How to Show Folder Size in Windows 11’s File Explorer Size Column

Windows 11 continues the tradition of making file management as efficient as possible, and this includes the ever-important feature of having folder sizes readily available in File Explorer. However, by default, Windows Visual does not display folder sizes in the Size column. This can become cumbersome for users who want to know how much space a folder is taking up without having to delve deeper into properties or other tools. Luckily, there are methods to enable folder sizes in Windows 11, and this article will guide you through various methods to achieve this.

Understanding the Need for Folder Sizes

Before jumping into technical steps, it’s essential to understand why you might want to see folder sizes directly in File Explorer. Managing storage effectively often requires knowing how much space each folder occupies. Large folders may contain files that can be archived or deleted to recover valuable disk space, especially on SSDs or smaller drives.

The default behavior of File Explorer, where only file sizes are shown, can make it tedious to gauge the storage taken up by various folders. As a result, many users can pass hours checking properties of different folders just to map out where their storage is going.

Enabling Folder Sizes Through Settings

Step 1: Updating Windows

First, make sure that you’re running the latest version of Windows 11 for optimal performance and access to features. To check for updates:

1. Click on the Start button and then select Settings (the gear icon).
2. Navigate to Windows Update.
3. Click on Check for updates and install any available updates.

Step 2: Accessing File Explorer

Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or pressing Windows + E. This will open a new File Explorer window, where you can start managing files and folders.

Step 3: Customizing Folder View

While default settings do not show folder sizes, you can modify your view options:

1. Go to any folder in File Explorer.
2. Click on the View tab in the ribbon interface.
3. Select Details.

This will set your view type to a detailed list.

Step 4: Using the Properties Context Menu

To view the size of any folder, you can use the context menu:

1. Right-click on the folder whose size you wish to check.
2. Click on Properties.
3. A new window opens displaying the size of the folder and its contents.

However, this method is inefficient if you need to check multiple folders frequently.

Using Third-Party Software

Since Windows 11 does not allow folder sizes in the Size column by default, third-party applications can efficiently fill this gap. Here are a couple of popular options:

1. TreeSize Free

TreeSize Free is one of the popular tools that help visualize folder sizes and manage disk space efficiently.

Installation Process

1. Go to the TreeSize Free website.
2. Download the installer and run it.
3. Follow the installation instructions.

Using TreeSize Free

1. Open TreeSize Free.
2. Select the drive you want to scan from the left panel.
3. The software scans the drive and displays all folders with their sizes.
4. You can expand folders to view the size of subfolders.

2. WinDirStat

WinDirStat is another effective tool that offers a visual representation of how folder sizes contribute to your overall disk usage.

Installation Process

1. Visit the WinDirStat website.
2. Download and execute the installer.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the application.

Using WinDirStat

1. Open WinDirStat after the installation.
2. Select the drive you want to analyze, then click OK.
3. The software will display a colorful graphical representation of your files and folders, giving you an immediate visual cue of which folders are taking the most space.

Using Command Prompt to View Folder Sizes

For users who prefer built-in tools or command-line interfaces, the Windows Command Prompt can list folder sizes, although not in the main File Explorer interface. Here’s how to do it:

Steps to Use Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt:

   • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type cmd, and hit Enter.

2. Change the Directory:

   • Navigate to the folder you want to analyze. Use the cd command:

     cd pathtoyourfolder

3. Listing Folder Sizes:

   • You can use the following command:

     dir /S

   • This will summarize the storage used in the folder and its subfolders.

4. Use PowerShell for a Detailed View:

   • Another powerful alternative to Command Prompt is Windows PowerShell.
   • Open PowerShell (right-click Start, select Windows Terminal, and choose PowerShell).
   • Use the command:

     Get-ChildItem -Recurse | Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum

   • This command provides the total size of files within the current directory.

Integrating Linux-like Tools for Enhanced File Management

If you are comfortable with the command line, you can consider using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to install Linux command-line utilities like du (disk usage).

Setting Up WSL

1. Enable WSL:
   Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

   wsl --install

2. Install a Linux Distribution:
   Choose one from the Microsoft Store, such as Ubuntu.

3. Using the du Command:
   After setting up, open your Linux terminal and navigate to the folder using cd. Use:

   du -sh *

   This command will show sizes in a human-readable format.

Conclusion

Although Windows 11’s File Explorer does not natively support displaying folder sizes in the Size column, several effective workarounds make it possible. Whether through third-party applications, the built-in Command Prompt, or even Linux command-line tools via WSL, you can easily access folder sizes and manage your disk space more effectively.

Each method has its pros and cons, so assess what suits your working style best. The ability to visualize folder quantities based on size can significantly augment your productivity and enhance your understanding of how disk space is utilized. By taking control of such features now, you ensure a smoother computing experience in the future.