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Windows Explorer Not Reporting Storage Correctly

Anonymous
2021-02-15T02:20:48+00:00

I have a 250GB SK Hynix SSD installed on my computer. I'm running the latest version of Windows 10 Home. Windows Explorer reports that I've used 116 GB, whereas WinDirStat says I've used 79.4 GB. The storage menu in the settings app reports that I've used 132 GB. 

I'm bewildered as to why these three programs report so differently. Is there any way I can tell the real amount of storage I've used?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-02-15T03:05:05+00:00

    Hi Kaiyin. I'm Greg, awarded MVP for eleven years, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

    We see a lot of reports about Storage Usage settings misreporting files by a huge amount. Recently I've begun to see the same for File Explorer.

    I see your ran WinDirStat. To cross-check this you can install TreeSize to get a visual picture of what's eating up drive space. See how here:

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/map-hardrive-u.... If they agree I would trust them most.

    Run a full Disk Check to check over the file system: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri...

    Run a full scan with the most powerful on-demand free scanner Malwarebytes:

    https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/.

    In the Scan Settings first set it to include scanning for Rootkits.

    If necessary run it in Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

    Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean.

    Then run a full scan with AdwCleaner from http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcle.... Clean Up anything found.

    Check for any remainders in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and also in each of your browser's Extensions, Home Page settings, Search service or Add-On's as shown here: https://community.box.com/t5/How-to-Guides-for-...

    Then check for damaged System Files: https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow...

    If it cannot repair them see Step 10 here to continue: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    If these don't fix it continue with the rest of the steps in the checklist in link just above.

    If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool and then choosing to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

    If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can turn off its Real Time trial version in it's Settings > Account Details tab.

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-02-16T01:22:02+00:00

    Kai -

    Is the issue resolved now then?

    BTW/FWIW:

    No expert in Forums - where we see the most cases, by the thousands - recommends Avast, AVG. Norton or McAfee, but we have solved many problems over the years by having them uninstalled.

     I would uninstall any 3rd party antivirus in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features and try running only built-in Defender which gives adequate protection, best Windows performance, least issues, and is from Microsoft who knows how to protect their OS best.

    After uninstalling run the cleanup tool for the AV here:  
    https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2625/

    Restart the PC, then type Security in Start Search, open Windows Defender and Firewall Settings, there and in Windows Defender Security Center fix anything that's flagged.  

    Next download, install and run a full scan with the best on-demand scanner  Malwarebytes from https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/
    In it's Settings > Protection > Scan Options enable Scan for Rootkits.  
    Then on Scan tab choose Threat Scan and Run Scan.  
    Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean.

    Download, install and run a full scan with the AdwCleaner from http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/.  Clean up anything it finds and restart PC.  

    Next check for damaged System Files by running System File Checker from Step 10 in this checklist:
    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/wiki/windows\_10-performance/windows-10-performance-and-install-integrity/75529fd4-fac7-4653-893a-dd8cd4b4db00

    If this is not enough then move to Step 11 to do a Repair Install which saves your files, apps and settings while reinstalling Windows, solves most problems.  

    If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can disable its Real Time trial version in it's Settings > Accounts tab.  

    I hope this helps.  Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted.  If you will wait to choose if I resolved your problem,  I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer:   There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-02-16T01:11:52+00:00

    Hi Greg,

    I greatly appreciate the effort you put into your reply. I went through every step and followed it precisely as described in the articles.

    It turns out, as a matter of fact, WinDirStat missed many files in every directory (especially in the Program Files folder), and Windows Explorer was right.

    The disk check and the SFC command revealed no problems with the hard drive or the file system. However, upon scanning the whole C drive with Malwarebytes, it detected 13 malicious software that my current antimalware program, McAfee LiveSafe, somehow missed.

    Thanks for your help,

    Kai

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