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.

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Answer accepted by question author
DaveM121 931.2K 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/

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-06-28T19:15:44+00:00

    What you are seeing may be a bug, but it can be true for compressed folders.

    A compressed folder with 1GB (size on disk) may contains 2GB of files. 

    Explorer will also expand a zip file just like folder.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-23T19:35:45+00:00

    I have same problem with built 1803 Pro.

    @rwb1012 --> It's not compressed folder. We are talking about just regular folder. Parent folder have size 100GB and select all folders and files inside it will show property 350GB. No matter have many times you refresh it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-09-01T13:45:02+00:00

    Great fix.  It’s nice to know I have not screwed up my assistant’s new computer or her files, which I just moved. Now I know the job is done.

    I am mostly to busy and stressed to cooment, but you guys who post fixes here are part of what really makes America great.

    P.S. I use the free or pay version of Folder Size, another great American product, maybe just American in spirit.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-09-05T22:45:31+00:00

    I have the exact same problem on Windows 10 Home (Version 1803 (OS Build 17134.112)). Really annoying. Wrong calculation (like 150gb are missing!!!) for parent folder, and when I go into the folder and select the folders contained in it, it gives me a different total size, which is STILL inaccurate.

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