Solved $ Extend folder Windows 10

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roger hawke

roger hawke

PCHF Member
Nov 15, 2016
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I queried this not too long ago.
Please see attached screenshot.

First noticed this folder in a scan with Wiztree, which at the time the folder was 2.0gb.
This has now grown to 8.4gb over the last couple of days.
I really don't understand what this folder is about but I understand that it can't be deleted and that the only way to get over it is with a fresh install of WIN 10???

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Rustys posted a link for me to look at at the time, but I was wondering if there was any other comments.
Obviously I don't want the folder forever growing in size.
 

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see if Windows can do some housekeeping on it.

start an elevated command prompt and type in cleanmgr c: /sageset:5 (I say 5, but it can be any number between 1 and 65,000. I used 5 in case you already used a 1)

then select all the categories you want cleaned - basically you'd be after all of them except the Downloads folder.

then type cleanmgr /sagerun:5 and it'll do the cleanup.

see if that changes it.
if it's still there and space is getting critical, you can always delete it and see what happens. Windows will always recreate it if it needs to.
the unknown is what is in that folder and how is it used - so if you do delete it, have a system image backup handy.
 
That normally hidden Windows $extend folder contains windows settings and changes to the NTFS system. JUST ignore it.

What you can do is have a cleanup though. This guide is aimed at cleaning the mess after a Windows update but it's the same thing. Even if you got rid of that folder/ files you are concerned about it (windows) will just make and build the folders again

https://pchelpforum.net/resources/clean-up-after-windows-10-update.130/
 
Bruce/Gus,

Did what you suggested - folder is still there (8.4gb)

This is the link that Rustys left for me to look at.
answers.microsoft.com

What is C:\$Extend\$UsnJml:$J

Greetings, Just now I found out that this file is taking up 35 GB of space on my C:\ drive. If I type C:\$Extend\ in the file explorer, it tells me that directory does not exist. Does anybody know
answers.microsoft.com

Gus - I understand what you say re. ignore it - but I don't want it to keep growing!!!
 
Haven't used Wintree in ages but here's what I have on 2 pc's

2019-11-17_130331.jpg



2019-11-17_131643.jpg


And here's the same thing on a D Drive on one of the machines above.

2019-11-17_134202.jpg


Maybe it's best you don't use Wintree and you then won't be concerned about it, but seriously, It does indicate in the above pictures that it is a hidden system folder, and as such is prbably best left alone. I guess as Windows stores information on applications used it (extend folder) would dynamically change to suit the day. There is no saying your folder will grow any further in size. Even if you got rid of it, it would recreate itself.

Suggest watching it every so often and if it does grow to an unmanageable size take it further then.
 
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Thanks Gus,
I notice from your pics that we are only talking MB as opposed to my GB.

Anyway, best I keep an eye on it.
 
Gus,
It was a clean/fresh install of Win IO Home.
You may recall I also upgraded motherboard/processor/memory with a lot of assistance from yourself.
I have scoured the internet to try and find a simple explanation as to what $Extend is all about, but I can find nothing that's very understandable.

The increase in size of the folder was around the time when I installed a batch of updates then I did a restore because of a problem, installed the updates again,
did another restore, and installed updates again. Whether this is related, I really don't know. Your thoughts??
 
You could indeed get rid of that folder, but I would not recommend doing so. Seems the size of your $extend folder is not huge when you look at others comments on the web about it.

If it really worries you I see three no two options
  1. Remove the folder with unknown consequences.
  2. Do a clean install of Windows.
  3. Live with it, which is the best IMO.
 
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Gus/Bruce,

Sincere thanks for all your efforts.
I guess I'll have to live with it and keep an eye on it (Maybe it will even get smaller as time goes on??)

Please mark as solved (sort of).(y)
 
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