How to check hard disk size, storage space in Windows and Mac

If you aren’t sure about your hard disk drive’s total capacity, or just want to know how to check the hard disk size in a laptop, checking your storage details is the quickest way to find out. Both Windows and macOS come with built-in options that show your drive size, how much space you’ve used, and what’s taking up space. Here’s how to check your hard disk size and storage space on both Windows and macOS.

How to check hard disk size and storage space on Windows and macOS

There are a few different ways to check your hard disk size and see how much storage you have left, and both Windows and macOS offer easy ways to find this information quickly. Most modern Windows PCs, laptops, and Macs now use SSDs, which work the same way as traditional hard drives for checking total capacity and available space, so the process stays simple across devices.

Checking hard disk size and storage space on Windows

Step 1: Using File Explorer

You can check your hard disk capacity on Windows quickly using File Explorer. Open it from the taskbar or by pressing Windows + E,  and then select “This PC” from the left sidebar. Under Devices and drives, your hard disk will appear with a bar showing how much space is used and how much is free. You can also right-click the drive and choose Properties to get a full breakdown of used space, free space, and total capacity.

Step 2: Using Settings

Another simple option is via the Settings menu. Open the Start menu, click Settings, go to System, and select Storage. This will show you how much space is used as well as the space available on your main drive, along with categories like apps, documents, photos, and temporary files.

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Step 3: Using Disk Management

Disk Management gives you a more detailed view of your drives. Press Windows + X and select Disk Management to see a list of all connected drives and partitions. To see the overall capacity and available space of any drive, simply right-click on it and select Properties.

Checking hard disk size and storage space on Mac

Step 1: Using About This Mac

The quickest way to check your hard disk space on macOS is via the Apple menu. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner, then select About This Mac, and open the Storage tab. This will give you an overview of the total hard disk size on your Mac, used space, available space, and a breakdown of what’s taking up storage.

Step 2: Using Settings

You can also check your hard disk storage information from Mac settings. Open Settings, go to General, and click Storage. This page shows your total drive capacity, available space, and a detailed list of items that are currently using storage on your Mac.

Step 3: Using Disk Utility

Disk Utility gives you a fuller look at your drive. Open Launchpad, go to Other, and select Disk Utility. Your hard disk drive appears in the left panel, along with information on available space, total capacity, and all volumes linked to the drive.