How to Check Folder Size in Windows 11

Do you ever wonder why your computer is running slowly? Often, it is because your hard drive is getting full. Learning how to check the size of your folders helps you identify which files are taking up the most space so you can clean them up.

When you are done, you will know exactly which folders to delete or move to an external drive to free up space. This keeps your computer running smoothly.

View folder size in File Explorer

File Explorer is the tool you use to manage your files. You can open it by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Find the folder you want to check.
3. Right-click on the folder.
4. Select “Properties” from the menu that appears.

A new window will open. Look for the “Size” and “Size on disk” fields to see how much space that folder is using.

This window also shows you when the folder was created and how many files are inside it.

How to view folder size by hovering your mouse

If you want a faster way to see the size, you can use your mouse:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Move your mouse cursor over the folder you want to check.
3. Wait a second, and a small box will pop up showing the size.

Note that this tip might not work for every single folder on your computer, but it is great for a quick look.

Advanced Tip: Using the Command Prompt

If you prefer using text commands, you can check file details using the Command Prompt. Note that some advanced system folders require admin privileges to access.

To check the size of a specific directory, you can use the following command:

dir C:\Users\GenericUser\Documents

This will list the contents and the total space used within that path.

Summary

• Checking folder sizes helps you manage your storage space and improve PC performance.
• You can view folder size by right-clicking a folder and selecting “Properties.”
• Hovering your mouse over a folder is a quick way to see its size without opening extra windows.
• Regularly checking your folders prevents your computer from getting clogged with unnecessary data.