Download WinDirStat
WinDirStat shows how storage space is distributed across a Windows system. It scans drives, folders, and command-line targets, then displays results through a directory tree, file type breakdown, and treemap. The treemap uses rectangle area to represent file size, so the largest consumers are visible immediately. Search, filtering, duplicate detection, and file operations are integrated into the same view, allowing investigation and cleanup without switching between separate utilities. Reports can be exported or compared over time.
The program supports several working modes. A full scan produces a complete map of a drive. A folder scan narrows the scope to a specific location. Command-line targets allow scripted or automated scans. Fast NTFS scanning and multithreading reduce the time required for large volumes. Results can be sorted by logical size, physical size, percentage, owner, modified time, and other attributes. Free and unknown space, hardlinks, and reparse points are accounted for so the totals reflect actual conditions.
Cleanup actions are available directly from the scan results. Items can be opened, moved, deleted, or passed to Explorer, Command Prompt, or PowerShell. Windows maintenance tools such as Disk Cleanup, DISM, defrag, and CHKDSK can be launched from the interface. Custom actions extend this set. Dark mode, portable settings, Explorer integration, localization, and high-DPI support adapt the program to different environments and regional formats.
Use Cases for WinDirStat
| Scan local drives, folders, and command-line targets | Refresh, suspend, resume, and stop active scanning operations |
| Fast NTFS scanning with multithreaded processor core distribution | Elevated privileges reach protected system locations otherwise skipped |
| Coordinated views for files, duplicates, extensions, treemap | Each view answers different storage consumption questions |
| Treemap renders files as rectangles proportional to size | Zoom, reselect, toggle labels, choose logical or physical sizing |
| Sortable columns expose logical size, physical size, attributes | Hardlink information clarifies multiple paths to same data |
| Regular expression search with path, name, size filters | Reparse-point exclusions narrow results without rescanning |
| Hash-based duplicate detection with configurable algorithm | Hardlink deduplication prevents counting same data twice |
| Cloud-file safeguards avoid triggering placeholder downloads | Export duplicate lists to CSV for external review |
| File Watcher records created, deleted, modified, renamed events | Import and export scan results via CSV for comparison |
| Open, copy paths, or launch Explorer context menu | Launch Command Prompt or PowerShell in item location |
| Move, delete files or folders, empty Recycle Bin internally | Shortcuts to Disk Cleanup, DISM, defrag, CHKDSK, shadow copies |
| Access hibernation files, user profiles, Mark-of-the-Web tags | NTFS compression and sparse file maintenance shortcuts |
| Custom cleanup actions attach commands to selected items | Trigger external tools from identified scan targets |
| Configurable layout with column selection and larger icons | Dark mode changes visual theme |
| Portable settings travel with executable instead of system profile | Explorer context-menu integration adds right-click entry |
| Locale-aware formatting adapts numbers, sizes, dates | High-DPI aware behavior keeps interface legible when scaled |