Top 6 Ways to Find Empty Folders & Files in Windows

List Empty Folders
03

Feb

List of the best ways to find empty folders inside a drive, folder, or entire network. Delete empty files and folders and remove useless clutter from your storage. Remove unused blank files and improve the performance of your system.

This article is all about dealing with empty folders and files in Windows. Even though they might seem unimportant, they can mess up your system. When your files and folders are organized, your computer works better. In this chapter, we’re going to learn about different technical ways to find and manage these empty things in Windows.

The simplest and most effective way to identify empty folders and files is by using the free tool Folder Size. This user-friendly software not only excels in pinpointing empty items but also boasts an array of powerful features for comprehensive file and disk management. One standout capability is its ability to effortlessly find the largest files and search for the largest folders within a system, enabling users to identify and address space-consuming elements efficiently. This is not just an Empty folder finder – it is a complete disk analysis app.

List Empty Folders & Files

List Empty Folders & Files

List of top 5 ways to find empty folders and files:

  1. Find Empty Folders (zero sizes)
  2. Find Empty Folders (zero items)
  3. Find Empty Files (zero sizes)
  4. Finding empty folders using File Explorer in Windows
  5. Find Zero Size Files with File Explorer
  6. Search blank files from the command line in Windows

1. Find Empty Folders (zero sizes)

Sometimes even if a folder is not empty it can be useless. This is the case when a folder contains empty folders or files. That is why finding folders with zero size could sometimes be more useful than finding folders with no items inside.

Steps to find empty folders with zero size:

  1. Click “Scan folder” or “Scan drive” to choose where to search for empty folders.
  2. On the toolbar click “Report Type” and choose “Empty->Folders (zero size)”.
  3. Review the list of all the folders with zero sizes.

This report will list all the empty folders inside the currently selected drive or folder. It displays zero-size folders so if there are only empty folders inside a folder or it contains empty files it will still be displayed as empty. To view all the empty folders inside another folder or drive just click on it in the folders list. The empty folders in that new location will be displayed instantly. You do not need to scan your folders again.

2. Find Empty Folders (zero items)

Unlike the zero-size empty folder report, this one looks for zero files and sub-folders. Therefore if a folder contains items even if they are empty folders or files with zero size it will not be listed.

Steps to find empty folders with zero items inside:

  1. To start the search choose a folder, drive, or network share.
  2. On the toolbar select “Empty->Folders (zero items)” from the reports
  3. Review the list of folders that do not contain any items

If you need to analyze another location – just click on it. The empty folders inside it will be listed instantly.

3. Find Empty Files (zero sizes)

The empty files report has only one variation as the files can not contain other files or folders. Therefore, they are either empty or not.

Steps to find Empty Files (zero sizes):

  1. Choose a folder, drive, or network location to search for empty files and start the scan.
  2. On the toolbar select “Empty->Files (zero sizes)”.
  3. Review the list of all the empty folders inside the selected folder or drive.

Finding unoccupied folders and bare useless files is extremely easy using the free Folder Size app. On top of that, you do not need to re-scan whenever you want to search another folder or drive.

4. Finding empty folders using File Explorer in Windows

Here’s a step-by-step guide for finding empty folders using Windows Explorer:

1. Open File Explorer:

Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E or clicking on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar.

2. Navigate to the Target Directory:

Use the left sidebar or browse through drives to navigate to the directory where you want to find empty folders.

3. Initiate the Search:

In the search bar at the top-right corner, type:
kind:folder size:empty
Press Enter.

4. Review the Results:

File Explorer will display a list of folders that meet the specified criteria (empty folders in this case).

5. Handle Empty Folders:

Review the list of empty folders.
You can either delete them directly from File Explorer or take other actions based on your needs.

5. Finding Zero Size Files with File Explorer

If you’re looking to identify and manage empty files within a specific directory using Windows File Explorer, the process is straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer:

Launch File Explorer either by clicking on its icon in the taskbar or pressing Win + E.

2. Navigate to the Target Directory:

Use the left sidebar or browse through your drives to locate the directory where you want to search for empty files.

3. Initiate the Search:

At the top-right corner of File Explorer, you’ll find a search bar. Here, type size:0 and press Enter.

4. Review the Search Results:

File Explorer will now display a list of files with a size of 0 bytes, indicating that they are empty.

5. Handle Empty Files:

Review the list and take appropriate actions based on your needs. You might choose to delete these empty files or perform other tasks as necessary.

By using the search term size:0, you are instructing File Explorer to filter and display files with a size of 0 bytes, effectively identifying and allowing you to manage empty files in the selected directory. This simple yet effective method can streamline your file management process within the Windows environment.

6. Search blank files from the command line in Windows

To find empty files from the command line in Windows, you can use the dir command with specific parameters. Here are the steps:

1. Open Command Prompt:

Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.

2. Navigate to the Target Directory:

Use the cd command to navigate to the directory where you want to search for empty files.
cd path\to\your\directory

3. Run the dir Command:

Execute the following command to list files with a size of 0 bytes.

dir /A:-D /B /S | find "0 File(s)"

  • /A:-D excludes directories from the list.
  • /B provides a bare format with only file names.
  • /S searches through subdirectories.
  • find “0 File(s)” filters out directories and shows only files with a size of 0 bytes.

4. Review the Results:

The command will display a list of empty files in the specified directory and its subdirectories.

5. Handle Empty Files:

Based on your requirements, you can delete these empty files or perform other necessary actions.

Using this command-line approach allows you to efficiently identify and manage empty files within a given directory structure. Adjust the path in the cd command and the subsequent dir command as needed for your specific use case.

Is it Safe to Delete Empty Folder or Empty Files?

Generally, an empty folder or file is safe to delete as it contains no data. In some cases, though they may be deliberately created and needed by an application. For example, a logs folder may have been created during installation by an application.  Such a folder could stay empty until an error occurs and the application needs to write in it. Nevertheless, if the application does not check if the folder exists it may cause an error or a crash if you have deleted it.

With that said it is good to pay attention to the files and folders that you delete even if they are empty. Obviously, you can not lose data by deleting unoccupied folders or blank files, but you may cause errors in applications. Of course, you can re-install an application to fix such errors if that happens.

Usually, deserted folders are projects, data, logs, or others. In brief, those are left behind after uninstalling poor applications and are safe to delete. You should carefully inspect them before removal though.

Overall it is a good practice to find empty folders and files and remove them. Undoubtedly, the fewer unused files and folders you have the better your system will run. This is especially true for tools like Windows Search and others that need to process all your files and folders.

Folder Size Reports – Largest Files & Largest Folder

The largest files and largest folders reports were limited to 50 items. We have increased this limit to 100 items per report. The new limit applies also to the oldest and newest file reports, and find longest paths report too. The new empty folders and file reports are not limited. They will list all the items inside a folder, drive, or network.

This new release of the application includes also some small fixes and improvements.  The startup time of the application was not slow, but we have cleaned some code to make it even faster.

Finding empty folders and files and listing the largest files and folders are just a few of the many features of this great free tool.

This tool has a free version that you can download here: Folder Size

Use the buttons at the left to share this detailed article about the best ways to find empty files and folders with your friends and family – they will thank you.

11 thoughts on “Top 6 Ways to Find Empty Folders & Files in Windows

  1. JohnDoe47

    Great article! I never realized how much clutter empty folders and files could create. The step-by-step guide for using File Explorer and the command line is super helpful. Folder Size is a game-changer – found some massive files I didn’t even know existed. Thumbs up!

  2. Pingback: Find Long Paths & Long File Names

  3. DigitalNomadExplorer

    I’m constantly on the move, and maintaining a clutter-free system is crucial for my work. This article, particularly the File Explorer guide, is a gem for someone like me who values simplicity. The emphasis on safety before deletion is reassuring, and the insights about Folder Size have convinced me to give it a shot. Disk analysis on the go is a feature I didn’t know I needed until now. This article has made my digital nomad life a tad bit more organized – thank you!

  4. SysAdminPro

    As a system admin, this article is a goldmine. The command-line instructions are on point, and the emphasis on safety before deletion is crucial. Folder Size is now part of my toolkit for maintaining server efficiency. Much appreciated!

  5. TechGeek21

    Appreciate the technical details! The command-line approach is exactly what I needed. And Folder Size – wow! It’s not just an empty folder finder; it’s like a hidden gem for disk analysis. Thanks for shedding light on these efficient methods.

  6. OrganizedUser88

    Finally, a straightforward guide to deal with clutter! The File Explorer search method is so easy to follow, and the caution about not blindly deleting folders is a good reminder. Upgraded my Folder Size app too – love the new features!

  7. SystemAdminInsider

    Being in the system administration field, finding practical guides is always a boon. This article does justice to the technical nuances of managing empty folders and files. The command-line instructions are spot-on, and the emphasis on safety is something I’ll be reiterating to my team. Folder Size is a revelation – the tool’s ability to find the largest files is a feature I didn’t know I needed. The updates mentioned, especially the increased report limit, make it even more indispensable. Excellent work!

  8. CasualUser

    Had no idea empty folders could impact my system. This article made it simple to clean up – loved the File Explorer steps. And Folder Size? Fantastic tool! Cleaned up my laptop in no time. Thanks for sharing these insights.

  9. ITEnthusiast88

    This article has been a revelation for me! The comprehensive breakdown of technical methods to tackle empty folders and files in Windows is exactly what I’ve been searching for. The guide on using File Explorer and the command line is well-detailed, and the caution about deleting folders is a valuable reminder. Folder Size has become my go-to solution for disk analysis. The fact that it goes beyond mere empty folder detection to finding the largest files is a game-changer. Thanks for sharing this insightful piece!

  10. TechSavvyExplorer

    Kudos on a well-structured article! The step-by-step approach for both casual users and tech enthusiasts is commendable. Personally, the File Explorer guide was a breeze, but the real gem here is Folder Size. I’ve been looking for a tool that not only identifies empty folders but also provides a comprehensive disk analysis. The expanded limit on largest files and folders reports is a welcome addition. A must-read for anyone looking to optimize their Windows system.

  11. OrganizationalWhizKid

    What a fantastic resource! The article’s approach to decluttering and optimizing storage space is something every user should adopt. The File Explorer method is user-friendly, but Folder Size steals the show. Not only does it efficiently identify empty folders, but the ability to analyze the disk comprehensively is a big win. The caution about deleting folders is a responsible touch, ensuring users understand the potential impacts. This article has earned a bookmark in my browser for future reference.

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