DiskScope 1.2 Guide
Everything needed to install, scan, inspect, export, and clean up safely.
At launch, the refined progress splash remains visible while DiskScope opens its local database and creates the main interface. The interface appears after its first paint, while saved Top 10 summaries finish loading in the background.
Installation
- Choose the EXE installer for a guided setup or MSI for managed Windows deployment.
- Verify the SHA-256 checksum shown on the download page.
- Run the installer. Version 1.2.4 is not code-signed, so Windows may display an unknown-publisher warning.
- Launch DiskScope from the Start menu. Production builds do not open a separate command window.
DiskScope requires 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 and Microsoft WebView2 Runtime, which is already present on most current Windows installations.
Scan, pause, delete, and resume
- Select a drive or folder and start the scan. Results, folder totals, extensions, errors, Top 10 lists, and the live files-per-second rate update while scanning.
- Use Pause when you need to reduce disk activity or delete an item. DiskScope displays progress while workers stop and pending results are saved. Resume continues the current scan; Cancel stops it while preserving flushed results.
- Search, filter, sort, or change result pages to locate an item. Use Open in Explorer to inspect it in context.
- After the scan is paused or finished, select files in the result table or use a delete icon beside a Top 10 file or folder. Review the confirmation before DiskScope sends the item to the Recycle Bin.
- Wait for the operation overlay to close, then resume scanning when appropriate.
Results and folder tree
The largest-files view loads 10 rows at a time from SQLite. Use First, Previous, Next, and Last to navigate. Changing the search, extension filter, sort order, or page clears the current selection so actions always apply to visible results.
The Folders view presents a true expandable hierarchy. Parent folders include totals from their descendants, children are ordered largest first, and collapsed branches remain collapsed while live scan results refresh. The Extensions view remains available for file-type totals.
Export results
Choose CSV for spreadsheets, JSON for structured processing, or styled HTML for a readable standalone report. Exports contain scan metadata and file-system details, not file contents.
Database and storage location
DiskScope stores scan results in diskscope.sqlite inside the Windows application-data directory resolved for the application identifier com.novalabs.diskscope. Closing DiskScope does not upload or synchronize this database.
Updating to 1.2.4 does not change the database schema and requires no migration action. To remove all retained scan data, you can use the built-in "Reset DB" button in the application toolbar (which erases the database instantly and clears all views). Alternatively, you can close DiskScope and delete that local application-data folder to remove saved scans, folder totals, extension summaries, errors, and Top 10 snapshots.
Known limitations
- Locked, offline, or permission-protected files may be counted as access errors.
- Network and removable-drive performance depends on the device and connection.
- Disk usage can change during a scan as other applications create or remove files.
- Recycle Bin behavior depends on Windows, drive type, and available Recycle Bin capacity.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Why are some folders missing?
Check the access-error view. Protected folders may require appropriate Windows permissions.
Why does the total change during scanning?
Live totals become more complete as workers discover files. Other applications may also change the drive while it is scanned.
Can DiskScope recover a deleted file?
Use the Windows Recycle Bin. DiskScope does not maintain a separate recovery copy.
Does DiskScope read file contents?
No content is uploaded. Storage analysis is based on local file-system metadata needed to report paths, sizes, types, and errors.