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The actual hard disk capacity of the new laptop is less than the indicated capacity

Update Time: 2024-02-27 10:53:37

Problem phenomenon:

The newly bought laptop's hard disk capacity is less than the introduced 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.

realme laptop hard disk drive

(C drive + D drive capacity ≈ 237G, less than 256G written on the configuration)

Causes:

1. The problem of the calculation method

Hard disk manufacturers and computer operating systems have different calculation methods for hard disk capacity. Calculation method of hard disk manufacturers in the industry is based on 1G=1000MB, 1M=1000KB, 1KB=1000B, while the computer system display is based on 1G=1024MB, 1M=1024KB, 1KB= 1024B, so there will be some differences in the actual display of disk capacity. For example, a 512GB hard disk actually only has (256*1000*1000*1000)/(1024*1024*1024) ≈ 237GB in the computer operating system.

computer storage management


If part of the hard disk space has been used for a specific purpose, the capacity shown in the operating system will also be less than 237GB.

  Note: Methods of viewing the hard disk capacity

   A. Right-click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the computer;

   B. Click "Disk Management" to view the capacity marked on the disk on the right.

2. The Windows recovery partition will also occupy part of the space

  This part of the partition is built-in and hidden by Windows and occupies the following space: 100MB (EFI system partition) + 1.00GB (recovery partition) = 1.124GB

computer storage management


3. Computer visible partition space

Press the Windows key + E key, click this computer, and the visible partition system disk(C disk) and data disk(D disk) will pop up. The visible partition size is as follows: 100GB (space size of C drive) + 137GB (space size of D drive) ≈ 237GB.

computer visible partition space

 

Solution:

Understanding the calculation method and structure of disk space, the disk space viewed by this computer is not all disk space. So this phenomenon is not a fault or a configuration mismatch.

Note: The calculation method of the entire disk space (take a 256GB hard disk as an example):

C drive + D drive + EFI system partition + recovery partition = entire hard disk space

100GB+137GB+100MB+1GB=238.124GB

So the actual size of the 256GB hard disk is about 238.1GB, and the visible partition size C+D is about 237GB

The hidden partition EFI+ recovery partition is about 1.124GB


If you have any doubts, it is recommended that you back up important data and then take the purchase invoice to a nearby realme service center for inspection.


Related Articles: 

How to partition the hard disk of Windows 10 and Windows 11 laptops?

How to format a hard drive on a laptop?


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