WinDirstat vs. TreeSize

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Do you ever wonder how much space your files take up on your hard drive? You don’t need to purchase additional software to accomplish this, as Windows has built-in tools that can give you the information you’re looking for. In this article, we will compare two of these tools and explain how to use them in more detail so that you can decide which tool will work best for you. Let’s begin!

What is WinDirstat?

The WinDirStat graphical disk usage analyzer is free and open-source. The WinDirStat offers many more features, such as sorting by drive letter, size of folders, or several files, deleting unwanted data, and exporting to CSV format. However, it is commercial software with a price tag ranging from $20 to $100 per license per PC (note that prices vary depending on the country).

The program also offers both a portable version and an installer version. Other limitations include not being able to create reports, no scheduled scans, no search function for contents of directories, no undelete function for deleted files, no export function for directory listings in HTML or XML formats, and limited network scanning capabilities, and inability to run under Windows 2000.

Read More: WinZip vs. WinRAR: What’s the Difference?

What is TreeSize?

TreeSize is a file system space analyzer made by JAM Software. It displays the size of directories and their subdirectories in either a treemap or an outline view, with the size indicated next to each node. The directory and subdirectory sizes are calculated recursively until no more detail can be shown.

It has functions to quickly show what parts of your disk take up most of its space (by extension or type), find folders containing large files or folders, and provide insight into how you use your computer and how it’s functioning.

Key Differences Between WinDirstat and TreeSize

  1. WinDirStat is open source while TreeSize is not.
  2. WinDirStat is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, while TreeSize is only available for Windows.
  3. WinDirStat can show you what is taking up the most space on your hard drive at a glance, while TreeSize cannot.
  4. WinDirStat can be used to free up space on your hard drive by deleting unnecessary files, while TreeSize cannot.
  5. WinDirStat can find large unused files that are wasting space on your hard drive while TreeSize cannot.
  6. TreeSize does not display filenames or sizes in the same way as WinDirStat does, making it difficult to know where to look first when trying to find out how much storage space certain types of files are using on your computer.
  7. TreeSize does not work with NTFS volumes, whereas WinDirStat does

Features: WinDirstat vs. TreeSize

  • WinDirStat is an open-source disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for Windows.
  • TreeSize is a commercial disk space analyzer for Windows that shows the size of folders, subfolders, and files in a directory tree.
  • Both tools have a graphical user interface that shows a pie chart or treemap of data usage, as well as a list of the biggest files and folders.
  • TreeSize can also compare two directories to see what’s different, showing a duplicate finder that finds all duplicate files on your computer.
  • Unlike TreeSize, WinDirStat does not allow you to copy the results to another application.

Technical Support: WinDirstat vs. TreeSize

Regarding technical support, both WinDirstat and TreeSize offer online documentation and forums. However, only WinDirstat offers email support. In terms of phone support, neither company offers this service. For those who prefer a video tutorial, WinDirstat has one available on YouTube, but TreeSize does not.

Supported OS: WinDirstat vs. TreeSize

Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Server 2016, 2012 R2, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008, 2003 R2, 2003. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are supported. The trial version of WinDirStat is free for 30 days.
The website includes a comprehensive user manual in English that provides visual and text instructions for advanced users.

Cost: WinDirstat vs. TreeSize

Both WinDirStat and TreeSize are free. However, WinDirStat is open source, while TreeSize is not. This means that with WinDirStat, you can view and modify the source code if you so choose. Additionally, WinDirStat is available in over 25 languages, while TreeSize is only available in English.

Installation: WinDirstat vs. TreeSize

Both WinDirStat and TreeSize are available as portable applications, meaning that no installation is required. Simply download the ZIP file, extract it to a folder, and run the executable. Both are open-source software.

Read More: Windows vs. Linux: What’s the Difference?

Licensing: WinDirstat vs. TreeSize

When it comes to licensing, WinDirStat and TreeSize are both free and open-source software. This means you can download, install, and use them without paying for a license. However, there are some differences between the two programs. The main difference is in the way they compare disk usage.

Whereas TreeSize compares your disk usage in terms of folders and files, WinDirStat shows each folder uses the size of each file on your computer and how much space you have on your computer.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a tool to help you manage your disk space, WinDirStat and TreeSize are great options. However, there are some key differences between the two. WinDirStat is a free, open-source tool, while TreeSize is a paid tool. WinDirStat gives you more detailed information about your disk usage, while TreeSize provides an easier-to-understand interface. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your needs and preferences.