5 Ways to Show Folder Sizes in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7

Follow these instructions to easily show folder sizes in Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7. Display folder sizes in File Explorer and locate missing disk space easily. View the sizes of all directories and sort them by size.

List of top 5 ways to show folder sizes in Windows:

1. Show Folder Sizes in File Explorer
2. View Folder Size From Folder Properties
3. Show Folder Size From the Command Line
4. Display Folder Sizes Using PowerShell
5. Show All Folder Sizes Using a Free Disk Analysis App
6. Conclusion
7. Show Folder Size Windows FAQ

Why isn’t the folder size visible in File Explorer? Can I display folder size in Windows File Explorer? You can utilize the 5 methods listed below to view folder sizes in Windows.

Show Folder Sizes in File Explorer

Displaying folder size information in File Explorer folder tips is a valuable feature that enhances user productivity by providing quick insights into the storage space usage of folders without the need to open properties or third-party software. Here’s a detailed guide on how to show folder sizes tooltips.

Enable Folder Size Information:

1. 1. Open Windows File Explorer.
   2. Navigate to the “View” tab on the ribbon menu.
   3. Click on “Options” located on the right side of the ribbon.
   4. In the Folder Options dialog box, switch to the “View” tab.
   5. Scroll down and locate the checkbox labeled “Display file size information in folder tips.“
   6. Check the box to enable this feature and then click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.

View Folder Size Information:

1. 1. Once enabled, navigate to a folder in File Explorer.
   2. Hover your mouse cursor over the folder icon, and after a moment, a tooltip will appear.
   3. The tooltip will display information about the folder, including its size.
   4. The folder size information provided in the tooltip is typically displayed in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, or gigabytes, depending on the folder’s size.

Advantages

1. • Instant Insight: Displaying folder size information in folder tips provides instant insights into the storage space usage of folders, allowing users to quickly identify large or space-consuming folders.
   • Efficient Workflow: With this feature enabled, users can assess folder sizes without interrupting their workflow by avoiding the need to open properties or launch third-party applications.
   • No Additional Software: Unlike some other methods that require the use of third-party software or scripts, displaying folder size information in folder tips is a built-in feature of Windows File Explorer, eliminating the need for additional software installations.

Disadvantages

• • Limited Customization: While folder tips provide basic folder size information, they may lack customization options and detailed breakdowns available in third-party software or scripts.
  • Tooltip Clutter: Depending on your folder structure and browsing habits, the constant display of tooltips may clutter the interface, especially if you frequently hover over folders while navigating File Explorer.
  • Tooltip Delay: In some cases, there may be a slight delay before the tooltip appears when hovering over a folder, which could affect workflow efficiency for some users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, enabling folder size information in File Explorer folder tips is a convenient way to quickly assess the storage space usage of folders without the need for additional software or complex procedures. By leveraging this feature, users can streamline their workflow and make more informed decisions when managing disk space in Windows File Explorer.

View Folder Size From Folder Properties

Steps to view folder sizes from File Explorer properties menu:

1. Right-click on the folder you want to inspect.
2. Select “Properties” from the context menu.
3. In the Properties dialog box, navigate to the “General” tab.
4. The size of the folder, including its contents, will be displayed.

The screenshot below lists the size of the “MISC DOCS” folder that I have right-clicked and have chosen “Properties”.

Advantages:

• Simple and Quick: Accessing folder properties is straightforward and can be done with just a few clicks.
• Detailed Information: The Properties dialog box provides additional information about the folder, such as its location, creation date, and attributes.
• No Third-party Software Required: Unlike some other methods, such as using third-party software or command-line tools, accessing folder properties is built into Windows and does not require any additional software installations.

Disadvantages:

• Limited Customization: While you can view basic information about the folder, such as its size, the Properties dialog box does not offer advanced customization options or detailed breakdowns of the contents.
• Manual Process: Viewing folder properties for multiple folders or monitoring changes over time can be time-consuming as it requires manual intervention for each folder.
• Limited Compatibility: While this method works well for folders on local drives, it may not provide accurate information for network or cloud-based folders, depending on the configuration.

Show Folder Size From the Command Line

Using Command Prompt to check the size of a folder and its contents offers a flexible and powerful method for users who prefer command-line interfaces or need to automate tasks. Here’s a detailed explanation of how to do it, along with some examples:

To show folder sizes from Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt:
   • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
   • Type “cmd” and press Enter, or search for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu and click on it to open.
2. Navigate to the Directory:
   • Use the cd command followed by the path of the directory containing the folder whose size you want to check.
   • For example, if the folder is located in the “Documents” directory on your C drive, you would type: cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents
   • Replace “YourUsername” with your actual username.
3. Use the dir /s Command:
   • Once you’ve navigated to the correct directory, type the following command:dir /s FolderName
   • Replace “FolderName” with the name of the folder you want to check.
4. View the Folder Size:
   • After pressing Enter, Command Prompt will list all the files and subdirectories within the specified folder, along with their sizes.
   • At the end of the output, Command Prompt will display the total size of the folder and its contents.

Show Folder Sizes From Command Line Example

Suppose you want to check the size of a folder named “Photos” located in the “Pictures” directory of your user profile. Here’s how you would do it:

1. Open Command Prompt.
2. Navigate to the “Pictures” directory using the cd command:cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Pictures
3. Type the following command to check the size of the “Photos” folder:dir /s Photos

Command Prompt will then display a detailed list of files and subdirectories within the “Photos” folder, along with their respective sizes. Finally, it will provide the total size of the “Photos” folder and its contents.

Advantages:

• Powerful and Scriptable: Command Prompt offers powerful scripting capabilities, allowing users to automate tasks and perform advanced operations on files and directories.
• Quick Access: Users familiar with the command-line interface can quickly check folder sizes without the need for graphical user interfaces or third-party software.
• Detailed Information: The dir /s command provides detailed information about the folder’s contents, including file sizes, modification dates, and attributes.

Disadvantages:

• Steep Learning Curve: Command Prompt commands may be unfamiliar to users who are not comfortable with the command-line interface, requiring a learning curve to master.
• Limited Graphical Representation: Unlike graphical file explorers, Command Prompt does not provide visual representations of folder sizes, which may make it less intuitive for some users.
• Risk of Mistakes: Due to the nature of command-line interfaces, there is a risk of accidentally executing commands that can modify or delete files if not used carefully.

In summary, using Command Prompt to check folder sizes offers a versatile and efficient method for users who prefer command-line interfaces or need to automate tasks. While it may require some familiarity with command-line syntax, it provides detailed information and can be a valuable tool in a user’s toolkit for managing files and directories.

Display Folder Sizes Using PowerShell

Displaying folder sizes using PowerShell provides a robust and flexible approach for users who prefer command-line environments or need to perform bulk operations efficiently. PowerShell, with its scripting capabilities and integration with Windows systems, offers powerful tools for managing files and folders. Here’s a detailed guide on how to display folder sizes using PowerShell, along with its advantages and disadvantages:

1. Open PowerShell:

• Press the Windows key + X and select “Windows PowerShell” from the menu, or search for “PowerShell” in the Start menu and click on it to open.

2. Navigate to the Directory:

• Use the cd (Change Directory) command followed by the path of the directory containing the folder whose size you want to check.
• For example, if the folder is located in the “Documents” directory on your C drive, you would type: cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents
• Replace “YourUsername” with your actual username.

3. Use the Get-ChildItem Cmdlet:

• Once you’re in the correct directory, you can use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet to retrieve information about the folder and its contents.
• Type the following command: Get-ChildItem -Directory -Recurse | Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum

4. View the Folder Size:

• PowerShell will calculate the total size of the folder and its contents and display it in bytes.
• You can format the output to display the size in a more readable format, such as kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), or gigabytes (GB).

How to Show Folder Sizes in PowerShell Example

Suppose you want to check the size of a folder named “Photos” located in the “Pictures” directory of your user profile. Here’s how you would do it in PowerShell:

1. 1. Open PowerShell.
   2. Navigate to the “Pictures” directory: cd C:\Users\YourUsername\Pictures
   3. Type the following command to check the size of the “Photos” folder:Get-ChildItem -Directory -Recurse | Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum

PowerShell will then calculate the total size of the “Photos” folder and its contents and display it in bytes.

Advantages:

• Scripting Capabilities: PowerShell offers powerful scripting capabilities, allowing users to automate tasks and perform complex operations on files and folders.
• Integration with Windows: PowerShell is tightly integrated with Windows systems, making it a convenient tool for managing files and folders in a Windows environment.
• Detailed Information: The Get-ChildItem cmdlet provides detailed information about the folder’s contents, including file sizes, modification dates, and attributes.
• Flexibility: PowerShell allows users to customize and format the output according to their preferences, providing flexibility in displaying folder sizes.

Disadvantages:

• Learning Curve: PowerShell commands may be unfamiliar to users who are not comfortable with command-line interfaces, requiring a learning curve to master.
• Potential for Mistakes: Due to its scripting capabilities, there is a risk of accidentally executing commands that can modify or delete files if not used carefully.
• Less Intuitive: For users accustomed to graphical file explorers, PowerShell’s command-line interface may be less intuitive and require more effort to navigate.

In summary, using PowerShell to display folder sizes offers a powerful and flexible method for managing files and folders in a Windows environment. While it may require some familiarity with PowerShell commands, it provides detailed information and can be a valuable tool for users who prefer command-line interfaces or need to perform bulk operations efficiently.

Show All Folder Sizes Using a Free Disk Analysis App

Show folder sizes and locate missing disk space easily. Find the largest files and largest folders. Sort folders and files by size. Delete large unused files and folders and free up disk space. Visualize disk space distribution using pie or bar charts to easily spot space hogs. Print folders and file lists and print folder tree.

Your favorite Folder Size tool just got better. You could already show folder sizes and delete files and folders. This major update provides all the flexibility that you have in Windows Explorer. It adds the complete Windows Explorer context menu to Folder Size.

Folder Sizes – Copy, Cut, Paste, Delete, and Rename

In past releases of Folder Size, you could only delete files and folders. While this was sufficient to free up space, having Copy, Cut, Paste, and Rename features make it easier to reorganize files and folders. You can now use all those new features to rearrange folders and files.

Having Copy, Cut, and Paste options is great, but we have taken those features a step further. You can now Copy, Cut, and Paste from and to Windows Explorer. This means that you can now go to Windows Explorer and use the context menu to Copy an item and then go to Folder Size and use the context menu to paste it there. This is so flexible and convenient that, using Folder Size is like having a Windows Explorer with folder sizes.

Shell Context Menu in Folder Size

The shell context menu is the menu that is displayed when you right-click an item or empty space in Windows Explorer. We have integrated the entire Windows Explorer context menu in the latest version of Folder Size. You can easily understand that this will let you use all the features that you have inside Windows Explorer in Folder Size.

For example, you can use the shell context menu to create new folders and then copy or move items in them. You can use the third-party applications that have entries in it to manipulate files and folders. Such tools can extract or create archives, scan files and folders for viruses, play, view, or edit files, etc. Now you have all the flexibility of Windows Explorer inside Folder Size.

Monitor File System Changes and Update Folder Sizes Automatically

Another great new feature of Folder Size is the ability to monitor the file system changes. It will update the scan results automatically. This means that if you copy, cut, rename, delete, or move files using Windows Explorer the changes will be applied to the Folder Size results immediately. You no longer have to rescan the folders if you have modified the file system outside of the application.

While this is a great feature there are certain cases in which you wouldn’t want such changes to be applied automatically. For example, if you have loaded a project file that you have saved earlier you may not want its contents to be altered. That is why we have made this feature optional. Loading a saved project will automatically disable the feature. If you want to use it on a saved project, you can simply press the toolbar button to enable it.

Disabling the option for monitoring the file system changes, disables also the shell context menu. This is just a precaution as the loaded project may contain drives, folders, and files that do not exist on the local computer at all. Invoking the context menu on such missing items may cause issues. Nevertheless, if you load a project that you have saved from the local computer, you can simply use the toolbar button to enable the shell menu.

Show Folder Sizes Instantly – Without Rescan

The new feature for monitoring the file system changes has another great benefit. If you scan your drives and keep the application running, all the changes to the file system will be updated in Folder Size automatically. This means that you have up-to-date information about all folders and file sizes at any point in your work. All you need to do is to switch to the Folder Size application and take a look at the items that you are interested in.

The best part is that this has a ZERO impact on the performance of your system. Unlike other tools that install services or shell hooks, Folder Size uses native Windows features to detect modifications to the file system.

Folder Size Does Not Install Services

A service is an application that has no user interface and starts when Windows is started and works in the background to do tasks. Tools that use services are slowing down your system even if you are not using them. That is because the service that they have installed is working regardless if you are using the tool or not. The service is gathering information on files and folders at all times and the application that uses the service just requests that data when started.

Folder Size Does Not Install Shell Hooks

A shell hook can have an even worse performance impact on a system. A shell hook is similar to a service, but every file operation calls a function from the application that has installed the hook. If the hook is not developed properly it may cause huge performance issues. Another potential issue is that it may leak memory – use memory without freeing it properly. As such a hook is called for every file operation, even the smallest memory leak may deplete all the memory of the system in a short time.

Folder Size does not install services or shell hooks and you will never run into such issues.

Excessively Long File Path and Names Support

Many users are not aware of the fact that Windows has a limit of 260 characters for folder paths. This is the maximum count of characters for the folder plus the file name. Nevertheless, Windows Explorer does allow you to create longer paths. Unfortunately, they cause issues when accessed both in applications and in Windows itself.

Microsoft lifted this limit in newer Windows versions. They have not officially announced and enabled it yet though. In Windows 10 and later you can manually enable support for long paths. Nevertheless, we do not recommend using excessively long paths and file names. Folder Size supports long paths, but you may experience issues in many applications including Windows itself.

Conclusion

We have listed the top 5 ways to show folder sizes in Windows. In conclusion, when it comes to displaying folder sizes in Windows, the Folder Size app emerges as your top choice. It has intuitive interface, extensive features, and seamless integration with Windows Explorer. Therefore, that makes it the ideal tool for managing disk space and optimizing storage usage. Whether you’re a casual user seeking to free up space on your hard drive or a power user handling large volumes of data, Folder Size offers the perfect balance of functionality and ease of use. Best of all, it’s available as a free download, enabling you to take control of your storage space effortlessly. Say goodbye to the hassle of manually calculating folder sizes or navigating complex command-line interfaces. Download Folder Size today and start managing your storage space more efficiently.

Show Folder Size Windows FAQ

Q: How can I view the size of a folder in Windows File Explorer?
A: You can view the size of a folder in Windows File Explorer by right-clicking on the folder. Then select “Properties” from the context menu, and navigating to the “General” tab. As a result, the size of the folder, including its contents, will be displayed.

Q: Is there a way to quickly view folder sizes without opening Properties in File Explorer?
A: Yes, you can hover your mouse over the target folder in File Explorer. As a result, the folder size will be displayed in a tooltip.

Q: Can I use Command Prompt to check the size of a folder?
A: Yes, you can use Command Prompt to check the size of a folder. First open Command Prompt. Then navigate to the directory containing the folder using the “cd” command. Finally, type “dir /s” followed by the folder name to display the total size of the folder and its contents.

Q: Is PowerShell another option for displaying folder sizes?
A: Yes, PowerShell can also be used to display folder sizes. You can open PowerShell and navigate to the directory containing the folder. Then use commands such as “Get-ChildItem” to retrieve folder size information.

Q: Are there any third-party applications available for showing folder sizes in Windows?
A: Yes, there are several third-party applications available for displaying folder sizes in Windows. These applications often provide additional features and customization options beyond what is available through built-in Windows tools.

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