How to Check what files are taking up space on Windows 11

In this guide, I will be showing you some steps on How to Check what files are taking up space on Windows 11. Please see how to extend System Drive Partition on Windows, and how to Hide or Remove Search Button from Windows 10 Taskbar. Sometimes you may seem not to understand what is going on with your system space. A couple of minutes or hours ago you were left with enough space but suddenly you discover that the space is gone, and you are left with little or no space to work.

Neither did you install or copy a large file to your system, but the free space is gone. So what can you do to know what files are taking up space on your system? Here is a YouTube video on how to free up space on your Windows PC.

WinDirStat is a disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for various versions of Microsoft Windows.

If you are looking for an alternative for Linux, you are looking for KDirStat (apt-get install kdirstat or apt-get install k4dirstat on Debian-derivatives) or QDirStat and for MacOS X it would be Disk Inventory X or GrandPerspective.

You may wish to read these interesting articles on How to Compact Virtual Hard Disks how to Fix unable to Extend Volume on Windows protected by BitLocker and How to Increase Disk Size in Hyper-V

Determine Disk Utilization

Follow these steps on How to Check what files are taking up space on Windows 11

1: You can search for Settings on the Search box to open your Windows Settings.

2. Click on System and on the System section click Storage. Please see Great details on the VMware Tech Showcase

3. You will now be able to see what’s taking up space on your local C drive. Click the Show More Categories option and get a glimpse of others things that may be eating up your free space. Like the temporary files, apps, documents, pictures, and more.

After checking this you will have the knowledge of the exact file or app that is eating up the free space on your system and you will be able to delete the file or uninstall the app.

What is taking up space using WinDirStat

Follow these steps on How to check what files are taking up space using WinDirStat. Please see How to Check and Reset Network Data Usage in Windows 11, Windows Disk Cleanup: Creating Shortcut & Perform Clean-up. See how to Capture and Record your Screen in Windows 10 with Xbox Game Bar.

WinDirStat is an advanced hard drive usage statistic analyzer or viewer that you can use to see what files are taking the most space on your system. But note that even though it always works it is a third-party tool and can be used at your own risk.

Run Command Prompt as administrator

Enter the following command to install the WinDirStat app on Windows 11.

winget install WinDirStat.WinDirStat

3. Launch the application by typing WinDirStat into the search box. Please see How to download, install and activate, and uninstall IBM SPSS Statistics.

Immediately the application opens it will scan all your disks and analyze everything presently on your disk and with this.

You can know what is taking space on your drive. Also, see Network statistics: How to save netstat command output to a text.

I hope you found this blog post on how to Check what files are taking up space on Windows 11 Interesting and helpful. In case you have any questions do not hesitate to ask in the comment section.