Why does Windows have so many files?

Joined
Jan 19, 2015
Messages
103
Reaction score
6
Long story, cut short. You have a nasty virus somewhere. Download a program (Malwarebytes?) and do a scan.


I dont think its a virus but to your satisfaction I loaded and updated Malwarebytes and ran a scan
that found nothing but a few cookies ..

Notably - it only scanned about 400k+ items (far more sensible)

SO the question remains - WHY is WD telling me it 5.7 million?
 
Joined
Nov 19, 2013
Messages
6,296
Reaction score
1,272
Not much advice there, pal. The OP probably did that and arrived here, among other search possibilities.
 
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Messages
2,835
Reaction score
631
Tim H By chance do you use MS One Drive? I believe that One Drive will create duplicate files which Defender will also scan. You can look for duplicated files in Explore. Duplicate files will include the computers name. eg. If you have a file named "Tim H Work.doc" The duplicate file on One Drive would be something like "Tim H PC Name Work.doc.
Also if you use Cloud, it also is nasty reputation for file duplication.
I'm no expert on One Drive or Cloud. I use neither one of them and never will.
 
Joined
Nov 19, 2013
Messages
6,296
Reaction score
1,272
I hope the op can solve this problem. I am sure many will benefit from a solution.

I have also read on the web, that a reason for this one-off behaviour, can be a particular combination of sleep and hibernate. In the case I read (cant find it for the moment) if all such functions are disabled, then you are home and dry.
I would say, if true, it is an unforgivable overlooked bug in Windows 10/Defender. Apparently, whenever this happens, Defender stops and starts over from the beginning
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top