Disk Inventory X

Tjark Derlien

As many users asked why Disk Inventory X does not show a user's home directory protected by FileVault, I try explain it here for the case someone might look into this forum first for an answer:

Apple's FileVault is realized with an encrypted image file which is mounted as the user's home directory when the user logs in. Disk Inventory X tries to show the (physical) disk usage and as a consequence it doesn't follow symbolic links (Unix), aliases (Carbon) and mount points. So the mounted FileVault image is just displayed - like any mounted network drive - like an alias with a file size of zero bytes.
Of course, the image file itself is shown like any other file with it's size.

So if you like to examine your home directory protected by FileVault, just open your home directory, not the whole drive in Disk Inventory X.