How to Clean System Volume Information folder if too large?

If it occupies too much memory, learn how to clear some of it

How to

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by Matthew Adams 

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Key notes

  • If you don't know what the System Volume Information folder is, it's created by the system to store Windows backups.
  • In time, the folder can accumulate quite some data, so clearing some of it isn't such a bad idea.
  • Be sure to read through all the methods to make sure that no harm is being done to your computer.

System Volume Information is a mysterious Windows folder that users aren’t permitted to open. The System Volume Information folder stores System Restore, Volume Shadow Copy, and content-indexing files.

So, that folder can hog quite a bit of hard drive storage space for some users. However, users can still clean up that folder to free up HDD space.

How can I delete System Volume Information folder?

1. Reveal the System Volume Information folder in File Explorer

  1. File Explorer doesn’t display the System Volume Information folder unless users configure a few folder settings. First, click the View tab in File Explorer.
  2. Then press the Options button and select Change folder and search options.
  3. Select the View tab shown directly below.folder options System Volume Information
  4. Select the Show hidden files, folders and drives option.
  5. Then uncheck the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) check box.
  6. Press the Apply button, and click OK to close the window.
  7. Next, open the C: root directory in File Explorer. Now a System Volume Information window will be visible as shown in the snapshot below.root directory System Volume Information
  8. An Access is denied error message will pop up when users try to open the System Volume Information folder. However, users can still right-click the folder and select Properties to open a window that provides further details pertaining to folder size.System Volume Information folder access denied

2. Reduce HDD Space Allocated to System Restore

Users can cut a System Volume Information folder down to size by reducing the amount of hard drive space allocated to System Restore. To do that in Windows 10, press the Windows key + Q hotkey.

  1. Enter the keyword system in the search box.
  2. Click Create a restore point to open the window shown directly below.system properties System Volume Information
  3. Press the Configure button.system protection System Volume Information folder
  4. Drag the Max usage bar left to reduce the hard drive storage allocated to System Restore.
  5. Alternatively, users can select the Disable system protection option to turn off System Restore.
  6. Select the Apply option.
  7. Click OK to close the window.

3. Clear System Volume Information Folder With Disk Cleanup

  1. Users can also clean up the Volume Information Folder with the Disk Clean-up utility in Windows. To do that, enter Disk Cleanup in Cortana’s search box.
  2. Click Disk Clean-up to open the window shown below.select the drive System Volume Information is too big
  3. Select the C: drive on the drop-down menu, and click the OK button.disk cleanup System Volume Information folder
  4. Press the Clean-up system files button.
  5. Then select the C: drive again on the Drive Selection window.
  6. Click the OK button.
  7. Next, select the More Options tab shown below.more options disk cleanup System Volume Information folder
  8. Press the Clean up button under the System Restore and Shadow Copies subheading.
  9. Press the Delete button to further confirm.

So, that’s how users can cut a bloated System Volume Information folder down to size. Doing so can potentially free up gigabytes of storage space hogged by System Restore.

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More about the topics: Windows 10 Guides

Matthew Adams

Matthew Adams Shield

Windows Hardware Expert

Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it. He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes. In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.

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