Open File Explorer and select This PC. Each drive shows its free space and total size, such as 295 GB free of 476 GB. To see the whole disk and whether it’s an SSD, go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Disks & volumes.
Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 29, 2026.
See the size in File Explorer
- Press Windows logo key + E to open File Explorer.
- Select This PC on the left.
- Look under Devices and drives. The second number is the drive’s total size.
This shows the size of each drive letter. If your SSD is split into more than one drive, such as C: and D:, add them together.
Check the disk type and full capacity
- Select Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Select Advanced storage settings > Disks & volumes.
- Each disk lists its type, such as SSD or HDD, and its capacity.
You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select Performance and select Disk 0. The top of the page shows the disk’s size and the type (such as SSD).
Why is the size smaller than the box says?
Makers count 1 GB as 1,000,000,000 bytes, but Windows counts it as 1,073,741,824 bytes. So a “512 GB” SSD shows as about 476 GB. A small part is also used by Windows for recovery.
Frequently asked questions
How do I see what’s using the space?
See how to see what’s taking up space in Windows 11.
How do I check free space on every drive?
See how to check hard drive space in Windows 11.
Microsoft’s reference is Storage settings in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
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