How to Enable/Disable Reserved Storage in Windows 10? [Step-by-Step Guide] -

Windows is one of the most renowned operating systems globally, with features that account for its diverse functionality. Designed to perform numerous essential tasks, Windows is crafted to offer user-friendliness to its users. This is exemplified by the continuous efforts Windows makes to enhance the user experience.

In Windows 10, the operating system introduced a notable feature called "Reserved Storage." This article focuses on exploring Reserved Storage in Windows 10 and guiding users on how to enable or disable it on their devices.

An Overview of Reserved Storage in Windows 10

The Reserved Storage feature was introduced in Windows 10 version 1903, altering the approach to managing disk space. Given that users often encountered difficulties in managing their disk storage, the necessity for a reserved space became crucial. Consequently, Windows 10 introduced an update that set aside a portion of the HDD as dedicated storage for system tasks.

Although nearly 7GB of disk space is allocated for the operating system, this allocation aids in storing updates, temporary files, applications, and system cache (including Windows SSD cache). It ensures a more seamless operation flow for the OS, enhancing its adaptability and accessibility to different environments. The size of the Reserved Storage in Windows 10 is thought to change over time, primarily depending on the system's usage and the efficiency of its workflow.

Having the Reserved Storage feature on your Windows 10 computer offers numerous benefits. It prevents the total depletion of disk storage on your system, thereby enhancing its overall functionality significantly. To provide users with more control over this feature, they have the option to enable or disable Reserved Storage on their Windows 10 devices as per their preference.

How to Enable Reserved Storage in Windows 10?

Reserved Storage in Windows 10 is a feature with its own set of advantages and disadvantages concerning usability across various devices. As such, it is up to the user to decide how to manage this feature on their Windows 10 system. If you want to activate it on your computer, there are two distinct methods or approaches. Let's explore how to enable Reserved Storage on your Windows 10: 1. **Using Settings App:** - Step 1: Press the 'Windows Key + I' to open the Settings app. - Step 2: In the Settings window, navigate to 'System' and then click on 'Storage.' - Step 3: Scroll down to find the 'Manage storage settings' section, and under that, click on 'Change reserved storage settings.' - Step 4: Here, you will see an option to 'Turn on reserved storage.' Toggle the switch next to it to enable the feature. 2. **Using Command Prompt:** - Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, search for 'Command Prompt' in the Start menu, right-click on it, and select 'Run as administrator.' - Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter: ``` diskpart ``` - Step 3: Now, type the following command and press Enter: ``` list volume ``` - Step 4: Identify the volume with the label "Windows reserved" or "System Reserved," usually Volume 1 or Volume 2. - Step 5: Type the following command, replacing 'X' with the volume number you identified in the previous step, and press Enter: ``` select volume X ``` - Step 6: Finally, enable Reserved Storage by typing: ``` enable reservedstorage ``` - Step 7: Close the Command Prompt. After completing either method, your Windows 10 system will have Reserved Storage enabled. Keep in mind that this feature reserves a portion of your disk space to ensure smooth functioning and updates of your operating system.

Method 1: Through the Registry Editor

Method 2: Through Command Prompt

Method 1: Through the Registry Editor

Step 1: You need to commence by launching the Run program on your computer. Achieve this by using the shortcut keys "Windows + R." Upon the window popping up, type "regedit." This will bring the Registry Editor into view.

Step 2: You need to traverse the following path in the Registry Editor. To do this conveniently, you can copy and paste the path into your address bar:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ReserveManager This is a path to a specific registry key in the Windows operating system. In English, it would be: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ReserveManager The Registry Editor is a tool in Windows that stores configuration settings and options for the operating system and installed applications. The key mentioned here, "ReserveManager," is related to how Windows manages resources for updates or other system processes.

Step 3: While searching through this address, make sure the "ReserveManager" folder is included in the list.

Step 4: On the right-hand panel, right-click on the empty space and choose "New." Then, create a "DWORD (32-bit) Value." Name the registry key as "ShippedWithReserves."

Step 5: You need to open the registry key by double-clicking on it. Type the value of "1" in the "Value data:" field and click "OK." Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 2: Through Command Prompt

Step 1: To launch the Command Prompt, click on the "Search" icon on the taskbar, then type "cmd." When the search results appear, right-click on "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator."

Step 2: This will launch the Command Prompt. Next, you need to confirm that the Reserved Storage feature is enabled. To do this, enter the following command in the CMD:

DISM /Online /Get-ReservedStorageState

Step 3: To enable the Reserved Storage feature in Windows 10, you need to run the following command:

DISM /Online /Set-ReservedStorageState /State:Enabled

How to Disable Reserved Storage in Windows 10?

Although you can enable this feature throughout Windows 10, you can also disable it effortlessly. There are two methods available to disable the feature on your Windows 10 system. Read through the methods to gain a detailed understanding of the process:

Method 1: Through the Registry Editor

Method 2: Via Command Prompt

Method 1: Through the Registry Editor

Step 1: Click on the "Search" icon on the taskbar and type "Run" to open the Run program. When it appears, type "regedit" to initiate the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Enter the following path navigation in the address bar at the top:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ReserveManager This is a path in the Windows Registry Editor. In English, it would be: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ReserveManager

As you navigate to the respective address, locate and select the "ReserveManager" folder in the left-hand panel.

Step 3: On the right-hand panel, search for "ShippedWithReserves" and double-click to open it. Enter the value of 0 in the "Value data:" field and click "OK." You will then need to restart your Windows 10 computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 2: Through Command Prompt

Step 1: To launch Command Prompt with administrator privileges, initiate by typing "cmd" into the Search bar of your Windows 10. As the results appear, locate the option "Run as administrator" in the right-hand pane of the window.

Step 2: With the command prompt open, check the status using the following command:

DISM /Online /Get-ReservedStorageState

To check the status and disable the feature on your Windows 10, you can use the following command:

DISM /Online /Set-ReservedStorageState /State:Disabled

Final Words

This article has examined and evaluated the characteristics of the Windows 10 Reserved Storage feature, offering users a comprehensive understanding of its operation. It also provides guidance on how to enable or disable this function, enabling you to effectively utilize it on your Windows device.

Reserved Storage FAQs 1. What is Reserved Storage? Reserved Storage is a feature that allocates a portion of your device's storage to ensure smooth system performance, updates, and background tasks. This reserved space is not available for user data storage but helps in maintaining the overall efficiency of the device. 2. How much storage is reserved on my device? The amount of storage reserved may vary depending on the device and its operating system. Typically, it can range from a few gigabytes (GB) to over 10 GB. Check your device settings or manufacturer's information for specific details. 3. Can I adjust the amount of Reserved Storage? In most cases, the amount of Reserved Storage is managed automatically by the operating system and cannot be directly modified by users. It's designed to optimize performance, so tampering with it could potentially affect your device's stability. 4. Will Reserved Storage affect my ability to install apps or save files? While Reserved Storage takes up some space on your device, it should not significantly impact your ability to install apps or save files, as it's separate from the user-available storage. However, if you're running low on storage, deleting unnecessary files and apps can help free up space. 5. Does Reserved Storage grow over time? Yes, Reserved Storage might increase over time as the operating system and apps get updated, learn from your usage patterns, and store temporary files. However, it should not grow uncontrollably, and regular maintenance can help keep it in check. 6. Can I clear Reserved Storage to free up space? It's generally not recommended to manually clear Reserved Storage, as doing so may disrupt the functioning of your device. Instead, focus on managing user data, such as deleting old files, photos, and apps, to free up space. 7. Will updating my device's software increase Reserved Storage? Software updates often require additional space for temporary files during installation. Once the update is complete, the extra space used should be released back to the system. However, some updates might permanently allocate more space for Reserved Storage to improve performance. 8. How do I monitor Reserved Storage on my device? To view the amount of Reserved Storage on your device, go to the Settings app, then look for options related to storage management or storage usage. The exact steps may vary depending on the device and operating system. 9. Is Reserved Storage the same as System Storage? Reserved Storage is a subset of System Storage, which also includes the space taken up by the operating system, essential system apps, and other components required for your device to function. 10. Will Reserved Storage affect the expandable storage (e.g., SD card)? Reserved Storage typically refers to the internal storage of a device and does not directly impact expandable storage like SD cards. However, it's still important to manage the overall storage on your device, including external storage, to ensure optimal performance.

As you learn more about the Reserved Storage feature in Windows 10, certain questions might come to mind. To address these, we have compiled a list of significant queries below:

1. Can I delete the reserved storage for Windows 10?

Yes, you can indeed remove or disable the Reserved Storage on your Windows device. You can also reduce the required space by uninstalling any available optional features.

2. Do I need reserved storage in Windows 10? No, reserved storage is not a mandatory feature in Windows 10. Reserved storage, introduced in Windows 10 version 1903, is designed to help the operating system run smoothly by setting aside a portion of your hard drive space for system updates, temporary files, and other background tasks. However, if you prefer to manage your disk space manually or have sufficient storage for these purposes, you can disable reserved storage. To do this, go to Settings > System > Storage, and under "Manage storage sense or configure local reserve space," turn off the reserve storage option.

Multiple files need to be processed across the Windows system, and with limited storage space, managing these efficiently can become quite challenging for the operating system, potentially leading to unresponsive processes. To prevent such issues and ensure the smooth functioning of Windows, it is advisable to allocate a certain portion of your storage as a reserve. This reserve space helps the system to handle updates, system caches, applications, and temporary files effortlessly, thereby avoiding any irregularities in the Windows device's operation.

3. What is consuming all my storage space in Windows 10?

To examine where storage is being used in Windows 10, follow these steps: 1. Open "Settings" on your computer. 2. Navigate to the "System" category. 3. Within "System," locate and select the "Storage" option. 4. Examine the section related to the C: drive to see which elements are occupying the hard drive space. 5. To view additional file categories, click on "Show more categories." 6. To check the storage usage of other drives, choose "View storage usage on other drives." These steps will help you analyze and manage your storage space in Windows 10.