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How to use Reserved Storage in Windows 10?

When it comes to downloading and installing updates on Windows 10, managing disk space should be your first concern. The point is, if there is not enough room for updates on your PC, they fail to work as expected and make your system pretty turbulent – we all know too well this is often the case when Microsoft rolls out major improvements and developments. The issue often has serious repercussions, such as data loss, Blue Screen of Death errors, and lags, and with this in mind, the tech giant has finally stepped up to make things easier by introducing a new feature called Reserved Storage. As it looks quite promising, it is time to find out how to use Windows 10 Reserved Storage in 2019.

What is Reserved Storage in Windows 10?

Modern PCs being packed with myriads of apps, features and options, Windows 10 users often run out of disk space. Since the OS should be kept up to date to function properly, it is essential to address the issue as effectively as possible and ensure that critical updates, apps and functions always have ample access to system resources.

In light of this situation, Microsoft claims Reserved Storage to be the solution to Windows 10 storage challenges. With this feature in place, you get about 7GB of valuable space for important updates, temporary files, and system caches. This makes your PC more optimized and reliable, and here is how this is achieved:

Temporary files and caches created by your apps and system processes get into reserved storage. Since a portion of disk space is set aside specifically for this purpose, your PC components can operate smoothly.

Storage sense automatically deletes temporary files kept in the reserved area when they are needed no more. If the storage reserve becomes full with all the files that remain there being still in use, your OS will temporarily employ some of the free space outside the reserved space portion.

When a Windows update is on its way, your system will clean up the reserve area to provide room for the new thing. This ensures updates always have some space set aside to be able to seamlessly settle down and do what they have been designed for.

This way you don’t have to check manually if you have allocated enough disk space for crucial yet often unexpected system scenarios.

How much space does Reserved Storage take?

Well, it depends. The amount of reserved space is announced to start at about 7GB in the upcoming Windows 10 1903 version. Meanwhile, there are two variables you should take into consideration since they affect how the tool works:

  • Installed languages

While most Win 10 users keep their OS monolingual, some of them prefer to switch between languages. If there are several languages in use on your PC, Windows will need more reserved space to ensure you can use all of them when updates arrive. Therefore, to reduce the required amount of reserved space, uninstall the languages you do not need.

  • Optional features

Your OS comes with a number of special features you might find quite useful. What exactly you have largely depends on what version of Windows 10 you are running, but the most common options include virtualization and graphical tools, special servers, advanced settings, etc. The catch here is, the more optional features you use, the more reserved space is required to install updates. Thus, if you want to reduce the amount of reserved storage, you will have to do away with some of those extra features.

To check how much storage space is reserved on your computer, take the following steps:

  • Launch the Search box, input ‘storage settings’ and hit Enter to proceed.
  • Go to Show more categories and open the System & reserved section.
  • Navigate to Reserved storage.

How to use Windows 10 Reserved Storage in 2019?

The feature is to be officially released with Windows 10 Version 1903 (19H1) in April 2019. As of this writing, to be able to utilize Reserved Storage straight away, you need to be a Windows insider in the Fast ring.

Before getting enrolled, make sure your drivers are up to date (otherwise, you may run into multiple compatibility issues). To get things done quickly and effectively, recruit a dedicated tool to do the job for you. For example, Auslogics Driver Updater will automatically install the latest manufacturer-recommended drivers on your computer.

Now that you have the best drivers for your system, feel free to join the Windows Insider Program and be among the first users to get the latest Windows features:

  • Make sure you are having administrator rights on your PC. If not, switch to your admin account.
  • Open Settings by clicking the gear-shaped icon in the Start menu.
  • Once the Settings app is up and running, select Update & security.
  • Navigate to the left-pane menu and scroll down until you come across the Windows Insider Program option. Click Get Started.
  • Then click on Link an account. Pick up your Microsoft or work account.
  • Click Continue to proceed.
  • Under ‘What kind of content would you like to receive?’, select Active development of Windows. Click the Confirm button.
  • Make sure the ‘What pace do you want to receive preview builds?’ option is set to ‘Fast’. Click Confirm.
  • Click Confirm to acknowledge agreement to the terms.
  • Finally, click Restart Now.

Once your PC restarts, launch the Settings app and go to Update & Security. In the Windows Update menu, click on the Check for updates button. This way you will get the latest Insider Preview build. The Reserved Storage feature should be there. Luckily, you don’t have to activate the thing – it will run in the background automatically.

How to disable Windows 10 Reserved Storage?

If your hard drive is running out of free space, you might wish to turn the setting off. Good old Microsoft claims that Reserved Storage cannot be disabled, whereas this is not so. And here is the trick:

Back up your important data. For instance, you can make use of an external hard drive or a cloud solution, migrate your files to another PC, or use Auslogics BitReplica to secure your precious things against permanent loss.

Now it is time to back up your system registry. The component in question should never be gambled with: if misused, it can cause your operating system to go haywire. Therefore, let’s take precautions:

  • Open the Run app (press the Windows logo key + R shortcut).
  • Enter regedit into the Run area.
  • Hit the Enter button on your keyboard.
  • Go to the File tab and opt for Export.
  • Click Export Range and select All.
  • Choose where to back up your registry.
  • Name your backup file and click Save.
  • In the Registry Editor, move to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ReserveManager.
  • In the right pane, navigate to ShippedWithReserves. Double-click it.
  • Into the Value data box, input 0.
  • Close the Registry Editor program and then restart your computer.

In a nutshell, Reserved Storage is, by and large, quite a handy feature that is expected to improve the disk space management and day-to-day performance of your computer. That said, the thing is still being tested. Hopefully, it will prove a real boon to Windows 10 users, but only time will tell. For the time being, to tweak your system, you can use a reliable and polished tool: Auslogics BoostSpeed is trusted by millions and is world-famous for its unique optimization techniques.

Do you have any questions regarding Reserved Storage on Windows 10?

Ask them in the comments section below for us to be able to help you!