Tools > Options > Advanced

This window exposes options relating to advanced product usage scenarios.

File System Analysis Thread Pool

Specifies the number of threads available for file system analysis work. This option currently applies only to analysis operations performed from the main product window (e.g. does not apply to Search and File Report features).

When multiple root paths are specified, FolderSizes will analyze them using threads from this pool. This value defaults to 5, but can be set to a number between 1 and 99.

Changes to this setting require that FolderSizes be restarted in order to take effect.

Performance Implications

File system analysis using multiple threads is a complex topic, and there are several important considerations.

In scenarios where multiple paths are specified, concurrent analysis will be most beneficial when those paths relate to discrete input/output channels. For example, entering multiple file system analysis paths residing on the same local disk will usually not be significantly beneficial. However, using multiple threads to analyze separate physical disks and/or network connections to separate storage subsystems improve overall performance quite dramatically.

For the reasons described above, FolderSizes will not use multiple threads to analyze a single file system path (e.g. drive, folder, or network share). Only multiple-path analysis scenarios are threaded. As suggested above, achieving maximum analysis performance requires how multiple paths are assigned.

Also keep in mind that using additional analysis threads will add to the overall memory usage of FolderSizes. Use of larger thread pools is recommended only for 64-bit host computers with plenty of RAM available (specific memory requirements will depend upon file system analysis targets).

Warning: Improper configuration of this setting can impair overall computing performance and analysis throughput. Use of the default values is strongly recommended unless you understand the implications. Research the impact of modifications to this setting before using in production scenarios.