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Introduction
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When your hard drive fills up, the quickest way to find out which files are hogging the space is to use a specialist utility that displays your disk space usage visually. There are a number of excellent free contenders that differ mainly in the way the disk space usage is portrayed.
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Discussion
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 jDiskReport is my top contender in this category. It convinced me with features, usability and presentation. Upon start you pick a drive or directory to scan, the results are available for display as a pie chart, "pizza" chart, bar chart or in list form. The selection can also be filtered by "Top 50", "Size Distribution", "Modified Age" and "File Types". The navigation bar on the left allows a quick selection of any folder within the area scanned. The result list can also be copied to the clipboard as a table which allows further usage in a spreadsheet program. You can't navigate above the object you've scanned but a new scan allows you to chose a different objcet of course. I am quite sure jDiskReport will serve your needs of displaying your disk usage.
 The open source program WinDirStat is another outstanding program. It uses three ways to display the disk usage: a directory list, a file extension list and a rectangular treemap. The visual presentation, overall usability and scan speed makes this a great tool to visualize disk usage.
 SequoiaView was the quickest scanner of my hard disk. It displays the space usage in a rectangular treemap called "Squarified treemaps". Unfortunately it dos not offer any other visualization like WinDirStat.
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Editor
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This software category is maintained by volunteer editor johnichan
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Glary Utilities has a built in space analyzer thats better than any listed here.
For some reason Explorer in my XPpro on one machine will not display disk space siz in the bottom bar.
I use ExplorerXP, does a good job.
http://www.explorerxp.com/
Space Sniffer is exactly what I've been looking for: a visual representation of your hard drive using labeled rectangles. It works off of one .exe file too(Reminds me of SysTrayMeter, SweepRAM, and uTorrent ^^). I absolutely love these kinds of programs. Thanks, second-post-under-mine guy! You saved me from a bunch of headaches.
Just installed Space Sniffer on my computer today. Really cool program! In my opinion, it's better than Space Monger (and all the 3 other programs reviewed on this page). Very easy and intuitive as they advertised on their page. I recommend.
how about Space Sniffer.
http://www.uderzo.it/main_products/space_sniffer/index.html
This is a great roundup here and windirstat is my top pick. I have compiled my favourite disk space analysers on my blog:
http://www.jonnysblog.com/2009/04/03/disk-space-management-freeware-to-v...
It includes many of the ones reviewed here and in the comments plus a couple of others. Only one I forgot is sequoia view. Got mid way through my post and made my way here (should have come here first). I have referenced this article in my post too as I have before.
Thanks
Jonny
If my hard disk is filled up I don't need a "Disk Space Analyzer", I need a bigger hard disk. I never understood why anyone with a simple home pc would want to "analyze" their hard disk. Is it that complex? Why not just look in Explorer? Like that you can see everything you need to see. O.k., it's not very colorful with pie charts and stuff, but who cares?
I'd still like to know why my disk is filled up. It's not like the old DOS days when I could tell where every file was. Nowadays it's way more complex.
These softwares make things really easy for you. Explorer wont tell you in a nice visual way, and in a glance, that which of the folder is taking the most space. Does the explorer show the folder size? No it dosent. You have to look at the folder properties to get the folder size, or hover your mouse over the folder to get the folder size. But, these softwares can tell you in a jiffy, which folder is occupying the most space. Then, in that folder, you can see which files are occupying the most space.
So its really easy to find out where your hard disk space is being used.
Sometimes, people cant get a bigger hard disk immediately because of many reasons. Some cant afford it at that time, or some want to delay it for any reasons they have. So these tools really come in handy. They are also handy for users who want to keep a watch on their hard disk space regularly, even if they are not running out of disk space.
Thats why bro, you need these softwares.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
I see your point and respect your opinions, but unfortunately don't agree. I subscribe more to the view that you should learn to use what you have. The reality is that All of this info can be found integrated into the OS, you just have to learn how to find it. Unfortunately, most people just use what's easier because they believe that answer is more important than the learning process.
It's true that these programs are nicer to look at and more convenient, but they don't offer anything that I can't find myself with the integrated programs of the OS.
If my hard disk is becoming too filled-up then common sense tells me that the most memory demanding programs and files are the cause. As a result I know that this is probably due to commonly large size file such as video, music, and (if you have) games. It could also be due to "project folders" such as those used in graphics or music editing programs.
From what I've experienced over many years to be a great advantage is that I always have several logical drives on my H Disk, and this saves me lots of time in determining exactly how physical memory is being distributed and used within explorer. It also makes it very easy to locate files and determine folder size, because I know how big my logical drives are.
Thats why "bro" I definitely don't need this software
Rodny Gold, Canada
I agree that you can find the information integrated into the OS itself, but that is cumbersome to find out. I don't think that there is such a thing in windows, so as to find out "in a glance", which folders are occupying most space on a disk, or which files are occupying more space in a folder. It may be easy finding files inside a folder, but finding out about folders on the disk will be a problem.
If programs are available, which are easy to use, find results quickly, in a presentable manner and easy to decipher, then there's nothing wrong in using them and saving time.
Its not always the games, music, or videos that might be taking up the space. And even if they do, a user who owns the hard disk would sure know about it. Things other than these might be temporary files, software patches, hotfixes, uninstallers, or other files or folders.
I have an 8 GB old hard disk, and I was really running short of space, and I used these programs to find out, what was taking up the precious space. I was surprised what things you can find out, which would be really difficult to find out otherwise.
And there are people who are not well conversed with the OS, so these programs are quite a boon for them, to find things quickly, and easily.
If you can show me how to find out used up hard disk space easily, and quickly as these programs, with the things integrated in the OS as you say, I might start using your methods. So, please if you have something useful, share with us.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
You are correct in stating that there is nothing wrong in using these programs to save time. I use several other 3rd party system utilities myself in order to save time in other ways, such as system cleaning. I'm not opposed to all software, just the ones that are redundant.
And no, I can't show you how to, "to find out used up hard disk space easily, and quickly as these programs [through the OS]", because that's a loaded question, which attempts to divert attention from my whole point. My point is, why would I want to install something that I already have? If I learn to use what I have then I gain a much clearer understanding of how the OS stores files & works for me. As a result I don't need to duplicate these tools by installing more programs that do the same thing.
I don't buy the argument that people don't have enough time to understand all of this. That's an easy excuse; yes, we are all very busy. However, we seem to find the time to do other less-than-important things such as discussing the significance of "disk space analyzers". In the end, all that we have is time.
You want to save space on your hard disk, fine, my recommendation is to start with redundant programs that the OS already provides.
Rodny Gold, Canada
Hi Rodny,
I just used this tool jdisk Report and found why my work laptop was so crowed on my system partition: Tomcat had not deleted tempfiles (used for SAS web reporting)amounting to 20.000 Files at about 1 MB = 20 GB. I was searching allready with the Win Explorer but in the wrong (sub)folders. Was a mystery to me (who does not have the time to search for hours during work) until this tool revealed the reason in 2 minutes. Btw I am IT guy and even I didnt have a clue what had filled my system disk after time being.
Respect to that tool: nice, easy, efficient ;-)
Best,
Henning Scholler, Switzerland
You're dismissing these programs without understanding what they're useful for.
Sure, if you already know what to look for, it's easy to find files to clear out. But you DON'T always know what to look for, and Windows definitely doesn't have good, quick tools for finding some of these things.
For example, doing a quick scan with WinDirStat, I recently discovered almost 20 gigs of wasted space on one of my HDDs. The files were small temp files created by an audio conversion app. Because they were small, buried in a program files sub dir, and named with random characters, it would have been hard to notice them with Windows tools alone, especially since I wasn't actively looking since I had no idea these files existed. Looking at WinDirStat, it was immediately apparent as a big directory.
They also simply allow a nice visualization of disc usage, which can help users in deciding how they want to organize their PC.
The OS does not provide this. That is the problem. Yes you can use Explorer to list files sizes and right click on folders to see their size but this takes time and can be tedious. The OS does not have a built in disk analyzer so it is not a question of redundancy. I think your argument is absurd. In the IT world "time is money" and "work smarter, not harder." You have obviously never tried to track down a growing log file that is hidden deep in the directory structure. If you a gluten for punishment and like to do things the hard way then by all means, have ball. Personally I would rather download, install and scan with an analyzer and figure out the problem w/in 30min rather than spending half of a day tracking it down with Win Exp. I am just glad I do not have to work with you as a client but if I did you would surely win the PITA award. With so many things in the IT world to complain about and you chose this one; I say you just like to complain or have entirely too much time on your hands. Going back to work now; maybe you should too.
Buddy, its not a question which I have put to divert your attention. I really want to find out, how you can achieve the same thing as these softwares do, using the explorer. Please do share with me, for the knowledge of mine, and others, that how can you achieve this. I really don't know. So, please show me the way how you can find out, the hard disk usage, as easily as these programs.
And why do u use cleaning softwares too. You can do the cleaning tasks using the OS integrated tools.
Some people are really busy, to do things the hard way. And when softwares are there, which will save time, and do the things more easily, and more efficiently, why would anyone go doing things the hard way? Also, not everyone is as intelligent as you, neither as well conversed with computer as you are... and so these softwares are really a big help to them. Its not an excuse, its a necessity.
So u consider this discussion of "disk space analayzers" as less-than-important. Nice comment buddy. Its this attitude of yours that made me respond to your post. I don't like debates... you may have a different point of view than others, but please do not consider the other people fool, if they are not doing the same thing as you are.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
As an IT pro one of the questions I hear most often from home users is "why is my hardrive full and how can I free up more room"
The answer to both of those questions is about 30 seconds away using WinDirStat. I can instantly tell where the largest folders and files are located on the drive and then get to deleting unnecessary/redundant data.
I find this VERY useful. If I could only use windows this process would take MUCH longer.
-J
Quite true... thats the whole point. Its so much easy to find out where the space on hard disk is being used, and by which files or folders, with these softwares. It would really be hard to do it with the explorer alone. With these softwares, I found out files and folders, and in places, that I would never have found out, using the orthodox windows explorer techniques.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
jDiskReport rocks for its interface and ease of use.
I use TreeSize Free. Quite arranges
I strongly suggest the free utility Overdisk.
This is an AMAZING program. Thought I knew my disk(s) well, but after running this little gem, discovered I was wasting almost 8 gigs on my system disk. OverDisk populated the data window and a huge folder called Recycler stood out clearly. It was at the top level directory on the C: disk. Searching for it (including hidden files and folders) showed nothing. Some research though revealed it was left over from Norton (by Symantec). Even if you deinstall Norton, that folder stays and remains hidden. It's no longer needed of course. I used a DOS Command and deleted the directory. Got back almost 8 gigs of space. Did a scan and a defrag and the system zooms along much faster now.
I completely agree with you. It's indeed amazing. I only want to add to your comment that what makes it so amazing to me it the way it manages to give in one single graphic the complete use of your disk with in that same picture a clear view on the biggest files and folders on that disk. I simply love it. Should be present on every pc.
Thanks #29 for mentioning Scanner, I like it. Btw new version 2.10 is out.
Do any of these find duplicates?
Do any of these find duplicates?
There is an article on duplicate detectors:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-duplicate-file-detector.htm
Also check out Glary Utilities:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-pc-tune-up-utility.htm
Or EasyCleaner:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-registry-cleaner.htm
Who knows, you might already have something like these that has a duplicate finder hidden somewhere!
SpaceMonger.
Hear, hear!
Disk Usage Analyzer
http://www.extensoft.com/?p=free_disk_analyzer
Scanner is amazing lil software + no installation required.
The newer versions of windirstat allow to choose rectangular or squarified maps.
its clearly the best one IMO. Great, useful little app
-J
Scanner
http://www.steffengerlach.de/freeware/
This tool uses a unique concentric pie chart to display the usage of your hard disk or other media. The chart shows all major files and folders from all directory levels at once.
This is the best I've ever seen, think You should consider it and keep up with this great site. Hope I've helped.
Andre' Carvalho
I use SpaceMonger. It shows things as rectangles inside rectangles and shows as much as possible without needing to zoom in on folders. But you can easily zoom in to see more details.
I use diskdata
http://www.diskdata[dot]com/download/diskdata.exe
Diskdata is NOT freeware. Durr.
Thank you for your help, i found this page searching "SPACE ANALYZER OPEN SOURCE WINDOWS" on google and fortunately i found what I was looking for. :)
--greenkey
I like to use fosi++ . There is a lite version which is freeware.
treesize free ver 2x www.jam-software.com
I haven't found anything I like better than Overdisk --especially with the "Rainbow Wash" visual setting. It makes disk usage very clear visually.
Agree. Can´t understand why people like the "box view". It´s a total mess. OverDisk´s visualization (similar to Scanner and TreePie) is much clearer.
have use Disc\kTective for years , excellent and self-contained so can run from an USB facility (www.disktective.com/)
No folder size there...
Here's 2 more:
Xinorbis - http://www.freshney.org/xinorbis/index.htm
HDGraph - http://hdgraph.objectis.net/
Might be interesting to provide a "winner" in each of 3 categories:
- Treemap-view
- Pie-chart-view
- Exportable reports
Also might be interesting to have a new category for "getneral data exploration/visualization".
Panopticon also used to offer a generalized treemapper with disk space as a default source... it was very nice but I can't find the freeware version of it anymore.
Download links for both Sequoia View and WinDirStat currently point tot he incorrect location of "http://downloads.sourceforge.net/inkscape/Inkscape-0.46.win32.exe" (Inkscape - a vector graphics editor). The text shown on the links is correct, but the code for the links is pointing to the erroneous location.
Thanks. Hopefully fixed.
+1 for treesize free
Hello Mike Norris{editor}
I recently tried to download some suggestions from your software page. The first being Amust, warning that the site was corrupt and Sequoia download was a alert of a potentially malicious program. Are these download sites that insecure or I'm I just unlucky. Thanks still for a great web site.
I can't remember where I first got the recommendation, but I've been using the last free version of Spacemonger (http://www.sixty-five.cc/sm/v1x.php) ever since I first found it. Extremely quick and gives a nice graphical representation of what's eating the space on your HD.
I like WinDirStat.
It has both a directory listing and graphical blocks display, with colors for different file types.
http://windirstat.info/
+1.
I loved Sequoia and used it quite abit and I do prefer the squarified treemap it uses. But windirstat is more useful to me because of the multiple views. BTW you can make sequoia portable (and many other apps) by using uniextract.
J
Although TreeSize Free is an excellent basic disk space analyser, I prefer WinDirStat because it combines the best of both a graphical diskmap as well as a hierarchical tree map.
It is also extremely small and easy to use; and best of all, it also has a portable version at http://portableapps.com/
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