How to Check a Disk for Free Space

As large as a hard disk seems when you first purchase a computer, it often fills up quickly as you begin to install programs and save files. Depending upon what programs and files you load onto your hard disk, even a large hard disk may bloat with data, which can potentially slow your computer. You can easily check a disk for free space to determine whether you have enough room to install new software or whether you need to remove some programs from your computer.

Step 1

Click the Windows “Start” button and select “Computer."

Step 2

Right-click on the disk you wish to check and select “Properties.”

Step 3

View the pie chart that shows used space and free space on your disk. Blue represents used space and pink represents free space.

Tip

• Windows 7 users who wish to see only a bar instead of a pie chart can view the basic information presented within “Computer.” The bar beneath each disk on your computer system shows total storage space on each disk, the amount of storage space you are using and the amount of free space.

References

• Computer Hope: Determining Available Hard Drive Space

About the Author

Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator and regular contributor to "Natural News." She is an accomplished gardener, seamstress, quilter, crocheter, painter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator and she enjoys technical and computer gadgets. Hatter's Internet publications specialize in natural health and she plans to continue her formal education in the health field, focusing on nursing.

Photo Credits

• computer image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com