How do I see how much space a folder is using?

[cpjust]

In previous versions of Windows, if I right-click a folder in Windows Explorer and click Properties, it would calculate how much space is being used by all the files & sub-directories in a folder. In Vista, it doesn't.

Why? And how can I see how much space is being used by a folder now?

 

[linney]

It should be doing what you are missing. Has it always been like this, or is it a recent problem? How long have you been using Vista on this machine, is it a recent Upgrade from XP?


Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Try it first by not checking either box (this will run it in a Read-only mode) to see if it flags any hard drive or file problems. If it does, restart it by ticking both boxes, and rerun it to allow it to attempt to fix any found problems.


Maybe it is a problem with the right-click and either a faulty Mouse or faulty Context Menu Handlers. The latter might be able to be corrected via this program.

ShellExView v1.41 - Shell Extensions Manager

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

You could also test with another User in Normal Mode, or your current User in Safe Mode.

Tell us a bit about the history of your machine (and Vista on it), how has it been performing?

 

[kjv1611]

cpjust,

Are you sure you're waiting long enough? If the folder has LOTS and LOTS of files, then it will take Explorer a long time (some times) to return a number in that spot.

Also, have you tried making the Status Bar is enabled in Explorer, then simply select that folder in explorer view (when it's on the right, by default), and it'll show in the status bar.

But still, you have to wait long enough.

If you want to see the folder size for more than one at a time, there are 3rd party applications for that.

Also, if you're having some other issue that you can't sort out, and just need to see the file size for a certain folder, try an FTP program, such as a new one I'm using now, BitKinex, or try something like FreeCommander as an alternative to Windows Explorer.

 

[Diancecht]

You can always use the old black command line. A simple dir /s will show the info you need

Anyway, you should check why it isn't working for you.

Cheers,
Dian

 

[cpjust]

I just noticed that looking at the properties of a FAT32 directory works right and calculates the amount of space used in that directory, but not NTFS. I'll try waiting longer and see if it makes a difference, but I doubt it will.

 

[linney]

There are no security permissions required in FAT32 Partitions, so maybe it is a problem with your users access to NTFS files?

How do I restore security settings to the default settings?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313222/#appliesto

How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista (or 7)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/#appliesto

 

[linney]

Is there anything in Folder Options/ View, that can be checked (or unchecked) to show the display of file size information in folder tips?