Windows 11: 3 Easiest Ways to Find Large Files

Running out of space on your Windows 11 PC? You’re not alone! Whether it’s a forgotten movie download, an old backup, or a massive game installation, large files can quietly eat up your storage and slow down your system. The good news? Windows 11 makes it easier than ever to track down these space hogs and reclaim your disk space.

In this post, we’ll walk you through three simple methods to find large files on your computer. So without further ado, let’s deep dive into the methods to find large files in Windows 11.

Table of Contents

• Methods to Find Large Files on Windows 11
  • Method 1: How to Find Large Files on Windows 11 Using File Explorer
  • How to Find Large Files in Windows 11 by File Type
  • Method 2: How to Find Large Files on Windows 11 Using PowerShell
  • Find Large Files on Windows 11 – FAQs

Methods to Find Large Files on Windows 11

Here in this we have listed the top 3 easy methods that will help you to find the large files in your Windows 1. So keep reading the guide to find the best one.

Method 1: How to Find Large Files on Windows 11 Using File Explorer

Step 1: Open Windows File Explorer

• Open File Explorer by pressing (Windows Key + E).

Step 2: Go to the Drive

• Navigate to the drive you want to search (e.g., C:).

Step 3: Search by Size

• In the search bar, type size:Large (128MB-1GB), size:Huge (1GB-4GB), or size:Giganti c (>4GB).

Step 4: Sort the Files

• Sort by size ( View > Sort by > Size ) to see the biggest offenders first.

How to Find Large Files in Windows 11 by File Type

Step 1: Open File Explorer

• Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E).

Step 2: Go to Drive

• Navigate to the drive you want to search (e.g., C:).

Step 3: Search for File

• In search bar, Type kind:video size:Large. This will show you all the video files that are larger than 128 MB.

Tip: Use file types for targeted searches: type *.iso for ISOs , * .mp4 for videos , etc.

How to Use the Hidden Files Feature?

Click on the View tab, select Show from the dropdown menu and ensure that Hidden items is checked.

Method 2: How to Find Large Files on Windows 11 Using PowerShell

Step 1: Open PowerShell in WIndows

• Press Win + S then on search bar type “Windows PowerShell”

Step 2: Use Sort Command

• Type or copy and paste this command

gci -r| sort -descending -property length | select -first 20 name, length

gci -r| sort -descending -property length | select -first 20 name, length

Command displays the 20 top files in descending order, replace 20 with the number of files to see.

To find by length use this command:to find files over 1GB .

Get-ChildItem-Recurse | Where-Object { $_.Length -ge 1073741824 } | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName

Get-ChildItem-Recurse | Where-Object { $_.Length -ge 1073741824 } | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName

Adjust the 1073741824 value ( 1GB in bytes) to your desired size threshold.

Method 3: How to Find Large Files on Windows 11 Using Command Prompt

Step 1: Opne CMD

• Press Win + S then on search bar type ” Command Prompt “

Step 2: Use FortFile Command

• Type this command

forfiles /S /M * /C "cmd /c if @fsize GEQ 1073741824 echo @path > LgFiles.txt

forfiles /S /M * /C "cmd /c if @fsize GEQ 1073741824 echo @path > LgFiles.txt

Replace size(bytes) with your desired size threshold in bytes (e.g., 1073741824 for 1GB).

Step 3: Check Large File

• Check the “LgFiles.txt” file for your identified large files.

Conclusion

Finding and managing large files on your computer doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using the methods outlined in this guide, you can easily locate large files on Windows 11 and take control of your storage space. Whether you prefer using built-in tools or third-party applications, these Windows 11 large file search techniques will help you keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.

Find Large Files on Windows 11 – FAQs

How do I delete large files on Windows 11?

1. Press (Windows Key + E) to open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the drive you want to search.
3. In the search bar, type size:Large ( 128MB-1GB ), size:Huge ( 1GB-4GB ), or size:Gigantic ( >4GB ).
4. Sort by size to see the biggest files first.

Can I find hidden files?

Yes! In File Explorer, go to View > Show > Hidden items.

What is the easiest way to find large files on Windows 11?

The easiest way to find large files on Windows 11 is to use the built-in File Explorer. Simply open File Explorer, go to the search bar, and type size:>1GB to search for files larger than 1GB. You can adjust the size based on your needs.

Can I use Storage settings to locate large files on Windows 11?

Yes, you can use the Storage settings in Windows 11 to find large files. Go to Settings > System > Storage, then click on “Show more categories” and “Large & unused files” to see a list of large files on your system.

Are there third-party tools available to identify large files on Windows 11?

Yes, there are several third-party tools like TreeSize or WinDirStat that can help you search for large files on Windows 11. These tools provide a visual representation of your disk usage, making it easier to spot large files and folders.

How do I delete large files after finding them on Windows 11?

Once you’ve used one of the methods to find large files on Windows 11, you can delete them by selecting the file and pressing the Delete key, or right-clicking and choosing “Delete.” Be sure to check the file’s importance before deletion to avoid losing valuable data.