A method for quickly identifying data residing on a volume in a multivolume file system. The method includes generating a file location map, the file location map containing a list of the locations of files that occupy space on each of a plurality of volumes of the file system. The file system comprises least a first volume and a second volume. The file location map is updated in accordance with changes in a file change log for the file system. Data residing on the first volume of the file system is identified by scanning the file location map.