How to enable the new Reserved Storage feature in Windows 10 19H1

One of the frustrating things about using Windows on devices with limited storage is having enough space on the drive so that Windows keeps running and new version of Windows can install.

I frequently test Window 10 on my old Linx 7 tablet with a 32gb drive and often when I try and install the latest Windows Insider build it warns me there isn’t enough space for the install.

Starting with Windows 10 19H1 which is the next major update to Windows 10 (due around April) Windows will reserve space on the drive so that there is space for the update and preventing problems with the OS due to lack of storage. Windows will keep an area just for the updates and temp files needed to keep Windows 10 running smoothly.

You can test this out if you are running Window 10 19H1 build 18298 or later.

Here are the steps needed to enable it (taken from the quest in the feedback hub), once you have enabled the setting the change won’t take place until the next build has been installed. I imagine this will be on by default by the time 19H1 rolls out.

1. Right-click the Windows icon on the taskbar, search for Registry Editor, and Open it.

2. If prompted, select Yes to allow the app to make changes to your device.

3. Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ReserveManager.

4. Right click ShippedWithReserves to modify and update the value to “1.”

5. After you upgrade the device to the next available build, you will be using reserved storage!

6. Follow these steps to check the reserved storage size:

a. Click the Windows icon > Settings
> System > Storage .

b. Click Show more categories > System & reserved.

c. Look at the Reserved storage size; the value should be non-zero.

I know it does not help if you are running out of space, but it least it does prevent updates from installing. If you interesting in reading more checkout the post from Microsoft.