Finding large files on Windows can be achieved through system tools and third-party software. ① Use the File Explorer search function, enter "size:>Large" or specify the size such as "size:>100MB" in the search box, and sort it by size, suitable for the situation where the approximate location is known; ② View the large file list classified by the system through "Settings>System>Storage>Large Files" and clean up useless files; ③ Use tools such as WinDirStat or TreeSize Free to generate visual charts, scan the entire disk to visually display the file usage, which is suitable for in-depth investigation. The three methods have their own applicable scenarios. The system comes with tools to meet daily needs, and third-party software provides more comprehensive analysis.

It is actually not difficult to find large files on Windows, the key is to use the right method. The system comes with some small tricks to quickly locate files that occupy a lot of space.

Use the system's own search function to find large files

Windows File Explorer itself supports filtering files by size, which is one of the most straightforward ways.

• Open any folder (such as "this computer" or a specific drive letter)
• Enter size:> in the search box in the upper right corner, and then select "Large" or "Extra Large". You can also manually enter conditions such as size:>100MB
• The system will automatically list files that meet the size requirements, and it will be clearer after sorting by the "Size" column.

This method is suitable for situations where you already know about which area there are large files, such as documents, download directories, etc.

Use the Disk Cleanup Tool to analyze storage

Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in "Storage" settings to help you see which files take up a lot of space.

• Open Settings > System > Storage
• Click on the "Temporary File" or "Large File" option for "This Computer"
• In "large files", you can see the list of files classified by the system that exceeds a certain volume (usually more than 50MB)

Not only can you see large files here, but you can also delete some useless things, such as caches, installation packages, etc., which are suitable for those who want to clean up.

Third-party tools make searches more efficient

If you want to see the file distribution of the entire system more comprehensively and intuitively, third-party tools will be a better choice.

Software like WinDirStat or TreeSize Free can generate visual charts to clearly show which folder and which file occupies the most space.

The steps for use are roughly as follows:

• Download and install WinDirStat (free)
• After startup, select the drive letter to scan
• The software will generate a color-differentiated bar chart, and you can see the specific large file by clicking in.
• You can right-click to delete or open the location to further process

This type of tool is more suitable for scenarios where in-depth investigations and unclear the specific location of large files.

Basically, these methods are the functions that come with the system are enough to deal with daily searches. If you really need to analyze in depth, using a visualization tool is more efficient.

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