How to See Folder Size in Windows 10

Windows 10 does not calculate a total for each folder in File Explorer’s Size column. To check one folder quickly, hover over it for a tooltip or open its Properties dialog. To compare many folders and see which subfolders use the most space, use TreeSize Free. Windows Storage settings are useful for a broader view by drive and category.

Check one folder in File Explorer

Use the folder tooltip

1. Open File Explorer and browse to the folder.
2. Rest the pointer on the folder name or icon for a moment.
3. Read the tooltip’s Size and, when available, its file and subfolder counts.

This is the fastest check when the tooltip appears. If it does not show a size, or you need a value you can inspect more carefully, use Properties.

Use Properties for a precise check

1. In File Explorer, right-click the folder and choose Properties.
2. On the General tab, read Size. Windows calculates the contents, including nested folders.
3. Close the dialog with OK when you are done.

Size is the total length of the files. Size on disk is the space those files occupy on the drive, so the two numbers can differ because of allocation units, compression, or other file-system features. Properties is usually the best built-in choice for one folder.

See storage use by drive in Settings

Storage settings answer a different question: which categories are using space on a drive? They can help you narrow a full disk to apps, temporary files, documents, pictures, videos, or other content, but they do not provide a complete expandable tree for every arbitrary folder.

1. Open Start > Settings > System > Storage.
2. Select the system drive or choose Show more categories to reveal additional categories.
3. Open a category, such as Other, for the locations Windows lists there.
4. To inspect a different drive, open Advanced storage settings and select Storage used on other drives, then choose a drive. On some Windows 10 builds, the link is labeled View storage usage on other drives.

Microsoft describes this page as a category breakdown for connected drives. Use it to identify the general type of data occupying space; use Properties or a folder-scanning utility when you need a recursive folder total.

Compare nested folder sizes with TreeSize Free

For a large drive or a folder with many subfolders, TreeSize Free displays a directory tree with a size for each level. Get it from JAM Software’s official TreeSize Free page; the current download information lists Windows 10 64-bit compatibility. The free edition is listed for private, noncommercial use, so organizations should review the current license before installing it.

1. Install and open TreeSize Free.
2. Choose Select Directory, select the folder or drive to inspect, and start the scan.
3. When results appear, sort by Size and expand a folder to compare its nested folders. The scan can continue while results populate.

TreeSize distinguishes logical Size from Allocated space. On a system drive, protected locations or reserved Windows storage can make the scan total differ from the amount Settings reports. JAM Software notes that access restrictions can leave parts of a drive unscanned; elevated access may show more, but only scan folders you are authorized to inspect.

Why the Size column and Search can mislead

In File Explorer’s Details view, the Size column is populated for files, not with recursive totals for folders. Adding that column therefore does not turn Explorer into a folder-size report.

File Explorer search can still help find large files. Search within a location, then use Search Tools > Size or an Advanced Query Syntax filter such as size:>1GB. Search results are files that match the filter; Windows does not add up the contents of each parent folder. Results can also depend on the location searched and Windows Search indexing.

For the query syntax, see Microsoft’s Advanced Query Syntax reference.

Free space without deleting the wrong folder

Use a size report to decide what to review, not as a reason to remove unfamiliar system data. Move or back up personal videos, downloads, and project files before deleting them. For cleanup, review Windows’ temporary-file options or use Storage Sense, which can remove items such as temporary files and eligible Recycle Bin contents. Uninstall apps through Settings instead of deleting their folders by hand. Avoid deleting items under Windows, Program Files, or an app’s data folder unless you know what the files are for.

Microsoft’s Storage Sense guide explains the built-in cleanup controls. After moving or removing files, refresh the scan or reopen Storage to see the updated totals.