How much space is required for a Windows 10 install?

[b0redom]

Hi All,
As subject really. I'm considering a tech refresh at home which will likely be a macmini with an eGPU. I'll put Windows on it as a Bootcamp setup, but I need to know what's the realistic minimum I can get away with for the OS? It'll probably be used almost exclusively for gaming, and all of the Steam etc will be stored on an externally attached SSD.

What can I get away with? 256GB? 512GB? More?

Ta...

[kalniel]

256gb no problem, 128gb is probably fine too.

[SUMMONER]

128GB will be plenty for the basics.

Microsoft raised the minimum drive capacity from 32GB up to 64GB a while ago, as having so little free space was causing issues for Windows Update to do its thing.

[[GSV]Trig]

A 32Bit install will also take up less space than a 64Bit if you are on a 64Gb or smaller drive.

[scaryjim]

128GB will be plenty for the basics. ...

Yup - my laptop runs off a 128GB system drive. Currently showing around 55GB free, and that's with a few applications installed to system, while most others and all games (including steam) are farmed off to a secondary spinning rust drive. I've also redirected my Document and Downloads folders to the spinning rust, to minimise what hits the SSD.

A 32Bit install will also take up less space than a 64Bit if you are on a 64Gb or smaller drive.

Was also coming to say this; it always used to be true and I see no reason for it to have changed. My Win 10 tablet runs on 32GB for a 32bit install. It's still a bit tight, mind you...

[AGTDenton]

Hi All,
As subject really. I'm considering a tech refresh at home which will likely be a macmini with an eGPU. I'll put Windows on it as a Bootcamp setup, but I need to know what's the realistic minimum I can get away with for the OS? It'll probably be used almost exclusively for gaming, and all of the Steam etc will be stored on an externally attached SSD.

What can I get away with? 256GB? 512GB? More?

Ta...

256GB is my recommendation.
Initially 128 in Windows is fine, but I find temp files, updates etc. build up over time, and every month have to clean something or the other up, I just cant be bothered to keep on top of it any more. 256GB is nice and cheap these days unless you really have to have a Samsung Pro.

I'm using 145GB now on my laptop, and I only have a handful of small apps installed, nothing to the size of Office.

[BobF64]

I routinely run Windows 10 installs off a 25gb disk in a VM, for work purposes.

That provides enough space for Windows, and to apply updates.

As others have said, the rest depends what else you install or create.

[DanceswithUnix]

A 32Bit install will also take up less space than a 64Bit if you are on a 64Gb or smaller drive.

Not much in the way of gaming will tolerate 32 bit these days.

Was also coming to say this; it always used to be true and I see no reason for it to have changed. My Win 10 tablet runs on 32GB for a 32bit install. It's still a bit tight, mind you...

My son recently did a clean install of 64 bit Windows 10 onto his tablet (Asus Transformer, 2GB of ram and 32GB of flash). Even stripped right back and cleaned up the thing wouldn't update itself on 32 bit despite apparently having enough free space. He doesn't seem any worse off for space.

[Scryder]

256GB is more than enough. My Windows folder (64-bit) is currently about 25GB, which was installed about 3 years ago, so probably have a lot of junk useless files. My games and programs are installed on another HDD.

[SamMiller]

It works with 128gb

[tankizzy]

128 gb for me was enough

[Zak33]

Win 10 is fine , as everyone says, on a 120 gig drive.

But... with numerous Windows updates, drivers, & with plenty of components of Microsoft Office installed... and with a heathy email inbox, it can get a bit.. full. Win 10 still uses a Page File too, and it defaults to the same size as the ram you have installed, SO.. if you go from 16gig to 32gig ram,.. your hard drive spare space shrinks!!!

( I have my page file set manually)

[epoxypremier]

you may need to have 10-15 gb free space.

[James M. Carter]

128 gb is enough,it is best to use 256GB if you have.

[JosephRiggins]

I routinely run Windows 10 installs off a 25gb disk in a VM, for work purposes.

That provides enough space for Windows, and to apply updates.

As others have said, the rest depends what else you install or create.

I did the same as you.
I burn the Windows 10 iso file to an USB (32gb) for making a Windows 10 installation disk,in this way that i can install Windows 10 anytime/anywhere.

[JosephRiggins]

I routinely run Windows 10 installs off a 25gb disk in a VM, for work purposes.

That provides enough space for Windows, and to apply updates.

As others have said, the rest depends what else you install or create.

I did the same as you.
I burn the Windows 10 iso file to an USB (32gb) for making a Windows 10 installation disk,in this way that i can install Windows 10 anytime/anywhere.