Windows 10 displays space details rather than available storage capacity.
Windows 10 displays space details rather than available storage capacity.
Right now the interface feels confusing. Even after five years with W10, I still struggle to get comfortable. It seems the system is unclear—highlighting used space in the image while showing free space in the text doesn’t make sense. This isn’t how it worked in W7. Would it be possible to display something like “600gb used of 1.81TB”?
It makes perfect sense in my head... I only focus on the remaining space, not the usage. The blue color changes to red when capacity reaches a critical level. Critical can also mean the large amount of data you wish to copy won’t fit, so seeing how much actual storage is left matters more than how much you’ve used.
There’s no option to alter this; we’re relying on mental calculations for space estimation. That being said, if you right-click and select Properties, it will display the usage and available space. I prefer doing the math myself. Also, as @johnno23 noted, seeing the free space at a glance is more useful than tracking how much is consumed.
I already understand the remaining amount from the graphic, about 60% or more. Because I won’t use the entire disk, I don’t need to track every single gigabyte left. For me, how much space is occupied matters more. And sometimes a sudden jump in usage can help me stay aware. Win7 behaved similarly and worked smoothly. Also, the graphic clearly shows the used space while still reporting available space.
I'm essentially where you are. I don't need to memorize every bit and I never intend to use all of a drive. The key distinction lies in how we view the File Explorer during installations. It's much more helpful to see available space, which aids in making smarter decisions about which drive to pick. Rest in peace, Windows 7.