How to Check Disk Space in Windows 10 - A Step-by-Step Guide for 2024

Updated By

Linda 

Authored By

Tracy King 

Last Updated on April 19, 2024

Checking your disk space in Windows 10 or 11 is essential for maintaining your computer's performance and preventing issues like slow processing speeds or system crashes. It helps you keep track of your overall storage capacity, ensuring that you have enough room for backups and storing important information.

In this article, we'll discuss when to check disk space and introduce two methods to help you monitor your storage effortlessly. Follow along with these guides and extra tips to manage and check disk space in Windows 10.

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How to Check Disk Space on Windows 10: 2 Best Free Ways

We recommend two free methods to effectively check your disk space on Windows 10:

1. Using a Disk Space Analyzer — GParted

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional provides Windows users with a powerful and free disk space analyzer – Disk Space Analyzer. You can quickly check and optimize the disk space by deleting or moving old files.

Please follow this step-by-step guide to check the disk space on your Windows device using the Partition Master tool:

Step 1: Run AOMEI Partition Assistant, then click on the "Tools" tab, and under "All Tools," download and launch "Space Analyzer."

Step 2: In the Disk Analyzer window, select the disk you want to analyze and click on Analyze in the top-right corner.

Click Analyze Disk Space.

Step 3: Wait for a moment, and you will see the detailed data. You can click on Files/Folders to view different types of data, and click the small folder icon to view more information inside the file.

The software also includes extra features like a file shredder, formatter, and app mover. These tools help you delete, clean up, and optimize your storage drives for more space and better performance.

What are you waiting for? Download Partition Master and check your disk space now.

2. Run a Disk Space Usage Check on Windows 11/10 Using CMD

Using the Command Prompt terminal in Windows can help you get a detailed look at your storage drives, but the process isn't exactly user-friendly, and it requires that you follow each step carefully.

To check disk space using the Command Prompt (CMD), follow these steps:

Step 1: Press "Windows + R," type "cmd" in the menu, and press Enter.

Step 2: Type the following command and press the “Enter” key to view a summary of your disk space usage.

This command is used to query the size, free space, and name (caption) of all logical disks on a computer using the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC).

Check disk space via cmd

This will create a text file on your C drive that you can open to see all the folder paths in detail.

Warning: You will still have to manually clean up or delete unneeded files to free up space, but tools like Partition Master automate the process.

Bonus Tip: How to Properly Manage and Utilize Disk Space in Windows 10

Efficient use of your storage drive ensures that your Windows desktop or laptop runs smoothly and allows for unlimited storage of important information and backups.

To manage and utilize your disk space more efficiently on a Windows 10/11 computer, consider the following suggestions: 1. Clean up temporary files: Windows automatically creates and stores temporary files that can take up space and are often no longer needed. Use "Settings" > "System" > "Storage" > "Clean Now" to delete unnecessary files. 2. Check for large files: Use "Settings" > "System" > "Storage" > "View storage usage by app" to find and remove files or programs that occupy a significant amount of space. 3. Manage apps: Review unused applications and uninstall them through "Settings" > "Apps" > "Apps & features." 4. Compress files: Utilize the "Compress Folder" feature in Windows' built-in "File Explorer" to compress large files or folders to save space. 5. Use cloud storage: Consider storing infrequently used but important files on OneDrive or other cloud storage services to reduce local disk usage. 6. Run Disk Cleanup: Search for "Disk Cleanup" from the Start menu, select the drive you want to clean, and let the system calculate the available space to free up. 7. Enable Storage Sense: Turn on "Storage Sense" in "Settings" > "System" > "Storage"; this feature will automatically clean up temporary files and old Windows versions periodically. 8. Defragment the disk: While modern SSDs do not require defragmentation, if you're using a traditional HDD, occasionally run the "Defragment and Optimize Drives" tool to optimize storage layout. 9. Manage the Downloads folder: Regularly clean out the "Downloads" folder, deleting files that are no longer needed. 10. Uninstall pre-installed software: Many new devices come with unnecessary pre-installed apps. You can uninstall them through "Settings" > "Apps" > "Apps & features." By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage your disk space and maintain optimal performance in your Windows 10/11 system.

• Free up disk space by removing unnecessary files
• Uninstall unused programs with a disk cleanup tool
• Store the operating system and personal files on separate partitions
• Migrate the operating system and programs to an SSD or new hard drive
• Remove all temporary cache files
• Delete the "Windows.old" folder on the "C" drive
• Use cloud storage for storing and backing up important files

AOMEI Partition Assistant offers additional features to help you efficiently manage and make the most of your disk space in Windows 10/11. Feel free to download and try this software.

When should I check disk space on Windows 10?

Checking disk space allows you to see how much storage is available on your computer's hard drive. Monitoring your disk space is also essential for ensuring that your system runs smoothly and efficiently.

When to Check Disk Space:

Some common scenarios that might indicate the need to check the disk space on a Windows 10 computer include:

• The computer is running slowly
• Games are running or loading slower than usual
• The system crashes frequently
• Warnings about low disk space
• Installing new software or updates

How often should I check my disk space?

The experts at Partition Master recommend the following:

• ✔️ For personal computers, we recommend checking disk space every 1-3 months.
• ✔️ For work computers or gaming PCs, it's advised to check disk space every half a month or once a month.

But if you're unsure how to check your disk space on Windows 10 or 11, don't worry! Follow these steps to view your storage today.

Conclusions

In conclusion, knowing how to check and manage disk space in Windows 10 is crucial for maintaining your computer's performance. It helps you understand how your hard drive works and ensures its longevity.

By employing the methods and tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your system remains efficient and responsive. Remember to regularly check your disk space and make the most of the available tools to optimize storage usage.

MiniTool Partition Wizard is a user-friendly tool that can help you with that. Download it and manage your drives effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions About Checking Disk Space on Windows 10 1. **How do I check disk space in Windows 10?** To view disk space in Windows 10, follow these steps: - Click the "Start" button. - Select "Settings" (the gear icon). - Go to "System." - Choose "Storage." - Here, you'll see detailed information about each disk, including total space, used space, and available space. 2. **What if I run out of disk space?** If your disk space is running low, try these options: - Delete unnecessary files and programs. - Clean up temporary files and system caches. - Move files to an external storage device or cloud storage. - Use the "Storage Sense" feature to automatically clean up old files. - Consider upgrading to a larger capacity hard drive or using a Solid State Drive (SSD). 3. **What is the "Disk Cleanup" tool?** "Disk Cleanup" is a built-in Windows utility that finds and deletes files that are no longer needed, such as temporary files, system logs, and downloaded files, to free up disk space. 4. **How do I run Disk Cleanup?** - Press `Win + S` to open the search box. - Type "Disk Cleanup," then click the "Disk Cleanup" app in the results. - Select the drive you want to clean up and click "OK." - Check the file types you want to delete in the list that appears, then click "OK." - Finally, click "Delete Files" to confirm the cleanup. 5. **How do I check for disk fragmentation?** Windows 10 typically manages disk fragmentation automatically, but you can manually run the "Defragment and Optimize Drives" tool to optimize hard drive performance. However, it's not recommended to defragment SSDs, as it may shorten their lifespan. - Search for "Defragment and Optimize Drives," then open the tool. - Select the drive you want to analyze and click "Analyze Disk." - If analysis indicates optimization is needed, click "Optimize." 6. **How can I increase disk space?** - Extend a partition: Merge unallocated space with an existing partition if possible. - Create a new partition: If there's extra space, create a new partition. - Use an external hard drive or USB drive. - Utilize cloud storage services like OneDrive or Google Drive. 7. **What is Storage Sense in Windows 10?** "Storage Sense" is an automatic cleaning feature that helps periodically remove temporary files, old Windows installations, and other unnecessary files to save disk space. 8. **How do I enable Storage Sense?** - Go to "Settings" > "System" > "Storage." - Under "Storage Sense," toggle the switch to turn it on. - Configure cleaning settings as desired, such as the frequency of cleanups and file types to delete. These are some common questions and answers about checking disk space on Windows 10. If you have more queries, feel free to ask.

And that's it, folks! You should now be able to check your disk space on Windows 10 and 11 with confidence.

However, if you have more questions about checking disk space in Windows 10/11 or other Windows versions, refer to the answers to these common queries:

1. How often should I check my Windows disk space?

There's no hard and fast rule about how often you should check your disk space, but it's a good idea to do so at least once a month or whenever you're experiencing performance issues.

This will help optimize your drive's performance and keep it in good condition. Also, make sure to delete any unnecessary files or unrecognized folders to clear out any malware or spyware that could be infecting your drive or computer.

2. What is WinDirStat, and what alternatives are available?

WinDirStat is a popular disk space analyzer that visualizes disk usage. Some alternatives include TreeSize Free, SpaceSniffer, and the Partition Master mentioned in this article.

I highly recommend using the tool Partition Master, which is very user-friendly for beginners and allows you to check your storage space with just a few clicks. Additionally, it offers extra features to help optimize your disk space and performance.

How can I see which folders are taking up space in Windows 10?

To see which folders are taking up space on your disk in Windows 10 or 11, you can use File Explorer, the Disk Cleanup tool, or third-party applications like Partition Master. This will help you identify and potentially remove large files and folders that might be consuming significant disk space.

You can also uninstall apps and delete files to keep your hard drive running smoothly over the long term.