Windows to increase minimum storage requirements for 1903 update

Microsoft is about to raise the minimum hard-drive requirements to install future versions of Windows. Currently, these limits are set at 16GB for 32-bit Windows 10 1809, or 20GB for the 64-bit variant of the same. 1809 is the existing newest generally-available version of this OS. However, the one that is slated to come after it may shove some older or less powerful machines out of the cutting edge of the ecosystem.

Windows 10 1903, also known as the May 2019 Update, is undergoing the preliminary stages of its roll-out right now. It has emerged that it needs 32GB of hard-drive storage to run properly following its download. This applies to both its 32- and 64-bit versions for the first time.

It is not clear why the system's maker has taken this decision. It could be that the additional 8 to 16GB of wiggle room is necessary, as the potential size of the actual update stored on a hard-disk has risen to 7GB.

On the other hand, those without this level of free space on their machines may be just as well off with the new update. The new form of Windows has become associated with its own problems already, most notably the possible inability to install onto PCs linked to some forms of physical external storage.