. do not terminate programs I am unfamiliar with before they have completed their job!! :-[

I will let you all know what happens when I get replies from Support