How to Locate Large Files on Windows 10 | Quick Guide?

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Linda 

Updated on April 19, 2024

Most users have run into low storage space issues on their Windows 10 PCs. The fastest way to tackle this problem is to locate large files on Windows 10 and get rid of those that aren't needed anymore. Luckily, you've got this tool to help with that. It offers two built-in Windows utilities to find huge files. Alternatively, you can use a powerful disk analyzer on your computer to detect and pinpoint large files and folders on your Windows 10 machine. Plus, we'll show you a reliable method to free up storage space on Windows 10.

How to Locate Large Files on Windows 10 - 3 Methods

In this section, you'll go through the step-by-step tutorials on locating large files using tools like Partition Master, File Explorer, and CMD.

Before we dive into the details, let's share this full tutorial with those wondering what's taking up space on Windows 10:

Way 1: Professional File Analyzer - Partition Master Tool

The tools Partition Master Professional tool can perform an advanced search to locate large files on Windows 10. It also has the capability to detect and display hidden files. In comparison to Windows-based utilities, this software distinguishes itself with its user-friendly and efficient solutions for various storage space problems. Moreover, it is highly compatible with all Windows operating systems.

Steps to locate large files on Windows 10: 1. Open File Explorer: Click on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar or press the Windows key + E on your keyboard. 2. Navigate to the drive you want to search: By default, it opens to the "This PC" view. Select the drive (C:, D:, etc.) where you want to search for large files. 3. Click on the search bar: It's located in the top-right corner of the File Explorer window. 4. Enter search parameters: Type the following search query in the search bar: - `size:>1GB` for files larger than 1 GB - `size:>500MB` for files larger than 500 MB - Adjust the size value as needed to find files within your desired range. 5. Press Enter: The search will start, and it may take some time depending on the size of your drive and the number of files. 6. Sort the results: Once the search is complete, click on "Size" in the "Sort by" section to sort the files by their size in descending order. This way, the largest files will appear at the top. 7. Review and manage large files: You can now examine the listed files, decide which ones you no longer need, and delete or move them to free up space. 8. Advanced search options: If you need more control over your search, click on "Search Tools" in the top menu, then "Advanced options." Here, you can specify file types, date modified, and other attributes to refine your search further.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and turn to Tools. Find and Download Space Analyzer beneath Frequently Used Tools.

Step 2. In the Space Analyzer pop-up window, select the target disk to be analyzed and click Analyze in the upper right corner.

Click Analyze.

Step 3. Wait a moment, and you'll see the detailed data. Click on Folder/File to view different data categories, and click the small folder icon to see more details within the file.

Some Noble Features of Partition Master Tool

In addition to locating large files on Windows, Partition Master can also help you with the following situations:

• Solve low disk space with nothing to delete.
• Fix low disk space issue in Windows 11/10/8/7.
• Increase the C drive space in Windows operating system.
• Completely Find Large Files on Windows 11

This program ensures hassle-free disk space analysis and cleanup. Download it to discover more powerful features:

Way 2. Find Large Files Using File Explorer

Windows File Explorer is used to manage all files and folders on your computer, making it straightforward to locate large files. Let's explore how to do this:

**Phase 1. Manually Unhide Files**

Step 1. In the Search box, type and choose Show Hidden Files and Folders.

Step 2. When the File Explorer Options window opens, go to the "View" tab and select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" under Hidden files and folders.

Select the **Show hidden files** option:

Step 3. Click "OK" to confirm the change.

**Phase 2. Filter Large Files**

< strong >Step 1. In File Explorer's left pane, select "This PC," choose the local C drive, and click the search box to activate the hidden search tool.

Step 2. In this tab, choose "Search" > "Size" > "Gigantic" to filter large files. (You can also input size># GB to search for the specific file you want.)

Step 3. When the search results are displayed, right-click in any blank space and choose “Sort by” > “Size” > “Descending.”

For more detailed information, you can refer to the article below to learn the complete process of removing large files on Windows 10:

Locate, Remove, and Delete Large Files in Windows

By following this article, you can learn a detailed tutorial on how to locate and remove large files in Windows.

Way 3: Filter Large Files using Command Prompt

The last method for finding large files on your Windows 10 is by running command lines. To do this, please carefully follow the instructions below:

< strong >Step 1. < /strong> Press the "Windows + R" keys to open the < strong >Run < /strong >box. Then, type < strong >cmd < /strong >into it and press the "Enter" key to launch the Command Prompt.

Step 2. Enter the following commands and press the Enter key:

Here are the translations of the given language snippets into English: 1. `
• cd C:\
` Translation: `
• Change directory to C:\
` 2. `
• FORFILES /S /C "cmd /c if @fsize GTR 1048576 echo @path.txt"
` Translation: `
• Forfiles recursively (-S) in the current directory and execute the command "cmd /c" to check if the file size (@fsize) is greater than 1048576 bytes. If true, print the file path (@path.txt).
` These commands are specific to the Windows command prompt (CMD) and are used for navigating directories and searching files based on certain criteria.

Run the following commands to locate large files:

Step 3. The CMD will then create a "LargeFilesList" text file that you can search and review in File Explorer.

After finding the unused large files and folders, you can free up the hard drive space for better computer performance.

Conclusion

In summary, this step-by-step guide presents three methods to locate large files on Windows 10. Furthermore, it provides a valuable approach to delete unnecessary large files and free up space. With the powerful tool Partition Master, you can handle all tasks concerning Windows 10 disk space management. Download this software now to instantly find all large files:

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Find Large Files on Windows 10

Upon reading the above sections, you might have learned how to locate large files on Windows 10. Now, let's explore some additional questions for further information:

1. How do I locate large files on my D drive?

To check what is taking up space on the D drive, you can use tools like Partition Master, which can scan your disk and provide an extensive overview:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and go to “Disk Management”. Install the “Space Analyzer” and launch it.

Step 2. Choose the D drive from the menu and click "Analyze" to begin.

Step 3. Wait patiently, and you will see the detailed data. To check more details, you can select "Folder/File."

For more information, check out: Further Reading: How to Find What's Taking Up Space on Your SSD

2. How can I find hidden files on my computer?

If your computer is running low on space but isn't showing any visible files, you should check for any hidden files on your PC. Here's how to do it:

1. Press the "Windows + E" keys to launch "File Explorer." 2. Navigate to "View" > "Options" > "Change folders and search options." This will open a Folder Options window. 3. Proceed to the "View" tab and select "Show hidden files and folders."

Locating junk files on Windows 10 is straightforward using the built-in "Disk Cleanup" utility:

Step 1. Type "disk cleanup" in the Taskbar search box.

Step 2. In this utility, locate the drive you want to free up, then click "OK."

Step 3. Under Files to delete, choose and check the file you want to get rid of, then tap "OK."