How to Check the Remaining Memory on a USB Flash Drive (2024)

Categories
Computers and Electronics
Computers
Computer Hardware
External Storage Devices

Download Article

Quick ways to check how much storage is left on a USB flash drive

Written byRain Kengly

Last Updated: June 8, 2023Fact Checked

Download Article

Using Windows 11, 10, and 8

Using Windows 7 and Earlier

Using macOS

Video

If you need to check the storage space on a USB, you can easily do so by plugging it into a Windows or Mac computer. Most flash drives have the capacity printed on the flash drive itself, but you must have a computer to check how much space is left inside. Luckily, this only takes a few simple steps. This wikiHow will show you how to check how much room is left on a flash drive using your Mac or Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 computer.

Things You Should Know

In Windows File Explorer, select "This PC," right-click your flash drive, and then click "Properties" to view remaining space.
On a Mac, right-click the USB drive icon and choose "Get Info" to see available space.
In earlier versions of Windows, double-click "Computer" or "My Computer" on the desktop, right-click the flash drive, then choose "Properties."

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Windows 11, 10, and 8

Download Article

1
Plug the USB flash drive into your computer or laptop. Use a free USB slot. You won't be able to check its capacity without plugging it in.
2
Open the File Explorer. Press the Windows key + E to open the File Explorer. You can also open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar.^[1]
Advertisem*nt
3
Click This PC in the left panel. You may have to scroll down in the panel to find it.
- You should see your USB underneath the Devices and drives header.
- The available space can be seen immediately underneath the USB drive's name. Proceed to the next step if you want to see a more detailed usage chart.
4
Right-click the USB flash drive. It will be in the right panel under the "Devices and drives" section. A menu will expand.
5
Click Properties on the menu. This opens the "General" tab of the Properties dialog.
6
Find available space next to "Free Space." You'll also find a pie chart that shows you the ratio of free space to used space. The total size of the drive appears next to "Capacity" above the pie chart.
- If you need to use the flash drive for something else, you can clear it or format it. Just be sure to back up your data first.

Advertisem*nt

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Windows 7 and Earlier

Download Article

1
Double-click the Computer icon on the desktop. The icon will be labeled My Computer if you're using Windows XP. If you don't see this icon on the desktop, click the Start menu and select Computer or My Computer there.
- If you haven't already connected the drive to the PC, do so now.
2
Right-click your flash drive. You'll see it under "Hard Disk Drives" or "Devices with Removable Storage" in the right panel. A menu will expand.
3
Click Properties on the menu. This opens the "General" tab of the Properties dialog.
4
Find available space next to "Free Space." You'll also find a pie chart that shows you the ratio of free space to used space. The total size of the drive appears next to "Capacity" above the pie chart.

Advertisem*nt

Using macOS

Download Article

1
Insert the USB drive into your Mac's USB port. After a few moments, you should see its icon on the desktop.
- If you don't see the icon, open the Finder by clicking the two-toned smiley face icon in the Dock—you should then see the drive under "Devices" in the left panel.
2
Right-click the USB drive icon. A menu will expand.
3
Click Get Info on the menu. This opens the Info window.
4
Find the amount of free space next to "Available." It is right below the "Capacity" property, which tells you how much space the drive has in total. The value next to "Used" tells you how much space is being occupied by files on the drive.

Advertisem*nt

Community Q&A

Add New Question

Question
How can I see what's on the memory stick?
Community Answer
Open File Explorer, find the memory stick and click on it. All of your files should show up on screen.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow
YesNo
Not Helpful 2Helpful 7
Question
How do I check the storage of a flash drive on a Mac?
Community Answer
Press control, and click on the flash-drive symbol on the desktop. Now click on "quick look." It should be listed.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow
YesNo
Not Helpful 10Helpful 8
Question
How can I find the free capacity of my USB drive?
Community Answer
To find the free capacity of data in your removable hard drive simply open the drive on your computer and right click. A selection box should appear. After the selection box appears, select properties, and from there you will find your data available.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow
YesNo
Not Helpful 11Helpful 16

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisem*nt

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

How toFind Out the Maximum RAM Capacity for Your Computer6 Ways to Repair a USB Flash Drive

How toRun Software Directly Off a USB Flash DriveHow toUse Pen Drive As RAM2 Simple Ways to Erase and Format a USB Flash Drive4 Simple Ways to Format and Clear an SD Memory CardA Guide to Disabling Write ProtectionHow toCopy Documents to a USB Flash Drive from Your ComputerHow to Transfer Music to a Flash DriveHow toSave Files to a USB Flash Drive3 Quick Ways to Permanently Remove Write Protection from an SD CardHow toBoot from an External Hard DriveHow to Reformat an External Hard Drive on Windows or Mac

Advertisem*nt

References

↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-and-open-file-explorer-ef370130-1cca-9dc5-e0df-2f7416fe1cb1

About This Article

Written by:

Rain Kengly

wikiHow Technology Writer

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been viewed 271,828 times.

How helpful is this?

Co-authors: 17

Updated: June 8, 2023

Categories: External Storage Devices

Article SummaryX

1.Plug in the flash drive.
2.Press Windows key + E.
3.Click This PC.
4.Right-click the drive.
5.Click Properties.

Did this summary help you?

In other languages

Spanish

Russian

Portuguese

German

Italian

Indonesian

French

Arabic

Japanese

Print
Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 271,828 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisem*nt

How to Check the Remaining Memory on a USB Flash Drive (2024)

Things You Should Know

Using Windows 11, 10, and 8

Using Windows 7 and Earlier

Using macOS

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Is this article up to date?