Regardless of how much storage your Windows PC boasts, the day will inevitably come when you face storage limitations. The remedy lies in swiftly identifying and eliminating large files that are silently occupying precious space on your device. In this guide, we will dive into effective ways to pinpoint these files and reclaim your storage.
How to Leverage PC Manager for Quick Large File Identification
If you seek a straightforward and user-friendly method to find large files on your Windows computer, look no further than the PC Manager app. Unlike most complex storage tools, PC Manager enables you to generate a comprehensive list of large files effortlessly.
Before we begin, ensure you download PC Manager from the Microsoft Store since it doesn’t come pre-installed on Windows.
Download: PC Manager (Free)
Note that PC Manager may not be available in all regions; if it’s unsupported in your area, you won’t be able to find it in the Microsoft Store.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to use PC Manager for identifying large files:
- Open the PC Manager app on your computer.
- Navigate to the Storage tab and select Large Files.
- In the opened window, you’ll see a comprehensive list of all large files along with the total space they’re utilizing.
- The program defines large files as anything exceeding 10 MB, but you can customize this by clicking on the Size dropdown menu in the top-right and selecting options like 50 MB, 100 MB, or even 1 GB.
- Utilize the filters at the top to refine your list based on file type, such as documents, pictures, videos, ZIP files, etc.
- Select the files you want to address by checking the boxes next to them.
- Click Move to relocate files or Permanently Delete to remove them entirely from your system.
Be cautious: using the Permanently Delete option in PC Manager will erase files completely, making recovery impossible from the Recycle Bin. Always double-check before proceeding with deletions!
You have successfully navigated the process of removing large files using PC Manager. This approach is ideal for those who prefer an efficient, no-fuss method of managing their storage.
Beyond identifying large files, PC Manager offers additional features that enhance your storage management capabilities, including duplicate file detection, organizing downloads, and optimization tools to boost system performance.
Uncovering Large Files by Size or Type Using File Explorer
While PC Manager is superb for quick large file identification, Windows File Explorer is another fantastic tool that allows enhanced flexibility in filtering and sorting files without needing an additional app. Whether you’re searching for sizable executable files or specific video formats, File Explorer provides an efficient means to target exactly what you need.
To harness File Explorer’s capabilities for finding large files on your Windows PC, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + E to launch File Explorer.
- Select This PC to initiate a search across your entire computer or target a specific directory or drive.
- In the search bar, enter size:gigantic and hit Enter to display files larger than 128 MB. For broader searches, you can also utilize size:large (1-16 MB) or size:huge (16-128 MB).For even finer results, enter size:>300MB to find files exceeding that threshold.
Once you execute your search query, you can click on View > Details to examine files along with their respective sizes. Additionally, you can organize the results by clicking the Size header.
Another advantage of File Explorer is the ability to combine search filters, yielding more refined results. For example, searching for *.mov size:>300MB will yield MOV files larger than 300 MB, while *.exe size:>100MB specifically finds EXE files of that size.
Mastering these file search techniques will grant you greater control over your digital files, allowing for effective organization and management.
As your usage climbs and your PC encounters storage hurdles, remember: both PC Manager for one-click convenience and File Explorer for detailed file searching can help you efficiently locate and manage large files. Choose the method that best suits your personal preference, and take decisive action to reclaim your storage space!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I know if PC Manager is available in my region?
You can check the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC to see if PC Manager appears; if it does not, it’s likely not available in your country.
2. Are there any risks associated with using the “Permanently Delete”function in PC Manager?
Yes, files deleted using this function are not sent to the Recycle Bin and cannot be recovered, so it’s crucial to verify the files you wish to delete before using this feature.
3. Can File Explorer be used effectively to find large files on external drives?
Absolutely! File Explorer can search for large files on both your internal drive and any connected external drives, giving you comprehensive search capabilities.
Leave a Reply ▼