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When your hard drive starts filling up, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: “Where has all my storage gone?” Two popular tools can help you answer that — WinDirStat and TreeSize. Both are designed to show how your disk space is being used, but they approach it differently. In this post, we’ll compare them side by side to help you decide which one suits your needs best.
What Is WinDirStat?
WinDirStat (short for Windows Directory Statistics) is a free, open-source tool that scans your drives and displays disk usage visually. After scanning, it shows a colour-coded treemap of files and folders, making it easy to spot what’s taking up the most space.
Key Features
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Completely free and open source
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Colourful treemap visualisation for quick analysis
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Shows file types and extensions with usage statistics
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Simple, no-nonsense interface
Pros
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Great for quick visual identification of large files
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Lightweight and easy to use
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Portable version available
Cons
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Scanning can be slow on large drives
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Interface looks a bit dated
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No built-in reporting or scheduling options
What Is TreeSize?
TreeSize, developed by JAM Software, is another popular disk space analyser. It comes in both a free version (TreeSize Free) and a paid TreeSize Professional edition. TreeSize focuses on providing structured, business-grade reporting rather than just visualisation.
Key Features
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Fast scanning using NTFS MFT for better performance
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Provides detailed reports and charts
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Allows filtering by file type, size, or last modified date
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Professional edition includes network and remote scanning
Pros
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Much faster scans than WinDirStat
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Great for enterprise or IT professionals
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Excellent for identifying old or duplicate files
Cons
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The free version has limited functionality
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Interface can feel more complex for beginners
WinDirStat vs TreeSize: Feature Comparison
Feature | WinDirStat | TreeSize Free | TreeSize Professional |
---|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free | Paid |
Scan Speed | Slower | Faster | Fastest |
Treemap Visualisation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Reporting | Basic | Basic | Advanced |
Network Drive Support | No | No | Yes |
File Type Breakdown | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Scheduler | No | No | Yes |
Which Should You Use?
If you just want a free, visual way to see what’s taking up space on your computer, WinDirStat is ideal. It’s straightforward and perfect for personal use.
If you’re managing multiple systems or need reporting, network scanning, or automation, TreeSize Professional is worth considering. It’s built for IT admins who need detailed insights and faster results.
Final Thoughts
Both WinDirStat and TreeSize are excellent tools — your choice depends on what you need. For most home users, WinDirStat does the job brilliantly. For IT professionals, TreeSize’s speed and reporting make it the better long-term option.
For more PowerShell and system administration tips, check out other posts on Digital Geekery.