Microsoft increases space needed on PCs to install latest Windows 10 update
Some Windows 10 users will be forced to double the amount of space on their PC to install future updates, as Microsoft has increased the amount of storage required to install its newest software.
Previously, more powerful machines running on 64-bit needed 20GB free on their hard drive, while 32-bit devices needed a minimum of 16GB.
However, software notes for the company’s forthcoming Windows update, expected in May, have revealed that all machines will require at least 32GB.
This could be problematic for people using the operating system on budget devices with limited storage capacity.
Which? computing editor Kate Bevan said that while it may be a pain for people with cheap netbooks, the move by Microsoft is well-intentioned to prevent crashes.
“It’s a good response actually because it makes it absolutely clear upfront that it takes a bit more space to run an update and prevents your computer from crashing, which is a problem some have experienced in the past,” Ms Bevan explained.
“Add something like an SD card to create a bit more space, but before doing an update, having a look and moving anything on to an external hard drive or the cloud will help,” she advised anyone struggling for extra storage capacity.
“Have a look at what you have stashed on your desktop to ensure you don’t have photos or other files left lying around, it’s a good opportunity for some housekeeping.”
Microsoft’s next update is still being tested by developers, but new options such as the ability to delay future updates for longer periods of time are expected to feature.
