How to Check the Remaining Memory on a USB Flash Drive

Last Updated: January 29, 2023

This wikiHow teaches you how to find out how much free space remains on your USB flash drive using Windows or macOS. Performing the steps for your operating system will also give you other information about the drive, including its total capacity and the amount of space currently in use.

Things You Should Know

In Windows File Explorer, select "This PC," right-click your flash drive, 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:

Windows 10 and 8

1
Press ⊞ Win+E to open File Explorer. You can also open File Explorer by clicking its folder icon in the Start menu.
- If the USB flash drive is not plugged in, plug it in now.
2
Click This PC in the left panel. You may have to scroll down in the panel to find it.

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3
Right-click the USB flash drive. It will be in the right panel under the "Devices and drives" section. A menu will expand.
4
Click Properties on the menu. This opens the "General" tab of the Properties dialog.
5
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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Windows 7 and Earlier

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.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

macOS

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 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 dialog window.^{[1]
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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.

Community Q&A

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.
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.
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.