This article shows you how to compare the contents and size of two folders using the Windows "File Explorer" window.
Steps
Step 1. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + E
The Windows "File Explorer" dialog will be displayed.
Step 2. Double-click the icon of the first folder you want to compare
A list of everything in it will be displayed.
Step 3. Drag the window under review to the right side of the screen
Select the menu bar with the left mouse button and, without releasing it, drag it to the right. At this point the first window should occupy the right half of the screen.
Step 4. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + E again
A second "File Explorer" window will appear.
Step 5. Double-click the icon of the second folder you want to compare
Step 6. Drag the new window under review to the left side of the screen
Select the menu bar with the left mouse button and, without releasing it, drag it to the left. The second window should now occupy the right half of the screen. Now the contents of a folder to compare should be displayed on the left side of the screen, while the contents of the second folder on the right side.
Depending on the physical size of the monitor you are using and the video resolution of the system, you may need to resize and reposition the two windows better, so that all the information needed to make the comparison is clearly visible on the screen
Step 7. Go to the View tab of both windows
It is located in the upper part of the latter.
Step 8. Select the Details option on both windows
It is listed within the panel visible in the "Layout" group. This will display more information about the subfolders and files shown in each window, including the type of item (for example, a file folder, a video, an image, a text document, etc.).
If the folders you are comparing include other directories, the date when the content was last changed will appear next to the name
Step 9. Select an empty spot in the first window with the right mouse button
A context menu will be displayed.
Step 10. Choose the Properties item
This will open the "Properties" window of the first folder, showing the size occupied on disk.
Step 11. Select an empty spot in the second window with the right mouse button
Now it is necessary to go back to the size occupied on disk from the second folder in order to be able to make the comparison.
Step 12. Choose the Properties option
You should see the "Properties" windows of each folder, side by side, showing the size of each.
