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How to Fix Windows 11 File Explorer Showing Incorrect File Sizes or Missing Folder Totals

Windows KB-1006

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Fix Windows 11 File Explorer Showing Incorrect File Sizes or Missing Folder Totals. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

If Windows File Explorer is displaying incorrect file sizes or failing to calculate folder totals, your system may be experiencing a cache issue or a corrupted shell extension. This guide provides steps to refresh File Explorer and resolve these common display errors.

Quick Fix Steps

  1. Restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager.
  2. Clear the Windows thumbnail cache.
  3. Run the System File Checker to repair system files.
  4. Check for pending Windows updates.

Detailed Instructions

Restart Windows Explorer

Restarting the explorer.exe process often resolves temporary glitches in the user interface.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. In the Processes tab, scroll down to find Windows Explorer.
  3. Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.

Clear the Thumbnail Cache

Corrupted thumbnail data can cause File Explorer to misreport file details or sizes.

  1. Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter.
  2. Select your system drive (usually C:) and click OK.
  3. Check the box for Thumbnails.
  4. Click OK and then Delete Files.

Run System File Checker (SFC)

If system files are corrupted, File Explorer may not calculate folder totals correctly.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
  3. Wait for the scan to complete. If errors are found and fixed, restart your computer.

Check for Windows Updates

Microsoft frequently releases patches that fix bugs related to the Windows shell and File Explorer.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Navigate to Windows Update.
  3. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

Troubleshooting

Disable Third-Party Shell Extensions

Third-party software (such as cloud storage integrations or archive tools) can interfere with how File Explorer calculates sizes.

  1. Boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  2. Open File Explorer and check if the file sizes are now correct.
  3. If the issue is resolved in Safe Mode, a third-party shell extension is likely the cause. Uninstall recently installed utility software to identify the culprit.
Tip: If you are viewing files on a network drive, incorrect sizes may be caused by a latency issue or a connection drop to the server. Try refreshing the folder by pressing F5.
Caution: Avoid using third-party "registry cleaner" tools to fix this issue, as they can cause system instability.

If you have followed these steps and the issue persists, please Open a Ticket with our support team.

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Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

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