GetVolumes

GetVolumes is a term used in computing to describe a command, function, or utility that lists storage volumes available on a system and returns metadata about each volume. The exact implementation and syntax vary by platform, but the common goal is to provide a consolidated view of disks, partitions, and mounted volumes for management and scripting purposes.

In typical implementations, GetVolumes enumerates volumes and exposes properties such as a volume name or label, drive letter or mount point, file system type, total size, free space, and used space. Additional attributes may include a unique identifier (such as a volume GUID), volume type (fixed, removable, network), read/write status, health indicators, and hardware or partition information. Output is usually a structured collection of records that can be filtered, sorted, or piped into further processing.

Usage and examples depend on the host environment. In Windows PowerShell, the built-in equivalent is Get-Volume in the Storage module, while some environments or documentation may refer to a cross-platform GetVolumes wrapper or a community module. A typical usage pattern is to call GetVolumes and then select or format fields for reporting, e.g., listing Name, MountPoint, FileSystem, Size, and FreeSpace. Another common pattern is to combine GetVolumes with filtering to exclude system or removable volumes.

Related concepts include underlying system tools and classes such as Windows PowerShell's Get-Volume, Get-Partition, and WMI or CIM classes like Win32_Volume. GetVolumes serves as a high-level abstraction for volume enumeration across different platforms.