November 11, 2026

Windows 10 Reserved Storage Taking Up Space: Understanding the 7 GB Windows Keeps for Itself

While checking why your drive is full, you open Settings > System > Storage and see a category called “Reserved storage” taking around 7 GB. On a small laptop with 64 GB or 128 GB, that is a noticeable chunk. When Windows 10 reserved storage taking up space worries you, it helps to know why Windows sets it aside.

Reserved storage was introduced in Windows 10 version 1903. Windows keeps a block of space for updates, temporary files, and system caches, so updates do not fail because the drive is too full. When an update arrives, Windows uses this space first, then clears it again.

The size can grow slightly when optional features and extra languages are installed, because they also need room during updates.

You can reduce it, and on many PCs turn it off, but doing so slot mahjong makes update failures more likely.

What Usually Triggers It

Reserved storage looks large for these reasons:

• Windows reserves about 7 GB by default on version 1903 and later.
• Optional features add to the reserve.
• Additional language packs increase the reserve.
• Clean installs of newer versions enable it automatically.

Upgraded PCs that came from older versions may not have reserved storage turned on at all.

On small devices with 32 GB of storage, reserved storage takes a larger share of the drive, which is why the issue is most noticeable on budget laptops and tablets.

First Steps to Try

Reduce what increases the reserve.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Optional features and uninstall features you do not use.
2. Open Settings > Time & Language > Language and remove languages you do not need.
3. Open Settings > System > Storage and select “Show more categories” to see the reserved amount.
4. Free other space with Temporary files and Storage Sense.
5. Restart and check the reserved storage size again.

If the Problem Continues

Turn reserved storage off, if you understand the trade-off.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type DISM /Online /Get-ReservedStorageState and press Enter to check its status.
3. Type DISM /Online /Set-ReservedStorageState /State:Disabled and press Enter.
4. If the command says the operation is not supported while updates are pending, install them, restart, and try again.
5. Restart the PC and check Storage settings.

To turn it back on later, run the same command with /State:Enabled.

Protect Your Data First

Keep at least 10 to 15 GB free if you disable reserved storage, or updates may fail partway. Back up important files before large feature updates.

The Bottom Line

Reserved storage is Windows saving space for updates. Remove unused features and languages to shrink it, and disable it with DISM only if you keep plenty of free space.