Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about DiskLens
General
What is DiskLens?
DiskLens is a cross-platform disk space analyzer that helps you visualize what's taking up space on your computer. It provides interactive charts including pie, donut, radial, and sunburst views to help you identify large files and folders.
Is DiskLens free?
Yes, DiskLens is completely free to use for personal and commercial purposes.
What platforms does DiskLens support?
DiskLens is available for macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows (64-bit). Linux support is planned for a future release.
Privacy & Security
Does DiskLens collect my data?
No. DiskLens operates entirely locally on your computer. No file information, personal data, or usage analytics are ever sent to our servers or any third parties.
Does DiskLens read my file contents?
No. DiskLens only reads file metadata (name, size, modification date) to calculate disk usage. It never opens or reads the actual contents of your files.
Is it safe to delete files using DiskLens?
DiskLens moves files to your system's Trash/Recycle Bin, so you can recover them if needed. However, we recommend backing up important data before deleting files, as emptying the Trash is permanent.
Usage
How do I scan a folder?
Click the "Select Folder" button or use File → Open Folder (Cmd/Ctrl+O). Choose the folder you want to analyze, and DiskLens will scan it and display the results in an interactive chart.
Why is scanning slow on some drives?
Scanning speed depends on your drive type (SSD vs HDD), the number of files, and system load. DiskLens automatically detects your drive type and uses the optimal scanning strategy. HDDs are typically slower due to mechanical seek times.
Can I export the analysis results?
Yes! You can export charts as PNG images with watermark and captions, and export detailed reports in various formats. Use the export button in the toolbar or go to File → Export.
Troubleshooting
Why can't I scan certain folders?
Some system folders require elevated permissions. On macOS, you may need to grant Full Disk Access in System Preferences → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access. On Windows, try running DiskLens as Administrator.
The app is running slowly. What can I do?
For very large directories (100k+ files), try using the Pie or Donut chart views instead of Sunburst, as they render faster. You can also increase the "minimum file size" filter to reduce the number of displayed items.