Windows 7/8/10: What are 0-byte

The mysteries in the Windows cosmos include the 0-byte files: they do not consume storage space - they see them by calling their properties. To do this, double-click such items while holding down the Alt key. In the window opening window is 0 bytes with size and size on disk . If the Windows Explorer is switched to the Details view, you will also receive a volume of 0 kilobytes ( KB ) for 0-byte files. The space consumption does not interfere with 0-byte files, a significant burden on your PC does not represent the whole. If your SSD or hard drive is almost marginal, the mask of such file system objects does not help. The most dedicated disadvantage of the files is that they reduce the clarity. Navigate in a file manager through the folders of your disk, driving 0-byte files - the more files it are, the stronger. This offers an occasion to clean up: We reveal in this guide where 0-byte files come from which task you have and how to track them - as well.

Clean up and free up space

An info front: If you want to thoroughly clean up your PC, 0-byte files should not stand primarily on your agenda. Before you previously take Gigabyte big heavyweights, for example in the download folder. There often piles files that they have downloaded and then forgotten. Dorty ZIP archives, for example, have long been unpacked, but they forgot to draw them away. Multiple downloaded files that windows through number are also not uncommon.

Even the removal may be double downloaded files that now populate the download folder is useful. Recommended free tools for cleaning up are among others Treesize Free (likes big files on) and anti-twin (deletes duplicate files). Life in the virtual PC plaster form 0-byte files. Also remove the, you do not gain not only value storage space or tempo - but cleanliness fanatics have a good feeling in the end. Furthermore, the overview in Explorer increases. If you want to further improve your view in the file system, the removal empty folder comes into question. That makes the program Remove Empty Directories . Most likely, removing large files causes more pace, but in practice rewards you not with noticeably more PC splash.

What are 0-byte files?

Some 0-byte files are defective files that arise about when a program wants to save something and programmed it faulty. Or the application crashes when saving. It is also technically possible that software is aware of 0-byte files - as orientation. It is conceivable that an application signaling a state. This is feasible, for example, with batch, such as a batch script on a 0-byte file and depends on whether it later finds code-internal path, the software (next call) reacts differently. A so-called Errorlevel acts as a jump mark. A query for the presence of a file name on a defined location can be batch via dir | Findstr achieve. Although there are also files with more (respective ones) create memory consumption and check for their existence, but that would be lack of storage. 0-byte files appear almost ideal for this - after all, it is not about a file content, but only the file existence and because files may like to be a maximum of tiny.

In terms of file format, 0-byte files are often TXT text documents or files with the extension log; These are log files. There are often temporary files ( .tmp). On a test system, HTM files were also to be discovered with the smallest possible file size. On the other hand, some 0-byte files have no ending. The gate browser in turn sets a 0-byte file called parent.lock, ie an element with the extension or the format lock - exemplary on this anonymous surf browser shows a sporadic problem in dealing with the smallest files: the Delete prepares problems, in the concrete case at runtime of the browser, to which parent.lock is locked. If you want to eliminate the file, you must end the browser, then Windows no longer refuses to get away with an error message. If in doubt, restart your PC to end indirectly and enable deletion.

It's hardly known that 0-byte files are created when you want to save a GEIC file with MS Paint on Windows 10. The error message This file can not be saved. The memory operation has been interrupted. The file was not saved . Although the notice of appeal speaks that a secure is not possible, a file arises very well. Only does not contain any picture data. The HEIC format is available in Paint's drop-down menu since the system version 1809 (October 2018 update). In practice, the creation of appropriate files fail because the associated HEVC add-on is not installed. That's a pity, the HEIC file format is sometimes better than JPEG. Who reinstalls the required extension from the linked article, generates files in the still quite new format and remains spared before error messages and 0-byte data waste.

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Under Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 Stirring 0-byte files further from failed attempts to secure energy saving plans. This requires an administrator command line (which you open by entry into the start menu of cmd and with Ctrl Shift input as well as with Alt-J). If you call the cmd.exe Normal via WIN-R and CMD , the crucial command to create a backup POW file promotes only a non-reconstructable (useless) 0-byte element. First, enter the command line PowerCFG List . A list of existing energy saving plans appears. Also with the summary of the command ( PowerCFG L ), run the installed configuration mixes. The entry of the currently active savings plan is marked with an asterisk. To save one of the plans you need its GUID: This cryptic number copy (for Windows 10 more comfortable than Windows 7/8.1) into the clipboard. Then insert them in the backup command that writes the record to a backup file:

PowerCFG Export .POW

If the cmd.exe is low (instead of with administrator) rights, a 0-byte file is created. The CMD reports that an unexpected error has occurred. The file can not be read with the following backup restore command:

PowerCFG Import

It does not need administrator rights for PowerCFG Import; Returning the fuses works with normally privileged console instances. But that's just when the desired backup file has a content that was created by an Admin CMD. The imported energy saving plans can be found at the end in the Windows power control (PowerCfg.cpl) powerup options.

Find 0-byte files and delete

To delete 0-byte files, like other files, proceed: right-click on the element of your missort and then call the Delete command in the context menu. For this purpose, such a file is initially sustainable; In your own you have some effort. Since some 0-byte files are hiding in the depths of their drive, the Windows File Manager with its search is available as a search helper - so you can easily find the items using the onset: In the first step, start the Explorer with Windows E and activate the search box at the top right by pressing Ctrl-F. Alternatively, click in the input field. Tap the following command (and practice especially with a hard drive with your lame read access times in patience):

Size: empty

It starts a search for all partitions after small files; Pressing the Enter key to trigger the search is required only for newer Windows 10 versions (from 1909, November 2019 update). Under Windows 10, after pressing Windows-e still switched from the default fast access to the This PC view (by clicking on this link in the tree view on the left), you will receive search results in a comparable amount as with Windows 7 / 8.1 . To accelerate the search, navigate under Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 in the Explorer first by click to a folder to be searched as the desktop; After entering size: empty , the system differs only the driven area. This is much faster than the full search.

Right-click on a limited minimum large file Open the context menu: Choose the Delete command here is the item to the collar. Mark multiple file search findings, remove the items with the context command in a slip.