How to reduce the reserved storage space on Windows 10

You may not know that in the May 2019 Update, codenamed 19H1 on Windows 10, in addition to the new features announced by Microsoft, there are also new changes that you will recognize during use. and experience it.

And the feature that I want to talk about here is Reserved Storage , I also have a detailed introduction article about this feature, you can find and review here.

With the Reserved Storage feature enabled, Windows 10 will extract a portion of the hard drive space (usually 7GB of space - depending on the device) to make space for updates and important system files.

Well, each of that capacity is relatively small compared to the total capacity of the hard drive at the present time. However, if you want to really save, I still have a way to help you reduce this reserved storage space .

Okay, right now, let's find out more details in this post!

I. Why must reduce the reserved storage space?

As I told you in the previous article, this is a feature that greatly improves the performance of Windows 10.

Specifically, if your Windows does not update (Update), at this time, the capacity of the Reserved Storage folder instead of storing the Windows update data, it will now be used to store data of applications / The software you use most often, and save temporary files, system memory, along with the excellent read and write speed of the SSD drive has greatly accelerated the system.

The reserved storage capacity for this purpose is usually only in the 7GB range as I explained above, but it depends on how you use it later to increase or decrease.

But because in recent years, SSDs are much softer than before, so we often have the habit of adding an SSD to install the operating system, install LOL games, CS: GO, . and the necessary software. (to speed up the system) + with 1 large capacity HDD to store data, games, movies, photos .

The installation of an SSD with limited capacity (usually 120GB) then install more games and software for your work, entertainment ., making the capacity of the hard drive (drive C :) gradually exhausted.

So in some cases, shrinking the Reserved Storage space will help you free up a portion of the hard drive space and reclaim storage space for the computer.

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II. Reduce the reserved storage space on Windows 10

1. Remove add-on packages (Optional Features)

One of the differences of Windows 10 compared to its predecessors is that it adds additional utilities (called Optional Features).

They are not software, but rather a bundle of plug-ins, functionality for Windows 10 or the applications that require it.

Some familiar examples such as Windows Hello Face, Microsoft Paint, . the legendary editor Notepad has now turned into utility packs.

The size of these add-ons is usually negligible, but in some cases, it is the cause of the increased reserved storage space on Windows 10, so you can completely delete the unused ones to save more. save space for the hard drive.

Doing:

How to delete them is not difficult at all, first open up Windows Settings (Windows + I) => and go to Settings Apps => and select the Optional Features line as shown below.

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Here, you will see a list of all utilities and applications installed on the computer in the Installed features section, you can install more by clicking on Add a feature if needed.

Now check that in the list of add-ons, which add-ons you think are not needed, please delete it.

NOTE: But remember to check Google carefully before deleting because it may be the widgets installed by the applications you use.

And when you're sure, just click on that extension => and choose Uninstall, that's it.

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2. Remove extra language packs - Extra Language Packs

Windows 10 in particular and Windows in general, up to now, is not a separate operating system for any country, but it supports almost all countries.

But each country has a different language system, so Windows 10 supports many languages ​​is not too difficult to understand.

Like other extensions, language packs may have been installed accidentally or intentionally on your computer, and you can completely remove them to free up some of your hard drive space.

Doing:

Also in the add-on settings, enter the keyword Language in the search bar on the left sidebar => and select the first result in the list - Language Settings, you will open the language setting on Windows 10. .

All the installed languages ​​appear in the Prefered languages ​​section on the right.

Now you just need to select the languages ​​not in use => and click the Remove button to remove them only.

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3. How to turn off the Reserved Storage feature of Windows 10

This method should only be used when you have no other way, you must use it to use it, because disabling this feature does not reduce much but also affects the Windows 10 system.

In general, I don't really encourage you to do this!

The steps I have detailed in the article of the same name on the blog, you can review here: Instructions to turn off the Reserved Storage feature on Windows 10

III. Conclude

Well, the above are two simple ways to help you reduce the reserved storage space on Windows 10 when it takes up too much space on your hard drive.

Alternatively, you can also turn off Reserved Storage completely as needed, but in general it is not recommended. Hope this article will be useful for you. Good luck !

David Pac

Update 29 March 2021