Populated folders show zero bytes - Big Sur

Question

Populated folders show zero bytes - Big Sur

I upgraded to Big Sur 11.5.2 yesterday, on my iMacPro (4.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 2017). I have my view options to "Calculate all sizes." When I create a new folder and add files, the folder reads "zero bytes." The Get Info command also will read "zero bytes." If I drag the folder and make a copy of it underneath, it reads the correct size. If I copy a "zero bytes" folder to an external drive, the external will read the size; when I copy it back to my Mac it will read the size.

Is there any fix for this, without my having to use this workaround? Thanks.

Posted on Sep 17, 2021 11:37 AM

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Answer 1

steve626

Level 6

13,797 points

Sep 19, 2021 9:28 PM in response to Yolanda Thompson

Yolanda Thompson wrote:

I've upgraded to MacOS BigSur 11.6. The issue persists.

My files are in Macintosh HD > System > Volumes > Macintosh HD > Current Projects (folder)

I think at least part of your problems may be happening because all your files and folders should be located inside your home folder. When you locate them elsewhere where you may have incorrect permissions, some folders will show as zero bytes even though they do have files inside them.

I suggest that you relocate all your files and projects to inside your home directory. Which would be inside

Macintosh HD => Users => username

where username is your user name on the computer.

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Answer 2

Sparks0829

Community Specialist

Sep 18, 2021 9:54 AM in response to Yolanda Thompson

Hello there Yolanda Thompson,

From what we can tell, you're not seeing correct file sizes on your iMac Pro after updating to macOS Big Sur 11.5.2 recently. We're glad you've joined us in Apple Support Communities, and we'd like to learn more to see how we can help.

To begin, you'll want to update to the latest version of macOS Big Sur, which is macOS Big Sur 11.6. If needed, learn more about updating your Mac here:

Update macOS on Mac

Next, if you try to change the view option in Finder to group items by size, are you able to see the correct file sizes there? Learn more here:

Sort and arrange items in the Finder on Mac

Also, where exactly are these files located on your Mac? Learn how to find out here:

Get file, folder, and disk information on Mac

Let us know what you find, and we'll take a closer look from there.

Cheers.

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Answer 3

Sep 20, 2021 9:12 AM in response to steve626

YES! Moving my projects folder to that location solved the "zero byte" issue, it's all working normally now.

Thank you so much for your help!

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Answer 4

Sep 19, 2021 12:15 PM in response to Sparks0829

I've upgraded to MacOS BigSur 11.6. The issue persists.

My files are in Macintosh HD > System > Volumes > Macintosh HD > Current Projects (folder)

The file sizes show correctly, it's the folders showing zero bytes even when they have files inside, see image.

-I created the first TEST FOLDER BigSur 11.6 and added three files, folder size shows "zero bytes"

-I drag-copied the TEST FOLDER BigSur 11.6 and, and it shows the correct folder size (TEST FOLDER BigSur 11.6 2)

-I drag-copied TEST FOLDER BigSur 11.6 2, trashed the 23.1MB file, and the folder size does not update. (TEST FOLDER BigSur 11.6 2 2 )

None of my other folder sizes in my Projects folder update after I add or remove files.)

Thank you for any feedback.

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Answer 5

Sep 18, 2021 3:00 PM in response to Sparks0829

Thank you for your reply. I will update Big Sur 11.6 on Monday and see if the issue of folders showing zero bytes size resolves. I will post findings.

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Populated folders show zero bytes - Big Sur

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