What is a storage analyzer and why do you need one?
Have you ever wondered what is taking up all your hard drive space? Or why your phone or tablet is running out of storage? If so, you might need a storage analyzer tool.
storage analyzer
A storage analyzer tool is a software application that can scan your computer or device and generate a report that shows you everything that uses disk space. This can include files, folders, programs, videos, photos, music, documents, and more.
Using a storage analyzer tool can help you in many ways. For example, you can:
Find out which files or folders are using the most space and delete them if they are not needed.
Organize your files or folders by size, type, date, or name and move them to different locations or drives.
Identify duplicate files or folders and remove them to avoid wasting space.
Discover hidden files or folders that might be taking up space without your knowledge.
Optimize your disk space usage and improve your device's performance and speed.
In this article, we will show you how to use a storage analyzer tool to find out what is taking up space on your PC or Android device. We will also recommend some of the best free storage analyzer tools for Windows and Android that you can try right now.
How to use a storage analyzer to find out what is taking up space on your PC?
Using a storage analyzer tool to scan your PC is very easy and fast. Here are the general steps that you need to follow:
Download and install a storage analyzer tool of your choice from the list below.
Launch the tool and select the drive or folder that you want to scan. You can scan your entire hard drive or just a specific folder or location.
Wait for the tool to finish scanning and display the results. Depending on the size of your drive or folder and the speed of your PC, this might take a few seconds or minutes.
Analyze the results and see what is using space on your PC. You can view the results in different ways depending on the tool you are using. Some common ways are:
A list view that shows you the files or folders sorted by size, name, type, date, etc.
A graphical view that shows you the files or folders as colored blocks or rectangles of different sizes.
A chart view that shows you the files or folders as pie charts or bar charts of different percentages.
Take action based on the results. You can delete, move, copy, rename, or open the files or folders that you want to manage. You can also use the tool's features to clean up your disk space, such as deleting temporary files, emptying the recycle bin, or uninstalling programs.
That's it! You have successfully used a storage analyzer tool to find out what is taking up space on your PC. Now, let's take a look at some of the best free storage analyzer tools for Windows that you can use.
The best free storage analyzer tools for Windows
There are many storage analyzer tools available for Windows, but not all of them are free or reliable. Here are some of the best free storage analyzer tools for Windows that we recommend:
WinDirStat
WinDirStat is one of the most popular and widely used storage analyzer tools for Windows. It is a free and open-source tool that can scan any drive or folder and display the results in a list view, a graphical view, and a chart view. You can also customize the colors and shapes of the graphical view to suit your preferences.
Some of the features of WinDirStat are:
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It can show you the file types and extensions that are using the most space on your PC.
It can show you the files or folders that are taking up space in a specific location or subfolder.
It can show you the files or folders that have been recently modified or accessed.
It can show you the files or folders that are hidden or system files.
It can show you the files or folders that are compressed or encrypted.
It can show you the files or folders that are shortcuts or hard links.
It can show you the files or folders that are empty or zero bytes.
It can delete, move, copy, rename, or open the files or folders that you want to manage.
It can clean up your disk space by deleting temporary files, emptying the recycle bin, or uninstalling programs.
Some of the pros of WinDirStat are:
It is fast and easy to use.
It is lightweight and portable. You can run it from a USB drive without installing it on your PC.
It is compatible with all versions of Windows from Windows 95 to Windows 10.
Some of the cons of WinDirStat are:
It does not support network drives or cloud storage.
It does not have a built-in search function. You have to use Windows Explorer to search for files or folders.
It does not have a dark mode or a modern interface. It looks outdated and plain.
SpaceSniffer
SpaceSniffer is another free and portable storage analyzer tool for Windows. It can scan any drive or folder and display the results in a graphical view that shows you the files or folders as colored blocks of different sizes. You can also zoom in and out of the graphical view to see more details.
Some of the features of SpaceSniffer are:
It can show you the file types and extensions that are using the most space on your PC.
It can show you the files or folders that are taking up space in a specific location or subfolder.
It can show you the files or folders that have been recently modified or accessed.
It can show you the files or folders that are hidden or system files.
It can show you the files or folders that are compressed or encrypted.
It can delete, move, copy, rename, or open the files or folders that you want to manage.
It can filter the results by name, size, date, attribute, etc.
Some of the pros of SpaceSniffer are:
It is fast and responsive. It can scan your drive or folder in real-time and update the results as you make changes.
It is lightweight and portable. You can run it from a USB drive without installing it on your PC.
It has a modern and attractive interface. It supports dark mode and different themes.
Some of the cons of SpaceSniffer are:
It does not support network drives or cloud storage.
It does not have a list view or a chart view. You have to rely on the graphical view only.
It does not have a built-in disk cleaner or uninstaller. You have to use other tools to clean up your disk space.
TreeSize Free
TreeSize Free is a free and simple storage analyzer tool for Windows. It can scan any drive or folder and display the results in a list view that shows you the files or folders sorted by size, name, type, date, etc. You can also expand or collapse the list view to see more details.
Some of the features of TreeSize Free are:
It can show you the file types and extensions that are using the most space on your PC.
It can show you the files or folders that are taking up space in a specific location or subfolder.
It can show you the files or folders that have been recently modified or accessed.
It can show you the files or folders that are hidden or system files.
It can show you the files or folders that are compressed or encrypted.
It can delete, move, copy, rename, or open the files or folders that you want to manage.
It can filter the results by name, size, date, attribute, etc.
Some of the pros of TreeSize Free are:
It is fast and easy to use.
It is lightweight and portable. You can run it from a USB drive without installing it on your PC.
It supports network drives and cloud storage. You can scan your remote or online locations with TreeSize Free.
Some of the cons of TreeSize Free are:
It does not have a graphical view or a chart view. You have to rely on the list view only.
It does not have a dark mode or a modern interface. It looks outdated and plain.
It does not have a built-in disk cleaner or uninstaller. You have to use other tools to clean up your disk space.
Windows 10's Built-In Storage Usage Tool
If you are using Windows 10, you don't need to download any third-party tool to analyze your storage usage. Windows 10 has a built-in tool that can show you what is taking up space on your PC. You can access it from the Settings app under System > Storage.
The built-in storage usage tool can show you:
The total capacity and free space of your drives.
The amount of space used by different categories such as apps, games, documents, pictures, videos, music, etc.
The amount of space used by temporary files, recycle bin, downloads, etc.
The amount of space used by system files, reserved storage, etc.
You can also click on each category to see more details and manage the files or folders within them. You can delete, move, copy, rename, or open the files or folders that you want to manage. You can also use the tool's features to clean up your disk space, such as deleting temporary files, emptying the recycle bin, or uninstalling programs.
Some of the pros of Windows 10's built-in storage usage tool are:
It is convenient and easy to use. You don't need to download or install anything to use it.
It is integrated with Windows 10's settings and features. You can access it from anywhere in the Settings app.
It supports network drives and cloud storage. You can scan your remote or online locations with the tool.
Some of the cons of Windows 10's built-in storage usage tool are:
It is not very detailed or accurate. It does not show you the file types and extensions that are using the most space on your PC.
It does not show you the files or folders that are hidden or system files. It only shows you the categories that Windows 10 recognizes.
It does not have a graphical view or a chart view. You have to rely on the list view only.
It does not have a dark mode or a modern interface. It looks bland and boring.
The best free storage analyzer tools for Android
If you are using an Android device, you might also want to use a storage analyzer tool to find out what is taking up space on your phone or tablet. Here are some of the best free storage analyzer tools for Android that we recommend:
Storage Analyzer by R J Hart Software
Storage Analyzer by R J Hart Software is a free and powerful storage analyzer tool for Android. It can scan your device and display the results in a list view, a graphical view, and a chart view. You can also customize the colors and shapes of the graphical view to suit your preferences.
Some of the features of Storage Analyzer by R J Hart Software are:
It can show you the file types and extensions that are using the most space on your device.
It can show you the files or folders that are taking up space in a specific location or subfolder.
It can show you the files or folders that have been recently modified or accessed.
It can show you the files or folders that are hidden or system files.
It can show you the files or folders that are compressed or encrypted.
It can delete, move, copy, rename, or open the files or folders that you want to manage.
It can filter the results by name, size, date, attribute, etc.
Some of the pros of Storage Analyzer by R J Hart Software are:
It is fast and easy to use.
It is lightweight and portable. You don't need to root your device to use it.
It supports internal storage, external storage, and cloud storage. You can scan your local or online locations with the tool.
Some of the cons of Storage Analyzer by R J Hart Software are:
It has ads and in-app purchases. You have to pay to remove the ads and unlock some features.
It does not have a dark mode or a modern interface. It looks outdated and plain.
It does not have a built-in disk cleaner or uninstaller. You have to use other tools to clean up your disk space.
DiskUsage by Ivan Volosyuk
DiskUsage by Ivan Volosyuk is another free and portable storage analyzer tool for Android. It can scan your device and display the results in a graphical view that shows you the files or folders as colored blocks of different sizes. You can also zoom in and out of the graphical view to see more details.
Some of the features of DiskUsage by Ivan Volosyuk are:
It can show you the file types and extensions that are using the most space on your device.
It can show you the files or folders that are taking up space in a specific location or subfolder.
It can show you the files or folders that have been recently modified or accessed.
It can show you the files or folders that are hidden or system files.
It can delete, move, copy, rename, or open the files or folders that you want to manage.
Some of the pros of DiskUsage by Ivan Volosyuk are:
It is fast and responsive. It can scan your device in real-time and update the results as you make changes.
It is lightweight and portable. You don't need to root your device to use it.
It supports internal storage, external storage, and cloud storage. You can scan your local or online locations with the tool.
Some of the cons of DiskUsage by Ivan Volosyuk are:
It does not have a list view or a chart view. You have to rely on the graphical view only.
It does not have a dark mode or a modern interface. It looks outdated and plain.
It does not have a built-in disk cleaner or uninstaller. You have to use other tools to clean up your disk space.
Files by Google
Files by Google is a free and multifunctional tool for Android that can help you manage your files and disk space on your device. It can scan your device and display the results in a list view that shows you the files or folders sorted by size, name, type, date, etc. You can also expand or collapse the list view to see more details.
Some of the features of Files by Google are:
It can show you the file types and extensions that are using the most space on your device.
It can show you the files or folders that are taking up space in a specific location or subfolder.
It can show you the files or folders that have been recently modified or accessed.
It can show you the files or folders that are hidden or system files.
It can delete, move, copy, rename, or open the files or folders that you want to manage.
It can clean up your disk space by deleting temporary files, emptying the recycle bin, or uninstalling programs.
It can also help you to share files with other devices, backup your files to cloud storage, or find files faster with smart suggestions.
Some of the pros of Files by Google are:
It is convenient and easy to use. You don't need to download or install anything to use it. It comes pre-installed on most Android devices.
It is integrated with Google's services and features. You can access it from anywhere in the Google app.
It has a modern and attractive interface. It supports dark mode and different themes.
Some of the cons of Files by Google are:
It does not have a graphical view or a chart view. You have to rely on the list view only.
It does not show you the files or folders that are compressed or encrypted.
It does not have a filter function. You have to use the search function to find files or folders by name, size, date, attribute, etc.
How to free up disk space after using a storage analyzer?
After using a storage analyzer tool to find out what is taking up space on your device, you might want to free up some disk space by deleting unnecessary files or folders. Here are some tips and tricks on how to do that:
Delete temporary files, cache files, log files, or other junk files that are not needed by your system or applications. You can use the built-in disk cleaner or uninstaller of your storage analyzer tool or another tool like CCleaner to do that.
Delete duplicate files or folders that are taking up space twice or more on your device. You can use a tool like Duplicate Cleaner or Duplicate File Finder to do that.
Delete old or unused files or folders that you don't need anymore. These can include downloads, documents, pictures, videos, music, etc. You can use the built-in delete function of your storage analyzer tool or another tool like Eraser to do that.
Move large or important files or folders to an external drive or cloud storage. This can free up some disk space on your device and also keep your files safe and accessible. You can use the built-in move function of your storage analyzer tool or another tool like Google Drive or Dropbox to do that.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you what is a storage analyzer tool and why do you need one. We have also shown you how to use a storage analyzer tool to find out what is taking up space on your PC or Android device. We have also recommended some of the best free storage analyzer tools for Windows and Android that you can try right now. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you.
If you want to learn more about storage analyzer tools or other related topics, please feel free to browse our website for more articles. You can also leave us a comment below if you have any questions or feedback. We would love to hear from you!
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers related to storage analyzer tools:
What is the difference between disk space and storage space?
Disk space and storage space are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing. Disk space refers to the physical capacity of your hard drive or solid state drive (SSD) that can store data. Storage space refers to the logical capacity of your drive that is available for storing data after formatting and partitioning. For example, if you have a 1 TB hard drive and you format it into two partitions of 500 GB each, then your disk space is still 1 TB but your storage space is 500 GB each. You can increase or decrease your storage space by changing the size or number of partitions on your drive.
How much disk space or storage space do I need?
The answer to this question depends on your personal needs and preferences. Generally, the more disk space or storage space you have, the better. However, you also have to consider the cost and performance of your drive. For example, SSDs are faster and more reliable than hard drives, but they are also more expensive and have lower capacities. You also have to consider the type and size of the files or folders that you want to store on your drive. For example, if you store a lot of videos, photos, music, or games, you will need more disk space or storage space than if you store only documents or text files.
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 10% of free disk space or storage space on your drive at all times. This can help you avoid running out of space and improve your device's performance and speed. You can also use a storage analyzer tool to check your disk space or storage space usage and free up some space if needed.
How often should I use a storage analyzer tool?
There is no fixed answer to this question, but it is a good idea to use a storage analyzer tool regularly to keep track of your disk space or storage space usage and optimize it. You can use a storage analyzer tool whenever you notice that your device is running slow, lagging, crashing, or showing errors related to low disk space or storage space. You can also use a storage analyzer tool before or after installing or uninstalling programs, downloading or deleting files or folders, or backing up or restoring data. You can also use a storage analyzer tool as part of your routine maintenance or cleaning of your device.
Are storage analyzer tools safe to use?
Most storage analyzer tools are safe to use, as long as you download them from reputable sources and scan them for viruses or malware before using them. However, you should also be careful when using a storage analyzer tool, as some of them might have bugs, errors, or malicious features that can harm your device or data. For example, some storage analyzer tools might delete, move, copy, rename, or open files or folders without your permission or confirmation. Some storage analyzer tools might also collect or share your personal information or data without your consent or knowledge.
To avoid these risks, you should always read the reviews and ratings of the storage analyzer tools before downloading them. You should also check the permissions and settings of the storage analyzer tools before using them. You should also backup your data before using a storage analyzer tool, in case something goes wrong and you lose your files or folders.
Can I use a storage analyzer tool on other devices besides PC and Android?
Yes, you can use a storage analyzer tool on other devices besides PC and Android, such as Mac, iOS, Linux, etc. However, you might need to find a different storage analyzer tool that is compatible with your device's operating system and features. You can search online for the best storage analyzer tools for your device and compare their features, pros, and cons before choosing one. 44f88ac181
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