Windows 10 Storage Considerations

• Future versions of Windows 10 will reserve more free space on a device’s local storage.
• Windows 10 utilities and online storage can help free space on devices, but using online storage can create security or compliance problems.
• Customers who buy Windows 10 devices with limited local storage could still hit space limits that utilities cannot fix.

Future versions of Windows 10 will reserve additional free space to ensure the OS continues to operate correctly, including while installing OS updates. Microsoft suggests storing user documents on hosted services such as OneDrive for Business as one way to ensure there is enough space on a local drive. Windows 10 utilities can assist with management of the available storage space. However, customers might have to increase the storage they buy with new devices, and online storage carries its own risks.

Lack of Free Space Creates Problems

Without enough free space to unpack compressed files, create temporarily files needed for the upgrade process, and cache data to speed up some operations, the Windows OS can run slow, generate error messages, or just stop working. For example, without enough free space, semiannual OS Feature Updates or monthly quality updates to the OS may not finish installing correctly.