How to Check Total Hard Disk Space in Windows 10

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Hello readers,

Are you using Windows 10 and wondering how to check the total hard disk space in your system? It’s a common question that many users ask. This article is going to provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to check your total hard disk space in Windows 10.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Check Total Hard Disk Space in Windows 10

Step 1: Open File Explorer

The first step is to open File Explorer on your Windows 10 system. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + E or by clicking on the File Explorer icon located on your taskbar.

Step 2: Select “This PC”

Once File Explorer is open, you should see “This PC” on the left-hand side. Click on it to view your computer’s storage devices.

Step 3: View Hard Disk Space

Your hard disk drives and other storage devices will be displayed under “Devices and drives.” Here, you can view their respective storage capacities and available space.

Step 4: View Disk Space Details

In order to view more detailed information about a specific drive, right-click on the drive and click on “Properties.” This will open up a window that shows you how much space is being used, how much is free, and other details about the drive.

Step 5: Use Disk Management

Another way to check total hard disk space in Windows 10 is to use the Disk Management tool. You can access this tool by pressing the Windows key + X and then clicking on “Disk Management” in the menu that appears.

Step 6: View Disk Layout

The Disk Management tool will show you a layout of all your storage devices and their partitions. You can view the total capacity and free space of each partition here.

Step 7: Use Command Prompt

If you prefer using the command prompt, you can view total hard disk space by typing in “wmic diskdrive get size” and pressing Enter. This will show you the size of each disk drive in bytes.

Step 8: Convert Bytes to Gigabytes

If you want to convert bytes to gigabytes, divide the number of bytes by 1,073,741,824. This will give you the gigabyte value of the drive.

Step 9: Use PowerShell

Another option for viewing hard disk space in Windows 10 is to use PowerShell. Open PowerShell and type in “Get-PhysicalDisk | Select-Object MediaType, Size, OperationalStatus” and hit Enter. This will show you the size of each physical disk drive along with other details.

Step 10: Check Storage Sense

Windows 10 also has a feature called Storage Sense that can help you free up disk space. To access this feature, go to “Settings” > “System” > “Storage” and turn on Storage Sense. This will automatically delete temporary files and unused files to free up space on your hard drive.

Step 11: Clean Up Disk Space

You can also manually clean up your hard disk space by going to “Settings” > “System” > “Storage” > “Free up space now.” This will let you delete temporary files, old backups, and other files that you no longer need.

Step 12: Upgrade Your Hard Drive

If you are consistently running out of disk space on your Windows 10 system, it may be time to upgrade your hard drive. You can purchase a larger hard drive and install it yourself or have a professional do it for you.

Tips and Tricks

1. Use External Hard Drives

If you are running out of space on your internal hard drive, consider using an external hard drive to store large files or backups.

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2. Uninstall Unnecessary Programs

Uninstall programs that you no longer use to free up space on your hard drive.

3. Disable Hibernation

Disabling hibernation on your Windows 10 system can free up a significant amount of hard drive space.

4. Use Cloud Storage

Cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox can be used to store files that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

5. Use Disk Cleanup Tool

The Disk Cleanup tool in Windows 10 can help you delete unnecessary files and free up space on your hard drive.

6. Disable System Restore

Disabling system restore can free up space on your hard drive but it also means you cannot restore your system to a previous state.

7. Move Files to Another Location

Move large files or folders to another location or external hard drive to free up space on your internal hard drive.

8. Use Storage Sense

Turn on Storage Sense to automatically free up space on your hard drive.

9. Upgrade Your RAM

Upgrading your RAM can improve your system’s performance and reduce the need for excessive virtual memory which can take up hard drive space.

10. Use a Solid-State Drive

Solid-state drives (SSD) are faster and more efficient than traditional hard drives and can also save space on your system.

In conclusion, checking your total hard disk space in Windows 10 is easy and there are many ways to do it. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily view how much space you have left and take action to free up space if necessary.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Checking Total Hard Disk Space in Windows 10

Advantages

1. Easy Access: Checking the total hard disk space in Windows 10 is extremely easy and can be done with just a few clicks of a button.

2. Better Storage Management: By checking the total hard disk space, users can better manage their storage needs and ensure they have enough space for important files and software.

3. Avoid Data Loss: When a hard disk runs out of space, it can lead to data loss and corrupted files. Checking the disk space regularly ensures that data is not lost and important files are protected.

4. Improved Performance: By assessing the total hard disk space, one can identify issues with the system and improve its overall performance.

5. Increased Productivity: When data is organized and stored properly, it allows users to work more efficiently, ultimately increasing productivity.

6. Prevents System Crashes: When a hard disk becomes full, it can lead to system crashes. By checking the total hard disk space, users can prevent this from happening and avoid potential downtime caused by crashes.

7. Better Security: By monitoring the hard disk space, users can identify if there are any unwanted programs or files taking up valuable space. This can help prevent security breaches and protect sensitive information.

8. Makes Backup Easier: By knowing the total hard disk space, it becomes easier to plan for backups and ensure that all important files are saved and stored safely.

9. Save Money: When users know the total hard disk space, they can plan for future storage needs and avoid costly hardware upgrades that may be unnecessary.

10. Improves System Longevity: By monitoring hard disk space, users can prolong their system’s lifespan, avoiding the need for costly replacements.

Disadvantages

1. Time Consuming: Checking the total hard disk space can take time, especially if the system has many files and folders to analyze.

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2. Technical Knowledge: Understanding the data provided by checking the disk space may require some technical knowledge, which may be difficult for some users.

3. False Positives: Sometimes a disk appears to be full, but many files may be temporary or unimportant, leading to false positives and unnecessary storage upgrades.

4. Risk of Overestimation: It is important to monitor the disk space regularly, as overestimating storage needs can lead to unnecessary upgrades and wasted storage space.

5. Limited Storage Options: Some devices may have limited storage options, meaning even with regular checks, users may still need to replace hardware to accommodate their storage needs.

6. Security Risks: Regularly checking disk space may lead users to store sensitive information on their devices, leading to potential security risks if the system is ever breached.

7. Dependency on Third-Party Software: Some users may need to rely on third-party software to check disk space, which may not always be reliable or secure.

8. Costly Upgrades: If regular checks are not conducted, users may be forced to upgrade to more expensive hardware if they run out of storage space.

9. Hard Drive Wear and Tear: Constantly checking the disk space can put added wear and tear on the hard drive, potentially leading to shorter life spans and more time spent on maintenance.

10. Lower Speeds: Sometimes when there is a limited amount of storage space, the system’s speed may be negatively impacted, ultimately leading to lower productivity.

FAQ

1. How do I check my hard drive space in Windows 10?

To check your hard disk space in Windows 10, you can follow these simple steps:

  1. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E.
  2. Under “This PC,” you will see the available hard drives. Right-click the drive you want to check.
  3. Select “Properties” from the drop-down list.
  4. Your hard drive’s total capacity, used and available space will be displayed in the Properties window.

2. What is my computer’s hard drive capacity?

To determine your computer’s hard drive capacity in Windows 10:

  1. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E.
  2. Under “This PC,” you will see the available hard drives.
  3. Right-click the drive you want to check.
  4. Select “Properties” from the drop-down list.
  5. Your hard drive’s total capacity will be displayed in the Properties window.

3. Can I check the hard drive space for multiple drives at once?

Yes, to check the hard drive space for multiple drives at once in Windows 10, follow these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E.
  2. Under “This PC,” select “Computer” from the ribbon on top.
  3. All the available hard drives will be displayed with their capacities and available space next to them.

4. Is there a shortcut to check hard drive space in Windows 10?

Yes. To check hard drive space using a shortcut in Windows 10, follow these steps:

  1. Right-click on the hard drive you want to check.
  2. Hover over “Send to” and select “Desktop (create shortcut).”
  3. A shortcut to the hard drive will appear on your desktop.
  4. To view hard drive details, double-click on the shortcut and select “Properties.”

5. How do I check hard drive space in Windows 10 using Command Prompt?

To check hard drive space using Command Prompt in Windows 10, do the following:

  1. Type “cmd” in the search bar and select “Command Prompt.”
  2. Type “wmic logicaldisk get name,size,freespace” and press Enter.
  3. You will get information on all available hard drives, their sizes and free space.
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6. What is a good amount of free space to have on my hard drive?

It’s recommended to have at least 10% of your hard drive space available at all times. So if you have a 1TB hard drive, aim for at least 100GB of free space.

7. What happens if I run out of hard drive space?

If you run out of hard drive space, your computer may slow down significantly, or in extreme cases, crash and lose data. Ensure you have enough free space available at all times to avoid any such problems.

8. Can I delete files to free up hard drive space?

Yes, deleting unnecessary files is one way to free up hard drive space. You can also use disk cleanup or uninstall unused programs to free up even more space.

9. What is the difference between hard drive space and RAM?

Hard drive space refers to the amount of space available on a computer’s hard drive, where data is stored long-term. RAM, or random access memory, on the other hand, refers to the short-term memory that the computer uses to carry out its tasks.

10. How often should I check my hard drive space?

You should check your hard drive space regularly to ensure you always have enough free space available. Doing this once a month should suffice for most users.

11. What should I do if I need more hard drive space?

If you need more hard drive space, you can either delete unnecessary files or upgrade your hard drive by replacing it with a larger one or adding an external hard drive.

12. What is a solid-state drive (SSD)?

A solid-state drive is a type of computer storage device that uses flash memory to store data. It’s faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives and is becoming more popular in newer computers.

13. How do I check the space on an external hard drive in Windows 10?

Checking the space on an external hard drive in Windows 10 is similar to checking the space on an internal hard drive:

  1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer.
  2. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E.
  3. Under “This PC,” you will see the available hard drives, including the external one.
  4. Right-click the external hard drive and select “Properties.”
  5. The total capacity, used and available space of the external hard drive will be displayed in the Properties window.

How to Check Total Hard Disk Space in Windows 10

If you have a Windows 10 computer, it’s important to keep track of your hard disk space to ensure you have enough space to store your files and run your programs smoothly. Checking your total hard disk space is easy to do and can be done in a few simple steps.

Conclusion

Checking your hard disk space in Windows 10 is quick and easy, and can help you manage your computer’s storage more effectively. By regularly monitoring your usage and freeing up space as needed, you can avoid running out of space and keep your computer running smoothly for years to come.

Closing

Thank you for taking the time to learn how to check your total hard disk space in Windows 10. We hope you found this guide helpful and informative. Remember to check your storage regularly to keep your computer running at its best, and don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional if you need assistance with managing your computer’s storage.

Until next time, happy computing!