This article explains how to check the remaining free space on a USB memory stick using a Windows computer or Mac. The procedure below also provides other useful information regarding the USB memory drive in use, such as the total capacity and the amount of space currently used..
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Windows 10 and Windows 8
Step 1. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + E to open the "File Explorer" window
Alternatively, you can click on the folder icon displayed in the "Start" menu.
If the USB stick you want to check is not yet connected to the computer, insert it now in a free USB port on the device
Step 2. Click on the This PC entry listed in the left pane of the "File Explorer" window
In order to find and select it, you may need to scroll down the list.
Step 3. Select the USB memory drive icon with the right mouse button
It is displayed in the right pane of the window in the "Devices and Drives" section. The corresponding context menu will be displayed.
Step 4. Click on the Properties item of the appeared menu
The "General" tab of the "Properties" window will appear.
Step 5. Check the free space available indicated by the item "Available space"
In the center of the "General" tab, there is also a pie chart showing the relationship between the total space of the memory unit and that used. The total space of the memory unit is indicated by the "Capacity" item located above the graph.
Method 2 of 3: Windows 7 and Earlier Versions
Step 1. Double-click the Computer icon on the desktop
If you are using a Windows XP system, the icon name shown will be Computer resources. If the icon in question is not present on the desktop, access the "Start" menu by clicking on the appropriate button, then select the option Computer or Computer resources.
If the USB stick you want to check is not yet connected to your computer, do this step now
Step 2. Select the USB memory drive icon with the right mouse button
It is displayed in the right pane of the window, in the "Hard Drives" or "Devices with Removable Storage" section. The corresponding context menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click on the Properties item of the appeared menu
The "General" tab of the "Properties" window will appear.
Step 4. Check the free space available indicated by the item "Available space"
A pie chart is also displayed in the center of the "General" tab: it shows the relationship between the total space of the memory unit and that used. The total space of the memory unit is indicated by the "Capacity" item located above the graph.
Method 3 of 3: macOS
Step 1. Insert the USB stick into a free USB port on your Mac
Wait a few moments, after which the device icon should appear on the desktop.
If not, open a Finder window by clicking on the appropriate Dock icon characterized by a two-color smiley. The USB drive should be listed within the "Devices" section of the left pane of the window
Step 2. Select the USB drive icon with the right mouse button
The corresponding context menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click on Get Info from the menu that appeared
The dialog box of the same name will be displayed.
Step 4. Review the amount of free space remaining listed next to "Available"
The latter is visible under the "Capacity" indication which shows the total capacity of the memory unit. The value next to "Used" indicates the amount of space used to store content on the USB drive.
