CNET Editors' review
Identify how much disk space you're using with WinDirStat. Based on the Linux application KDirStat, this great piece of freeware offers you an informative visual display of your hard-drive usage. It can also analyze your local devices. Depending on the size of your disk, the initial WinDirStat scan may take quite a while, so be prepared to go grab a cup of coffee for 5 to 10 minutes.
When you return, you'll see all of your files (for the drive or directory you decided to scan) displayed in a rainbow of colors. WinDirStat assigns colors to each file type, such as MP3, ZIP, EXE, JPG, and so on. By default, the files that take up the most space are colored blue, the second heftiest are red, and the third largest green. After the first 10 color-labeled file types, the rest appear in gray--but you can change these settings and colors through the Options menu.
Once you've identified where your disk space has gone, you can then more easily decide where you can save space. WinDirStat is loaded with features for managing your files, such as the ability to automatically delete files without even bothering with the Recycle Bin. It's one of those tools that you didn't know you needed until you started using it, but once installed, it's hard to imagine life without it.
Publisher's Description
From Bernhard Seifert:
WinDirStat is a disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for Microsoft Windows (all current variants). WinDirStat reads the whole directory tree once and then presents it in three useful views: the directory list, which resembles the tree view of the Windows Explorer but is sorted by file/subtree size; the treemap, which shows the whole contents of the directory tree straight away; and the extension list, which serves as a legend and shows statistics about the file types.
More Products to Consider
- Clean up junk files and invalid Registry entries.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Tune up and maintain your PC, clean registry easily.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Take full control over RAR and ZIP archives, along with unpacki...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Take full control over RAR and ZIP archives, along with unpacki...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Fix, speed up, maintain, and protect your PC.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Move, resize, copy, explore, and recover hard disk drive partit...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Get the latest updates for the software installed on your compu...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Compare content of two folders and backup with visual compariso...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Compare content of two folders and backup with visual compariso...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Update PC drivers automatically using cloud technology.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Get information about your PC's performance.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Get the utility and functions of Wise Disk Cleaner and Wise Reg...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Watch the little ants moving over your desktop.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Find and fix incorrect or obsolete information in the Windows r...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Watch the little ants moving over your desktop.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Create HTML, text, or CSV directory listings from any drive or ...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Repair registry errors, remove "junk" files, and ensure your PC...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Optimize your PC to regain frustration-free experience using ad...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Download and update all your Windows drivers, back them up and ...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Synchronize multiple folders with ease.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Zip and unzip files instantly, protect them by encryption, or b...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Store your files to a USB, hard drive or a network share as bac...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Store your files to a USB, hard drive, or a network share as ba...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Defragment your disks and improve computer performance and stab...Download
Installed
Smart Install
-
All versions:
4.1 starsout of 242 votes
-
Current version:
4.1 starsout of 242 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Junk! Don't even bother..."
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Nothing that I could see. Advanced System Care or the new Wise Care 365, if far better.
Cons
Doesn't make sense, too hard to understand, noticed to changed in speed or anything else.
Summary
A program that looks fancy; nice interface; but worthless.
-
"This is not free"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
There were none that I could see because I wouldn't pay for it.
Cons
I downloaded this, and it scanned my computer and found thousands of so-called errors. But then when it went to repair them, it said it would only repair 50. To fix the rest I would have to buy the full version. This is being misrepresented as free. I don't know why it's getting so many good reviews.
-
"Free program that does everything to clean your disk"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
I've looked at several similar programs, this has the best features of the ones I've seen. And it's free! I mean really free. Doesn't even nag you for donations.
Cons
None that I could find.
-
"Retrieved lost photos easily! Must have program!"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Makes finding large lost files easy
Efficiently aids in cleaning up a driveCons
NONE at all!
Summary
Some important wedding photos had vanished from my picture file, and it occurred to me to try a program like this to find them. I knew the original file was quite large, so if the file of pics was still on the drive at all it would become apparent. While I still do not know how the file got buried in a "printer shortcut" file, finding them with this program worked like a charm! Cleaning up my computer after that was also so easy with this program.
-
"Great Software for Fast Clean-up"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
- Very Effective
- Smooth Interface <--------|
- Easy to Learn/Use }--------|Cons
- Takes about 5 - 10 minutes to scan computer (However this is expected with ANY SOFTWARE and is noted on the program that it can take a little bit on the first scan)
Summary
This is a great program and I highly recommend it. I went from 87 GB left to now having 153 in about 10-15 minutes of using this program. I love the rainbow table as it is very easy and user friendly.
-
"Great software, Cool Look!"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Does what it says. You will know about every file on your hard drive.
Cons
None from me .
-
"Fabulous software: a gift"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
It allows to see what is "eating" your space in the HD. You can also delete everything you want or see in what place it is the software and or the files.
Cons
Nothing, really.
-
"A very nice GUI"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Allows you to really break down what's on your drives.
Cons
Takes a little long to process compared to Tree Size, but that's understandable.
Summary
I recommend.
-
"Free, Easy and understandable"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Its simple to use.
Gives a great lock down of memory status.Cons
I could not find any Cons
Summary
Overall a very good free application
-
"Does the job and it's free, nice display, a bit slow."
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
FREE, nice graphical representation of results.
Cons
Wish it was faster (although I'm not comparing it to any other program). Also REALLY wish I could save the results so I don't have to continually reanalyze the drive or folders as it's time consuming.
Summary
I'll continue to use WinDirStat until I find a program that can save the results as interactive and is faster.




