Wrong calculation of folder size by Windows

Anonymous
2018-06-28T18:16:18+00:00

Hello,

I noticed today that my Windows system does not properly calculate folder sizes.

I'm actually trying to make a backup of all my personal and work content. When I check the whole backup folder size under properties, It shows me around 10 Gb. But when I open this big folder and select a subfolder, It show me 30 Gb... This is kind of really annoying and I think it's a major issue Microsoft should fix ASAP.

I would like to say (because I didn't find anywhere else to post it) that in my opinion, Microsoft lacks ways of collecting feedback from his clients. There is nowhere we can manually report bugs and crashes.

In any ways, I think that showing correct folder sizes is a really basic task that an Operating System should be able to do. Such a bug is inacceptable for a leader like Microsoft, and I honestly consider going along with Apple if this issue does not get quickly fixed. My computer will soon need to be changed in anyways.

Meanwhile, if some of you guys have found ways to go around this major issue, feel free to share them :). Thank you!

Here is my technical information :

Intel Core i7-3720QM 2.60 GHz

64 bits

Windows 10 family version 1803

Installed on 2018-06-20

O.S. version 17134.112

Many thanks is advance,

Antoine

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
DaveM121 931.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2018-06-28T18:35:14+00:00

Hi Antoine_795,

It is widely reported that version 1803 of Windows 10 has introduced a bug into Explorer.exe

It is because it cannot read the metadata of files correctly, it mixes up the size and dimensions for example

Therefore it cannot calculate the size of a folder, especially if it has sub-folders, it also cannot calculate the spare space on a hard drive . . .

In the meantime, while we are waiting for Microsoft to fix this bug:

Click the link below to download a small free utility called Treesize - it is a great utility . . .

Using that tool, you will instantly see the size of all folders (always missing form File Explorer) and where space is being used on your hard drive . . .

https://www.jam-software.com/treesize_free/

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Was this answer helpful?

40+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

105 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-05-05T08:42:09+00:00

    Great advice!

    That really helped - what a handy tool.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-05-01T16:07:40+00:00

    Thanks for the reply megawhite. 

    I am an old hard drive engineer from the 80s. For many reasons i never turn my computers off, and I virtually never have hardware failures and my computers are always ready to use when I have an impulse to do something. I know it wastes some power, but the cost of a hardware failure far out weighs the electricity cost. 

    Thanks again for your thoughts. Let’s keep the faith that Satya Nadella will keep making what, IMHO, are good strategic moves.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-05-01T15:54:23+00:00

    Thanks Rohn for your thoughrful reply. I never knew of or used QEMM. I will consider using the Feedback sites. I was a big Bill Gates fan while he was running the company in the early days (I graduated from UCLA in computer engineering in 1964). 

    I listen to a podcast you might appreciate called Windows Weekly hosted by Leo LaPorte. They cover MS fairly objectively and are not afraid to be critical or to even laugh at how bad MS can do some things. 

    All this said, I am nowhere close to switching over to Apple. They treat you like children. 

    Thanks again. Have fun dealing with the idiosyncracies of MS just like I do.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-05-01T10:06:07+00:00

    #1

    I hope MS is monitoring these dialogs; they really need to fix the file size issue, they should be embarrassed! 

    #2

    Quit adding "features" and fix the things that are really useful.

    #2

    I fully agree, but that is not the way that MS makes money.  Market more features, faster, does (at least that is what the Marketing monkeys think, and they are the ones who have the attention of management).

    A few MS staffers monitor this forum, but very little in the way of management with power to effect change.

    "MS" is a legal fiction, a corporation, it's only purpose in "life" is to MAKE MONEY. "They" do that very well. Some of their employees, real people, do feel shame and responsibility for the quality of the products they work on.

    The best place to complain about this problem is now the "Feedback" process MS has created in the last couple of years. Submit a new feedback, or vote and comment on an existing one (if one shows up as you are creating you subject line). AND copy the link and post it back here so the other people on this question can also more easily find it and vote for it. There is no guarantee of action, but it is our best hope. I have seen action taken on several "feedbacks" I've followed. Yes, the percentage is vanishingly small, but it is lightyears better than what we had before "feedback".

    **********************

    Send Feedback to MS Developers**:**Launch Feedback Hub via  <WIN><F>

    “Official” MS does not pay much attention to this forum. However, you now can send your complaints and feature requests directly to MS developers and managers using one of the 4 possible “Feedback” mechanisms described in this link:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/send-feedback-to-ms-developers/506e7654-8ced-405b-911e-c58d8f253069

    Please post a share link to your feedback, back here, so other people who find your question will be able to vote for it and add their comments to it.

    Collection of MS “UserVoice” web links:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows\_10-desktop/ms-suggestion-box-sites-at-usdervoicecom/7397119c-6d48-49e6-8d94-7bd0a50d214f

    *************************

    And yes I remember QDOS.  Did you ever use QEMM? It did "windows" better than windows did with less resources.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments