How Large is a New Install of Windows 10 1903?
When you're planning to install the Windows 10 1903 operating system, you might be curious about the amount of storage space it will require. Understanding the size of a fresh installation can help you ensure that your hardware meets the minimum requirements and that you have sufficient space for other files and applications.
Baseline Storage Requirements for Windows 10 1903
In a controlled environment where a clean installation of Windows 10 Pro 1903 was performed on a Hyper-V VM with a 127 GB virtual disk, the installation resulted in a variety of partitions as follows:
529 MB for the recovery partition, 16 MB for the Microsoft Reserved (MSR) partition, 99 MB for the EFI partition, 126 GB for the system partition.This initial setup consumed 18520883200 bytes, or approximately 18.5 GB. It's important to note that this baseline does not account for additional space requirements for user files, drivers, and other third-party software installations.
Factors Influencing Storage Size
Several factors can influence the total storage space required for Windows 10 1903, including:
1. 32-bit vs. 64-bit Installations
Using the 32-bit version of Windows 10 1903 will generally result in a smaller installation size compared to the 64-bit version, as the 64-bit version includes additional system files and architectures.
2. Windows Version
The Home version of Windows 10 1903, compared to the Pro version, will consume less space. The Pro version includes additional features and services, which can contribute to a larger installation footprint.
3. Driver Packages and Additional Devices
Installing specific drivers for video cards, printers, and other hardware can increase the size of the Windows 10 1903 installation. In particular, device-specific video drivers can significantly raise the storage footprint, as these drivers are often larger than generic drivers.
4. Network Connectivity and Updates
Connecting to a network after installation can cause Windows to check for and potentially install updates, which may consume additional space and bandwidth. This feature, known as Windows Update, can significantly impact the final size of the operating system if updates are installed during or after the initial setup.
Optimizing Partition Layout
The order and layout of the partitions created during the installation process are also important to consider. In general, it is advisable to place the recovery partition after the system partition to optimize disk usage and ensure smoother boot and recovery processes.
Real-world Observations
In real-world scenarios, the storage requirements for Windows 10 1903 can vary depending on system configuration. For instance, on a ThinkPad X260, the Program Files (x86) and ProgramData directories were around 30 GiB excluding user files. This highlights the potential additional storage needed for applications and system files installed on the system.
Conclusion
Based on the baseline installation and real-world observations, the size of a new install of Windows 10 1903 can range from slightly over 15 GB for the Pro version to around 5 GB for the Home version. The exact size will depend on the specific configuration of the system, the choice of version (32-bit vs. 64-bit), the types of drivers and hardware used, and any additional files or updates installed after the initial setup.
Given these variables, it's crucial to ensure that your installed system has enough storage space to accommodate the installation and any additional software and data you plan to store. Additionally, having a reliable internet connection is recommended to facilitate any necessary updates for a smooth and secure user experience.