Forum Discussion
Ridiculously large driver install
Been on a skype call with my mum today because her C:\ drive was full, and we were trying to free up some space. During the usual DiskCleanups etc. we came across this.
The driver seems to be inconsequential, might have been something my Dad put there, maybe connected to mum's original record player she got to hook up to the computer, I don't know.
While it seems removing the driver will be fine, the reported size is giving me pause; how do I find out how a simple driver is taking up 41.2GB, yes GB, not MB, on the C drive. That's more than a Witcher 3 install and half of Cyberpunk 2077 for a driver! So I want to make sure it's not going to take a chunk of my mums data with it when it's removed.
Best way to figure this out?
1.Check the Source: Ensure that you're downloading drivers from the official website or a reputable source. Third-party sites can sometimes bundle unnecessary software, leading to larger downloads.
2.Driver Bundles: Some manufacturers offer software packages that include multiple drivers and applications, which can inflate the file size. Check if you can choose to download only the necessary drivers.
11.Uninstall Unused Drivers: Before installing new drivers, uninstall any outdated or unnecessary drivers that may be taking up space. You can do this via the Device Manager.
3.Clean Up Disk Space: Use Windows Disk Cleanup or similar tools to free up space. Temporary files, caches, and old driver remnants can take up significant room.
4.Use Driver Management Tools: Consider driver management tools that can help keep your drivers up to date without downloading large bundles. Some tools specialize in only downloading what's needed.
5.Installation Settings: During installation, check if there are options to exclude certain components or features that you may not need.
6.Monitor for Malware: Sometimes, large file sizes can be a sign of malware disguised as driver installations. Always run an antivirus scan if you suspect anything unusual.
7.Consider Alternative Drivers: For some hardware, there may be alternatives to the manufacturer’s driver (like open-source drivers). These can be smaller and more efficient
Thanks I guess?
Seems like you didn't read the original question though, because none of those points are relevant. It rather feels like a cut & paste response based solely on the word "driver" appearing.
