Thread: Vista, 7 Trace the biggest files

You are searching for the biggest space hog in a particular folder structure, but wish there was a tool or method with which you can identify the biggest files on a drive.

This job is easily possible with Vistal7 with Windows tools. Use Windows PowerShell for that, which you can run using the search field of the Start menu. Thus you can automate the respective query by sorting and filtration. Principally, we want to first generate a list of all the files in a folder including the sub-folders. Then sort this list as per the size of the file and finally allow only the first elements of it to be displayed. In PowerShell you can connect all the necessary commands and create a single line to type in. You can generate the list of all the files of the respective folder including the sub-folder with the command 'Get-Childltem [folder]-recurse'. The parameter '-recurse' includes all sub-folders in the search. Instead of 'Get-Child Item' you can also use the usual alias 'dir' (directory). In the next step sort the contents in descending sequence as per the size of the file via 'Sort-Object length -descending'. You must connect both the commands with the pipe symbol 'I' in a line, so that the result of the first command is at disposal of the second command. Similarly filter the first twenty events with 'Select- bject-first 20', thus showing you the 20 iggest files. Finally add the command riteOutput' for display. The complete ommand is as follows: Get-childitem [folder] -recurse I sort*bject length -descending I select-object first 20 I write-output You can copy the complete command from a text file in the Iipboard, instead of entering it newly. hen change to PowerShell. Paste the ontent by a right click with the mouse stead of the usual button combination Ctrl]+[V].