Folder sizes and contents are incorrect

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  1. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Folder sizes and contents are incorrect


    Can any of you please direct me to the proper forum? On certain folders, right-clicking and displaying the properties shows me an increasing folder size and an incorrect number of files and folders contained therein.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 504
       #2

    No. It is not. Size is seen being incremented because Windows reads and calculates the total number of files and folders and their sizes while you pop the properties box open.

    This number and size includes all hidden files and system protected hidden files which can't be seen inside a folder unless viewing of those files is enabled. These special hidden files and folders account for the extra figure that you see.

    Folder sizes and contents are incorrect-untitled.png
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  3. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I know that I have only about 500mb in files and 36 folders but it shows that i have 10.4gb in 9000+ files and 600+ folders. There is not a trace of any virus or malware and i have done chkdsk /f /r three times and is still shows the wrong number of files and folders. This is very puzzling.

    I wonder if it is a faulty FAT? I also delete %temp% temporary files manually everyday before shutting down and periodically clean the system so there is no reason for a drastic increase in HD usage. The problematic partition is not the system partition so I am sure that it is not the windows pagefile that is causing this problem.
    Last edited by mc77coy; 26 Mar 2013 at 09:07.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 504
       #4

    Post a screen shot of the properties box and the problematic folder opened in file explorer. You can use "windirstat" tool too.
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  5. Posts : 504
       #5

    Also, it could be that Windows is using file junctions where one file is referenced from other place inside a folder and that file is physically not present in that folder but will add up when properties of the folder is viewed.

    For instance, if I have a folder which contains one 5 MB file and another 5 MB file referenced from another folder, in this case though the folder is actually taking up only 5 MB physically, but properties dialog box will show 10 MB. If this is the case, you need not to worry about space.

    Also do a malware scan.

    Another thing I wanted to add, see, this is silly to ask, but did you right click the folder properly? What I mean is, when you try right clicking a folder in Windows 7, there is some possibility that the folder was not selected at all and you get the right click menu for the folder containing that folder. To ensure, left click on the folder first to select it, then right click on it. This is an irritating design bug in windows. Irritates me a lot. Right clicking over the name or icon of the folder selects it (you see blue selection box over the folder) but right clicking in an empty area (on the folder itself) doesn't select it, thus creating the problem.
    Last edited by nilank; 26 Mar 2013 at 10:57.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I've done all that and off course I right clicked it properly. Even if windows is using file junctioning as you have said, how can 500 mb jump to 10.4 gb? I've done malware and anti-virus sweeps repeatedly and nothing comes up. I can access the partition without any problems. I have even done a DISKPART rescan to manually refresh but the damned thing just won't show the correct folder and file size.

    Another thing I notice is that, after I open the properties box, size seems to stop at the correct size for it then suddenly it increases steadily until it stops at 10.4 gb. This includes the file size and the number of folders and files contained. I've also used Vipre, Bitdefender, and Norton to scan for viruses and malware and results are always clean.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,528
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #7

    Could you perhaps post the screenshots of this as previously requested? Or even a short video showing the process.
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  8. Posts : 504
       #8

    OK, have you tried applying a little mathematics? First add up the size of everything on the partition YOU know you have, then add up what windows shows. Compare the total, different right? Let's say you have a total of X gigs according to you and Y gigs (Y>X) according to windows. Now check the drive peoperties. What's the used space? Is it equal to X or Y?

    Posting screenies as I mentioned earlier may help us a bit more.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Here are the screen shots. The number of files vary. sometimes it says 200+ nad other times as high as 9000+. Very strange. I have never encountered such a problem before.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Folder sizes and contents are incorrect-start.jpg   Folder sizes and contents are incorrect-end.jpg  
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 504
       #10

    Screenies look fine. 9000+ ? View the properties again and again and post a screen shot again when it shows 9000+.

    Use Windirstat to check the contents.

    WinDirStat - Permalinks to downloads and other content

    One more thing. What's inside that folder? If I had this problem, I would check the size of each sub folder and see which folder contributed to this huge 9000 number to narrow down to the culprit. Don't forget to enable viewing of hidden/system protected files before conducting these tasks.
      My Computer


 
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