WinDirStat

WinDirStat is a free, open-source disk usage analyzer and cleanup assistant for Microsoft Windows. It scans drives, folders, network shares, and MTP devices, then shows results in a file tree, extension list, treemap, flame graph, or sunburst. Users can compare logical and physical sizes, search by name, size, type, or owner, and compare file content hashes to find duplicates. The software can save and reopen scan snapshots, export CSV or JSON reports, and automate scans. Cleanup tools are included, and the program attempts recovery of deleted files from local NTFS, exFAT, and FAT drives. Storage Analytics estimates monthly savings for configurable storage tiers from file sizes and modification ages, but does not move files or configure a storage service. WinDirStat can scan and export permission entries, though its reports do not calculate a user's effective access across group memberships. Downloads include Windows x64, x86, and ARM64 installers, portable archives, and a Microsoft Store package. The project says other Windows versions beyond its listed supported versions are unsupported.

WinDirStat provides several ways to examine storage and includes cleanup and recovery tools. Its permission reporting and storage estimates have specific limits, and the project supports only its listed Windows versions.

WinDirStat suits Windows users who want to inspect disk use, find large or duplicate files, and export scan reports. It is available for personal or commercial use under GPL version 3 or later.

WinDirStat is a free, open-source storage analyzer and cleanup utility for Microsoft Windows. It suits anyone tracking down large files, duplicate content, or unexplained drive usage, from home users to support staff. Its broad visual and reporting toolkit is unusually capable at no cost, but Windows-only support and limited permission analysis make it a poor fit for cross-platform fleets or formal access audits.

Overview

WinDirStat examines drives, folders, network shares, and MTP devices, then turns the results into several complementary views. You can navigate a conventional file tree, sort by extension, or switch to a treemap, flame graph, or sunburst. Comparing logical and physical sizes is useful when apparent folder sizes do not match the space consumed on disk. The program is open source under the GNU GPL version 3 or later and may be used free of charge for personal or commercial work.

Key features

The range of views is the product's central strength. A treemap quickly exposes oversized files, while an extension list shows which file categories dominate a volume. The tree view remains better for tracing a problem back through nested folders, and the flame graph or sunburst can reveal patterns that a list obscures. This flexibility helps with complicated storage investigations, although it is more visual machinery than someone checking one small folder may need.

Scans can target local storage, shared locations, or connected MTP devices. On local NTFS drives, elevated scanning enables accelerated scans, a practical advantage when reviewing large disks. Search filters by name, size, type, or owner, and content-hash comparisons help locate duplicates. Together, those controls support deliberate cleanup instead of deleting whatever happens to look large in a chart.

For recurring work, WinDirStat can save and reopen scan snapshots, export CSV or JSON reports, and automate scans. That makes results easier to archive, compare, or pass to another person. Permission entries can also be scanned and exported, but the output does not determine a specific user's effective access after all group memberships are considered. Treat it as an inventory of entries, not a complete authorization audit.

Storage Analytics estimates monthly savings for configurable storage tiers from file sizes and modification ages. It can inform a tiering discussion, but it neither moves files nor configures a storage service. Cleanup tools are included, and the program attempts recovery of deleted files from local NTFS, exFAT, and FAT drives; recovery should therefore be viewed as an available aid rather than a substitute for a dedicated recovery workflow.

Pricing

WinDirStat costs nothing. The single free plan includes the software for personal or commercial use on Windows, with no trial period or recurring renewal. Because the license is GPL version 3 or later, there is no paid tier that adds seats, quotas, or support commitments; organizations can deploy the same free software, while users who need another operating system must choose a different product.

Platforms

The project supports Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 R2 through 2025, with other Windows versions unsupported. Downloads include Windows x64, x86, and ARM64 installers, portable ZIP and 7z archives, and a Microsoft Store package. There is no macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS edition.

Who it's for

Choose WinDirStat when you need a detailed, free explanation of where Windows storage went, especially across shared folders or removable MTP devices. Its searches, duplicate checks, snapshots, exports, and automation also suit help-desk and maintenance work. Look elsewhere if you require cross-platform coverage, a resolved effective-permissions report, or storage-tier changes performed automatically.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Multiple visualizations, including a treemap, flame graph, and sunburst, let different storage patterns become visible.
• Pro: Hash comparison, flexible search, and scans of shares and MTP devices support targeted cleanup.
• Pro: CSV/JSON export, saved snapshots, and automation make repeat reporting practical.
• Pro: The free GPL license permits personal and commercial use without a subscription.
• Con: Windows-only compatibility excludes macOS, Linux, and mobile users.
• Con: Permission exports do not calculate a user's effective access through group memberships.
• Con: Storage Analytics provides estimates but does not move data or configure a storage service.

Alternatives

Browse the Disk Space Analyzers list for more choices. Pick TreeSize if you want a Windows freemium tool with a free trial and a free plan limited to private, non-commercial use. WizTree is the alternative for macOS and Windows coverage; its Individual Supporter Code costs $25 a month, is perpetual, and is intended for personal use.

Filelight is a free GPL-2.0+ option for Linux and Windows. FolderSizes suits personal users wanting a $30 one-time perpetual license, but its Personal Edition is unavailable to organizations and has lower-priority support. SizeTrend keeps core local-drive and folder analysis free, including cleanup and storage recommendations. Storage Analyser is an Android freemium app with ads in its free plan and app-storage scanning in Pro.

OmniDiskSweeper is a free macOS utility. Disk Usage Analyzer is a free Linux desktop scanner.

Verdict

WinDirStat is the right choice for Windows users who want the broadest free toolkit for locating wasted space, duplicates, and aging files, with exports and repeatable scans included. Its main reasons to look elsewhere are equally clear: it does not run beyond supported Windows versions, and its permission and storage-tier features stop short of full administration.