Side by side
Autoruns vs eDirStat
Both stand on disk space analyzers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Windows
Choose Autoruns if you need a free Windows tool to inspect startup items across many system locations and manage their configurations. Its Autorunsc companion adds command-line output and offline scanning. Look elsewhere if you need a non-Windows platform or official Microsoft support.
Visit Autoruns
Paid LinuxMacWeb+1
eDirStat combines visual storage analysis, duplicate identification, snapshots, and reviewed cleanup across major desktop platforms. Its offline design and open-source license are notable, while platform permissions vary by scan method.
Visit eDirStatThe facts
| Autoruns | eDirStat | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Windows | Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | itch.io download: $4.99, paid once |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | learn.microsoft.com | edirstat.com |
| On disk space analyzers | #83 of 105 | #87 of 105 |
Autoruns: what it does well
- Reports startup entries across folders, Registry keys, services, tasks, and more.
- Can hide signed Microsoft entries to focus on third-party items.
- Supports disabling or deleting startup configuration entries.
- Autorunsc can export CSV or tab-delimited data and scan offline systems.
- Free to use on devices owned or supported, with no use limit.
What to know first
- Runs on Windows only.
- VirusTotal features require accepting VirusTotal's terms.
- Microsoft provides no official support for Sysinternals tools.
- Redistribution requires a license.
eDirStat: what it does well
- Interactive treemap with folder zooming
- Seven-stage duplicate detection
- Scans external drives and SMB/NFS shares
- Offline operation without telemetry
- MIT-licensed open source
What to know first
- Mac App Store edition requires macOS 12 or later
- Raw NTFS MFT scans need administrator privileges
- Itch.io download costs 4.99 USD once
Alternatives to Autoruns Alternatives to eDirStat The whole list