---
title: "How to Find Large Files on a Mac or Windows 11 PC"
description: "Find the largest files on a Mac or Windows 11 PC with Storage settings, Finder or File Explorer search by size, and a read-only Terminal or PowerShell command."
url: https://thedrive.ai/blog/find-large-files-mac-windows
published: 2026-10-29
updated: 2026-10-29
tags: ["large files", "mac", "windows", "storage", "local files", "file cleanup"]
author: "Bigyan Karki"
publisher: The Drive AI
---

# How to Find Large Files on a Mac or Windows 11 PC

> **TL;DR:** On a Mac, open System Settings > General > Storage, click the Info button next to Documents and sort by Size. On Windows 11, open Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations and look under Large or unused files. For a complete list, type `size:>1GB` in Finder's or File Explorer's search, or run a read-only command in Terminal or PowerShell.

Disclosure: The Drive AI publishes this guide and makes one of the tools in it. The Mac and Windows steps come from Apple's and Microsoft's own help pages, checked in October 2026 (macOS 27 and Windows 11).

A full disk is usually a handful of big files: a video export, an old phone backup, a disk image downloaded once. Every method below only lists files. Nothing is deleted until you choose to.

## How do you find large files on a Mac or PC?

Use the storage page first. On a Mac, System Settings > General > Storage lists your biggest documents, sortable by size. On Windows 11, Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations lists large or unused files. For a full list across every folder, search by size in Finder or File Explorer, or run one read-only Terminal or PowerShell command.

| Method | Mac | Windows 11 | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage settings | General > Storage > Documents | System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations | Your biggest files, picked by the system |
| File search by size | Finder, File Size criterion | File Explorer, `size:` filter | Any folder you search |
| Command line | `find` or `du` in Terminal | `Get-ChildItem` in PowerShell | Everything under a folder, sorted |
| An AI file agent | Desktop app, shared folder | Desktop app, shared folder | A folder's largest files and totals, as one answer |

## How do you find large files on a Mac?

As of October 2026 (macOS 27), Apple gives three ways: Storage settings for a sorted list of large documents, Finder search for files above a size you choose, and Terminal for a complete listing. Start with Storage settings. It needs no setup and shows sizes next to each file.

### Step 1: Open Storage settings and sort Documents by size

Choose **Apple menu > System Settings**, click **General** in the sidebar, then click **Storage** ([Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102624)). Click the **Info** button next to **Documents**. Apple says you can "quickly view large files or downloads by clicking the corresponding button," and sort by **Name**, **Kind**, **Last Accessed** or **Size** near the top of the dialog ([Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-storage-settings-on-mac-mchl3d437fbc/mac)).

**File Browser**, in the same place, shows how much storage each folder uses. The recommendations at the top include **Empty Trash Automatically**, which erases items that have been in the Trash for more than 30 days ([Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/free-up-storage-space-sysp4ee93ca4/mac)).

The dialog has a **Delete** button. Apple's page doesn't say whether it goes through the Trash, so the safer move is **Show in Finder**, then drag the file to the Trash yourself. You can put it back from there.

### Step 2: Search Finder by File Size

In a Finder window, type any search term, then click the **Add** button below the search field. Open the far-left pop-up menu and choose **Other** to add an attribute that isn't listed ([Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/narrow-your-search-results-mh15155/mac)). Pick **File Size**, then set it to **is greater than** a value such as 1 GB.

Click **This Mac** to search everywhere, and click **Save** to keep it as a Smart Folder that updates on its own.

### Step 3: List the largest files in Terminal (read-only)

Terminal gives the most complete answer. Both commands below only read and print. Neither moves or deletes anything.

To list every file over 1 GB in your home folder, with its size, smallest to largest:

```bash
find ~ -type f -size +1G -exec du -h {} + 2>/dev/null | sort -h
```

To see which top-level folders in your home folder are biggest:

```bash
du -sh ~/* 2>/dev/null | sort -h
```

`+1G` means larger than one gigabyte; use `+500M` for 500 MB. `2>/dev/null` hides "Operation not permitted" messages from protected folders.

## How do you find large files on Windows 11?

As of October 2026, Microsoft offers Cleanup recommendations in Settings, which lists large or unused files with the space you'd save, and File Explorer search with a size filter. PowerShell gives a full sorted list. Start with Cleanup recommendations: it's two clicks and shows sizes up front.

### Step 1: Open Cleanup recommendations

Go to **Start > Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations** ([Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/free-up-drive-space-in-windows-85529ccb-c365-490d-b548-831022bc9b32)). Windows groups its suggestions into **Temporary files**, **Large or unused files**, **Files synced to the cloud** and **Unused apps**, and shows how much space each would free. Open **Large or unused files** to see the biggest ones.

**Storage Sense**, also under Storage, can clear temporary files and old Recycle Bin items on a schedule. It's off by default, and it only empties the Downloads folder if you set a time limit for it ([Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-drive-space-with-storage-sense-654f6ada-7bfc-45e5-966b-e24aded96ad5)). It deletes rather than files; to [sort your Downloads folder](https://thedrive.ai/blog/automatically-sort-downloads-folder) instead, use a rule or a workflow.

### Step 2: Search File Explorer by size

Open File Explorer, click **This PC** to search every drive (or open one folder to search only there), and type in the search box:

```
size:>1GB
```

Size is a searchable property and `>` means "greater than" in Windows search syntax ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/lwef/-search-2x-wds-aqsreference)). A Microsoft moderator gave the same filter, `size:>10MB`, in July 2026, and noted that in current Windows 11 the **Search options** command appears on the command bar only once you start a search ([Microsoft Q&A](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5940355/file-explorer-search-options)). Search options also has a **Size** menu of named ranges; an exact value like `size:>1GB` is more predictable. Switch to **Details** view and click the **Size** column to sort.

### Step 3: List the largest files in PowerShell (read-only)

Open **PowerShell** from the Start menu and run:

```powershell
Get-ChildItem -Path $HOME -File -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
  Sort-Object Length -Descending |
  Select-Object -First 20 FullName, @{Name='GB'; Expression={[math]::Round($_.Length / 1GB, 2)}}
```

`Get-ChildItem` gets the items in a location, and `-Recurse` includes every subfolder ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/get-childitem)). The rest sorts by size and prints the 20 biggest with their full paths. It reads and prints only. Change `$HOME` to `C:\` to scan the whole drive; that takes longer, and folders you can't open are skipped.

### What's different on Windows 10?

Only Step 1. Windows 10 has no Cleanup recommendations; Microsoft points to **Disk Cleanup**, found by typing "disk cleanup" in the taskbar search box ([Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/free-up-drive-space-in-windows-85529ccb-c365-490d-b548-831022bc9b32)). File Explorer search and the PowerShell command work the same way.

## Why is my storage still full after deleting large files?

Because deleted files sit in the Trash or Recycle Bin, and they still count until it's emptied. Apple says a file's space "doesn't become available until you empty the Trash" ([Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102624)), and Microsoft says to empty the Recycle Bin "to completely remove them from your device and free up space" ([Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/free-up-drive-space-in-windows-85529ccb-c365-490d-b548-831022bc9b32)).

Check the trash before you empty it. On a Mac, open the Trash, select an item and choose **File > Put Back** to return it to where it came from ([Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/delete-files-and-folders-on-mac-mchlp1093/mac)). On Windows, open the Recycle Bin, right-click the file and choose **Restore**. Once either is emptied, the files are gone unless you have a backup such as Time Machine or File History.

Files in a synced folder (iCloud Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) are deleted from the cloud too when you delete them locally. And large files often have twins. If the list shows the same name twice, [find duplicate files on your computer](https://thedrive.ai/blog/find-duplicate-files-mac-windows) before you delete either copy.

## Which large files are safe to delete?

The ones you made or downloaded and no longer need: installers (`.dmg`, `.exe`, `.msi`) for apps already installed, old video exports, zip files you've already unpacked, and phone backups you've replaced. Leave anything inside system folders, app libraries and the Photos library alone, and remove those through the app that owns them.

Before you delete, move. Put the candidates in a `_Large files to review` folder or on an external drive for a couple of weeks. If nothing breaks, delete the folder. If a file you need is missing later, [finding files on your computer](https://thedrive.ai/blog/why-cant-i-find-files-on-my-computer) covers where things usually end up.

## How does The Drive AI find large files on your computer?

[The Drive AI's desktop app](https://thedrive.ai/desktop) for Mac and Windows lets its file agent work in a folder you share, without uploading the folder. The files stay where they are; the agent keeps a catalogue of names, paths, sizes and dates. Setup is on the [local folders](https://thedrive.ai/integrations/local-folders) page.

In the desktop app, open **Settings › Agent › Share a folder** and pick one, such as your home folder or Downloads. Then ask in plain English:

```
What's taking up the most space in my Documents folder? Show me the 20 largest files and the total.
```

Here is what it does:

- **It ranks files by size under the folder.** The answer lists the largest files anywhere in the folder's subfolders, with their paths, how many files match and their total size.
- **It summarizes the whole folder.** Counts, total size, file types and date range, so one oversized subfolder stands out.
- **It narrows by type, size or date.** "Videos over 1 GB from before 2024" is one request.
- **Nothing moves until you approve a plan.** If you ask it to move or remove files, it shows one plan with a count and samples first. Moves and renames undo as one change. Removed files go to your Mac's Trash or your PC's Recycle Bin, where you restore them yourself, and they still take up space until the trash is emptied.

**The limits.** The computer has to be on with the app running for the agent to read or change files; it can still answer from its catalogue while the device is offline. Sharing folders from a computer comes with the Max plan or any Team plan.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How do I find the largest files on my Mac?

Open System Settings > General > Storage, click the Info button next to Documents and sort by Size. For every file over a set size, search Finder with a File Size criterion, or run find ~ -type f -size +1G in Terminal. Both Finder and Terminal list files without changing them.

### How do I find large files in Windows 11?

Open Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations and look at Large or unused files. For a full list, open File Explorer, click This PC and search size:>1GB, then sort by the Size column. PowerShell's Get-ChildItem with Sort-Object Length lists the 20 largest files in any folder.

### What is the command to find large files on a Mac?

In Terminal, find ~ -type f -size +1G lists every file over 1 GB in your home folder. Add -exec du -h {} + and pipe to sort -h to see sizes sorted. du -sh ~/* | sort -h shows which folders are biggest. Both commands only read and print; neither deletes anything.

### How do I find large files from the Windows command line?

Open PowerShell and run Get-ChildItem -Path $HOME -File -Recurse, piped to Sort-Object Length -Descending and Select-Object -First 20. It lists the 20 largest files under your user folder, biggest first, with full paths. It reads only. The same command works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

### Why does my Mac or PC still show full storage after I deleted files?

Deleted files go to the Trash or Recycle Bin and still use space until you empty it. Check it first and restore anything you need: Put Back on a Mac, Restore on Windows. If the file was in a synced folder such as OneDrive or iCloud Drive, check that service's own trash as well.

---

Start with the biggest five files, not the biggest thousand: a few large files usually hold most of the space. To do it as one request, share the folder from the desktop app and [ask The Drive AI](https://thedrive.ai/ask?prompt=Show+me+the+20+largest+files+in+my+Documents+folder+and+how+much+space+they+take+up+together.&from=blog-find-large-files-mac-windows) with this, or paste it into Claude or ChatGPT with [our connector](https://thedrive.ai/mcp) added: `Show me the 20 largest files in my Documents folder and how much space they take up together.`