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How to Find Large Files on Windows 10

Looking to free up some space quickly? Finding large files only takes seconds

By Ruben Circelli Ruben Circelli Editor University of Massachusetts, Boston Ruben Circelli has been a freelance technology writer and editor since 2014. His work has appeared on dozens of sites, including Komando.com, Twinfinite, and TheGamer. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 8, 2021 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Microsoft Microsoft Apple Google Tablets Accessories & Hardware

What to Know

Open File Explorer and navigate to This PC or the drive you wish to search.In the search field, type size: gigantic and then press Enter. It will search for any files larger than 128 MB.Click the View tab, then select Details. The search results will now have additional information, like file size, next to their names. This article explains how to search for large files in Windows 10 using Windows Explorer. You won't need to purchase any extra software or tools; access to a Windows 10 computer is all you need. If it turns out there are no individual files large enough to make a difference, you may want to use a disk space analyzer tool to find out what you can safely get rid of to free up a meaningful amount of space.

How to Find Large Files on Windows 10

You won't need any extra software to do this because Microsoft builds this functionality right into Windows. And you can access it from anywhere on your PC in just a few clicks. Open up File Explorer, and navigate to the location you wish to begin your search. If you search This PC, it'll scan your whole computer, and if you select a drive within This PC, you'll search for any files only on the selected drive. Target your search to locations where you wouldn't expect to find large files. Remember, you're looking for non-essential files. Don't waste time searching drives for folders that you know you need. In the search field at the top right of the window, type size: gigantic and then Enter. This will search your specified location for any files larger than 128 MB. At the top-left of the window, click the View tab, then select Details. The search results will now have additional information, like file size, next to their names. Click the Size tab at the top of the results list to sort the files from largest to smallest, and click the tab again to sort from smallest to largest. From here, you can see the names and sizes of the files found and where they are, which will help you determine if it's a safe file to delete. If you don't get results with large files on your computer, you can have Windows show hidden files and folders and search again. When searching for files with hidden files shown, you'll likely discover a few critical files important to Windows. Be careful not to delete these files. FAQ How can I see a file's size in Windows 10? Go to File Explorer and right-click the Name field. Select Size. File sizes will now display on the right side of the window. Find it in File Explorer, right-click, and then select Properties to see a folder's size. You'll see the size and space the folder occupies. How can I view a file's full name on Windows 10? Go to File Explorer and click the View tab. Select Details to view more information about the file. Place a check in the box next to File Name Extensions to view the item's extension. Place a check next to Hidden Files to see any invisible documents. If the filename is getting cut off, go to Details view and drag the name column to make it wider. How to Search for Files in Windows 10 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire TreeSize Review (Free Disk Space Analyzer) How to Open File Explorer in Windows 11 8 Best Free Disk Space Analyzer Tools How to Check Free Hard Drive Space (Windows 11, 10, 8, +) Disk Savvy v14 Review What Is a Hidden File & Why Are Some Files Hidden? How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows How to Use OneDrive in Windows 10 The 21 Best Free Data Recovery Software Tools (Oct. 2022) How to Map a Network Drive in Windows 11 WinDirStat Review (Free Disk Space Analyzer) How to Access the Windows 10 Startup Folder How to Lock a Folder in Windows 10 How to Search for Files in Windows 10 How to Fix It When Windows Spotlight Is Not Working on Windows 10 How to Make Screencasts With Windows 10 Xbox Game DVR Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies