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Yarisyoyo's avatar
Yarisyoyo
Bronze Contributor
Aug 19, 2025

How to display the number of files and size preview in a folder in Windows File Explorer?

Currently, the preview pane in Windows File Explorer does not display the number of files in a folder or the total size. Is there a hidden setting in the system that can enable this feature? If there is no native support, are there any reliable third-party software or plugins that can achieve this?

1 Reply

  • pradejain's avatar
    pradejain
    Iron Contributor
    Aug 19, 2025

    Yarisyoyo​ No hidden Windows settings to make the Preview pane (or Details pane) show a folder’s total size. Microsoft avoids live folder-size calculations in Explorer for performance reasons. The Details pane can show basic info (like “contains X items”), but not the cumulative size

    You can use 

    • WizTree (very fast; reads NTFS MFT): instant folder sizes, treemap, top space hogs.
    • TreeSize Free (solid, user-friendly): shows sizes by folder; integrates with Explorer context menu.
    • Folder Size (MindGems): adds a Folder Size column to Explorer via a shell extension (closest to what you want inside Explorer).

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