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Short answer: Use Windows Storage for categories and WizTree for paths when a category does not explain where space went.
By DiskAnalyzer editorial resource · Published 2026-10-05 · Documentation reviewed 2026-10-05
When this guide is useful
If Apps appears unusually large, inspect where the installed application stores its data. The program directory and the user's data directory may both contribute, while the app list may report an estimate.
Recommended workflow
- Open Settings and check Storage.
- Note the drive and available space.
- Scan the same drive in WizTree.
- Compare individual paths with the Windows categories.
Limits and precautions
The two tools organize information differently, so category totals need not map one to one.
Keep a useful record
Record the drive or folder, scan time, application version and the measurement you used. Keep observations separate from proposed changes. If a result leads to a cleanup, record the file owner, backup status and actual free-space change. This makes the result easier to review and helps explain differences in a later scan.
Quick review checklist
| Question | What to record |
|---|---|
| What did you inspect? | The exact volume or folder, not just the PC name. |
| What action is justified? | Compare individual paths with the Windows categories. |
| What could go wrong? | The two tools organize information differently, so category totals need not map one to one. |
Next steps
If the result is unclear, preserve the current report and narrow the investigation to one folder or application. Make one approved change at a time, then repeat the relevant measurement. Avoid presenting a predicted saving as a measured outcome.
Related guides
- Your First WizTree Scan on Windows
- Investigate Disk Usage on Windows 10
- Use Portable WizTree for a Storage Audit
- Read WizTree Tree View Without Losing the Path
Download information · How we verify guidance
Sources and verification
- WizTree developer documentation
- WizTree developer FAQ
- WizTree developer download notes
- Microsoft Windows storage guidance
Prepared from public documentation and practical storage-audit reasoning. No hands-on Windows test or independent binary inspection was performed for this publication. Menu names and package requirements can change; check the developer documentation for your installed version.