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.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 229 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 229 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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""Can't Live without" stuff."
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Simple, Fast, Easy to use. Does what it says
Cons
Nothing as of now.
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"Great free progam"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Great way to see where all those hidden GB's of used drive space are.
Cons
none found
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"works but also freezes"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
I have used WinDirStat numerous times to keep drive space freed up. It is a good lightweight alternative to some of the paid programs. It will help you quickly nail down where those large files live.
Cons
I dislike the treemap - which also seems to make the program lock up when the scan finishes. The tree, itself, is already sorted by the largest folders, the visual is just superfluous.
The bigger complaint, however, is that the app will simply freeze up during the scan - especially if you try to navigate the tree before the scan is complete.
I would like to be able to exclude directories in my scans, as well.Summary
I still use the app - but I have to be very patient with it and let the scan complete. In my opinion, this app is just a few tweaks shy of five stars. The freezing issue is heavy enough to tarnish an otherwise handy app.
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"This program worked great."
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
I really needed a program like this as I was down to 1 GB of HD space and my system was really slow. What was eating up all my HD space? By using this program I was able to quickly identify the biggest offenders taking up space on my drive and delete all the unnecessary ones. I ended up with 20 GBs of free space which isn't bad for half of a 160 GB drive (drive C and D).
Once you get used to how to interpret the data you are given, both in written and visual forms, this program is a snap and you are able to delete unwanted files right from this program without needing to back-out and go to "add/remove programs" to do so. A nice touch.Cons
The program itself has a bit of a learning curve and their isn't a lot of help for the uninitiated in learning how to use it. Perhaps there are resources in this area on video sites and forums (I didn't look), but from the program itself it could have been made a little easier to learn it at first. But as stated in my Pros above, once learned this program is very easy to use.
Summary
It was exactly what I needed. It worked great and it's free! Can't complain. What a deal!
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"Great tool to find things or determine data space hog"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
+ Pretty fast and scans multiple drives simultaneously
+ Lets me find files that I know are big among smaller files (like videos in folders of pictures)
+ Lets me find what is hogging all the space
+ can run off flash driveCons
nothing. It looks like the simple program it is, that's all I need it to do.
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"Excellent piece of software"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Easy to load and an excellent program.
Cons
None imho I had to add more characters not sure what to add here thanks ian
Summary
If you need to know what is taking up all your hard drive space , then this piece of software is great , as then you can backup to dvd or external hard drive or put in the cloud and you get your hard drive back to where it should be running, at maximum capacity and read and write speed good. thanks for reading ian.
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"Colorful way to vizualize all files and folders!"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Easy to use. Colorful! Helps spot disk usage by comparing files side-by-side.
Cons
None that I know of!
Summary
Very helpful & easy to use!
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"I wish this software worked."
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
Frankly, the only pro I can think of is the idea that it is "supposed" to do what I'd like it to do.
Cons
I've tried downloading this software a number of times, each time with the same unsatisfactory result. The result that I'm "speaking" of is that it just doesn't work. It just doesn't do anything but freeze-up and fail.
Summary
I would like software that does specifically what this one is claimed to do but haven't been successful in having that happen. I've shut all programs down, disengaged the firewall and anti-virus software when downloading it to no avail. Now I have to use my thumb and point it downward.
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"Very effective in showing what is hogging the space."
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
The graphical representation really give one an idea where everything "lives". I especially like the way one can click on any area and the appropriate path comes up showing exactly what the file is.
Cons
Nothing that i can see at this time.
Summary
This is a great tool to add to your Utilities.
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"One of the most valuable tools in my PC kit bag!"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
This whizzy tool discovered and allowed me to rescue nearly 1TB of space across my 3 external drives - and did so in a mere 3 minutes! A very, very useful piece of kit with a minimal footprint
Cons
Might be a tad TOO powerful in the wrong hands - i.e. a basic user - but, if you read the instructions and only delete those files whose functions you actually recognise and understand, you should be ok.
Summary
I had been searching unsuccessfully for DAYS for the application that was consuming so much of my expensive disk space. Just as I had resigned myself to buying yet another external drive, I came across a recommendation for this tool. Within a few minutes of installing it had cornered the culprit (Windows Back Up) and allowed me to delete vast amounts of space being used for redundant mirror backups - one set was 538GB alone! I will now regularly run this baby across my system!
