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 241 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 241 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"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.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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 .
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"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.
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"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.
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"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
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"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.
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"very good software"
Version: WinDirStat 1.1.2
Pros
must have software,keeps you in touch with what is going on under the
bonnet of your computer.Cons
none really
Summary
not being a software expert, i felt i could do more harm than good if
i continued using this software.the experts reading these comments
might laugh but i stayed on the side of caution with winderstat.

