How to find Storage Capacity of Your Hard disk in Windows 10/11 [Guide for seniors]

How to find Storage Capacity of Your Hard disk in Windows 10/11 [Guide for seniors]

Discover how to find the storage capacity of your hard disk in Windows 10 and 11 with our user-friendly guide designed specifically for seniors. In just a few simple steps, you’ll learn to check your hard drive space using File Explorer, Settings, and Command Prompt. Our comprehensive guide demystifies complex terminology, providing clear explanations for concepts like GB (Gigabyte) and TB (Terabyte). You'll also learn about HDD and SSD types, their differences, and best practices for managing your storage effectively.

Managing your computer doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding your hard disk's storage capacity, you can avoid performance issues and ensure you have enough space for cherished photos, videos, and important documents. Join us in empowering yourself with technology, and give your digital life the care it deserves!


Knowing how to find your hard disk's storage capacity is vital for ensuring you have enough space for your digital life happening on your PC. So, in this post, we will take you through the steps to find the storage capacity of your hard disk in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Understanding Hard Disk Storage

What is a Hard Disk?

A hard disk is a storage device inside your computer that saves all your data, including your operating system, applications, and personal files. Think of it as a large digital filing cabinet where everything you do on your computer is stored.

Types of Hard Drives: HDD vs. SSD

There are two main types of hard drives:

  • HDD (Hard Disk Drive): A traditional hard drive that uses spinning disks to read and write data. Usually less expensive and available in larger storage capacities.
  • SSD (Solid State Drive): A newer type of drive that uses flash memory to store data. It’s faster and more reliable but often more expensive per gigabyte.

2. Why is Knowing Storage Capacity Important?

Knowing how much storage space you have is crucial for several reasons:

  • Avoiding Data Loss: If your hard drive fills up, there could be a risk of data corruption.
  • Performance: A nearly full hard drive can slow down your computer.
  • Managing Digital Life: Understanding storage capacity helps you make informed decisions about saving files.

3. Finding Your Hard Disk Storage Capacity in Windows 10

Method 1: Using File Explorer

  1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in your taskbar.
  2. Click on This PC on the left side.
  3. Here, you will see your hard drives listed under “Devices and drives.” Each drive will display a bar showing how much space is used and how much is free.

Method 2: Using Settings

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
  2. Type Settings and press Enter.
  3. Click on System and then Storage.
  4. Under the “Storage” section, you can view your drives and their usage statistics.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

  1. Right-click on the Start Menu and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Type wmic logicaldisk get size,freespace,caption and press Enter.
  3. This will display the total size and available space for each hard drive.

4. Finding Your Hard Disk Storage Capacity in Windows 11

Method 1: Using File Explorer

Similar to Windows 10:

  1. Open File Explorer from the taskbar.
  2. Click on This PC on the left.
  3. Here you can see the storage capacity for each drive.

Method 2: Using Settings

  1. Click the Start Menu and select Settings.
  2. Click System and then select Storage.
  3. It will show you how much space you have left and how much is used.

Method 3: Using Windows PowerShell

  1. Right-click the Start Menu and select Windows Terminal.
  2. Type Get-PSDrive and hit Enter.
  3. This command will display the storage capacity of all drives connected to your computer.

If you are using oldest version of Windows, then you can also use disk management option.

Step 1 : Login to Your Windows 10 PC.

Step 2 : Right Click on This PC(My Computer) icon.

[See : How to Make Windows to display My Computer icon on Your desktop]

Step 3 : Click on Manage.

Step 4 : A new Window Will Open,double Click on Storage on the Right Pane.

Step 5 : Now Again,Click on Disk Management.

Step 6 : Wait,for few Seconds until it Process and Open the new Window.

Now You Can See that Capacity of Your Hard disk Space...

How to find Storage Capacity of Your Hard disk in Windows 10, 11 [Guide] - Check on Computer Management tool

Checking Storage on External Drives

You can check the storage capacity of external hard drives by following the same steps in File Explorer or Settings.

Common Terminology Explained

What is GB and TB?

  • GB (Gigabyte): A measurement of storage capacity roughly equivalent to 1,000 megabytes.
  • TB (Terabyte): Equal to 1,000 gigabytes. Typically used to describe larger storage devices.

Meanings of Free and Used Space

  • Free Space: The amount of space on your hard drive that is available for new files.
  • Used Space: The space currently occupied by files and applications.

How to troubleshooting Low Storage Issues

Uninstalling Programs

To free up space:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Apps and then Apps & features.
  3. Browse through the list, click on a program you don't need, and select Uninstall.

Cleaning Up Your Hard Disk

You can use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool:

  1. Type Disk Cleanup in the Start Menu.
  2. Select the drive you want to clean and click OK.
  3. Check the types of files to delete and hit OK.
Hope this was helpful!


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