Find large *folders* on hard disks

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 60
    Win10
       #1

    Find large *folders* on hard disks


    My hard disk is full. I need to empty some space. I'm trying to locate the large folders I can empty. However there seems no good way to locate these folders in windows. Trying to search via Win Explorer Search option: "size:gigantic kind:=folder", simply doesn't work. It gives me only files.
    Note that it must be that there IS some large folders: e.g., C: is a folder. And it is larger than "gigantic". (The search should be recursive of course).

    Help!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 60
    Win10
    Thread Starter
       #2

    I've now installed a 3rd party too Disk Savvy. It can do precisely the thing that Win 10 can't: show you directories and percentage they take out of your space, so that you can easily see which one you need to delete, trim, etc.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 60
    Win10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Questions:

    1- Is it safe to delete Downloaded Installations from the Windows folder?

    2- Is it safe to delete C:\Windows\Installer?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #4

    Instead of deleting them, move them to a flash drive. Then if problems occur (doubtful) you cna always put them back.

    What about getting a larger hard drive? If space is that tight you are going to be constantly fighting this battle so best to correct it now. You don't show how big your drive is in your System Specs.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 43,014
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #5

    Windirstat:
    Find large *folders* on hard disks-1.jpg


    Running out of Hard Drive space Solved - Windows 10 Forums
    Turn On or Off Automatically Free Up Space in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
    Clean Up Component Store (WinSxS folder) in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
    Freeing up space in Windows (C:) - Windows 10 Forums

    Use Ccleaner (free)

    Downloaded Installations
    - typically used where the uninstall sequence includes a repair option for a program you've installed.

    Windows\Installer - do not remove (It's normally hidden- for a good reason).
    Is it safe to delete from C:\Windows\Installer? - Super User
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 19,518
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #6

    There are some rudimentary but usually sufficient data in Settings > Storage:
    Find large *folders* on hard disks-image.png
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 7,909
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #7

    TreeSize Free is very useful for this.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 2,921
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       #8

    This is part from my Windows Notes file...

    • Clean Up Hard Drive Space
    1) Analyze and clean up the WinSxS folder
    a) Open cmd.exe as an Administrator and insert:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
    to see if a clean up is recommended
    b) Insert:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase
    to clean up the WinSxS folder

    2) Delete Old System Restore Points
    a) Open Ashampoo WinOptimizer
    b) Press Main menu
    c) Under General, press System Restore Manager
    d) Delete old System Restore points

    3) Use PatchCleaner

    4) Use Disk Cleanup
    a) Search for, and open, Disk Cleanup
    b) Select the Main Drive and press OK
    c) Press the 'Clean up system files' button
    d) Select the Main Drive again and press OK
    e) Select the following, press OK, then press Delete Files
    > Windows Update Cleanup
    > Windows Defender Antivirus
    > Windows upgrade log files
    > Downloaded Program Files
    > Temporary Internet Files
    > DirectX Shader Cache
    > Delivery Optimization Files
    > Device driver packages
    > Temporary files
    > Thumbnails
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7,909
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #9

    pepanee said:
    This is part from my Windows Notes file...

    • Clean Up Hard Drive Space
    1) Analyze and clean up the WinSxS folder
    a) Open cmd.exe as an Administrator and insert:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
    to see if a clean up is recommended
    b) Insert:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase
    to clean up the WinSxS folder

    2) Delete Old System Restore Points
    a) Open Ashampoo WinOptimizer
    b) Press Main menu
    c) Under General, press System Restore Manager
    d) Delete old System Restore points

    3) Use PatchCleaner

    4) Use Disk Cleanup
    a) Search for, and open, Disk Cleanup
    b) Select the Main Drive and press OK
    c) Press the 'Clean up system files' button
    d) Select the Main Drive again and press OK
    e) Select the following, press OK, then press Delete Files
    > Windows Update Cleanup
    > Windows Defender Antivirus
    > Windows upgrade log files
    > Downloaded Program Files
    > Temporary Internet Files
    > DirectX Shader Cache
    > Delivery Optimization Files
    > Device driver packages
    > Temporary files
    > Thumbnails
    You can also use CCleaner to delete old restore points. Wise Disk Cleaner is useful but use with care. Driver Store Explorer is useful for finding and deleting old drivers - some e.g. video drivers can be very large.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
       #10

    Directory Report finds large folders
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:46.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums