How to Enable or Disable Reserved Storage on Windows 11

Windows 11 comes with a feature called Reserved Storage, which automatically sets aside a portion of disk space for system updates, apps, and temporary files. This ensures smooth updates and prevents issues caused by low storage. However, not everyone finds it necessary—especially on devices with limited disk space. If you want to enable or disable Reserved Storage on Windows 11, here’s how to do it.

What is Reserved Storage

Reserved Storage is a storage management feature introduced in Windows 10 and carried over to Windows 11. By default, Windows sets aside around several gigabytes. This space is primarily used for:

• Windows Updates
• System cache and temporary files
• Application installation support

Should You Disable Reserved Storage

• Keep it Enabled. While disabling Reserved Storage can free up several gigabytes of space, it is generally not recommended by Microsoft for most users. Disabling it might lead to update failures (like error 0x80070070) if your disk space becomes low.
• Consider Disabling it only if you’re running low on disk space and prefer to manage temporary files manually.

How to Check Reserved Storage Status

Before you try to change anything, it's good to know the current status.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

2. Go to System > Storage.

3. Click on Show more categories.

4. Select System & reserved.

5. Look for an entry named Reserved storage. It will show you exactly how much space is currently reserved.

Enable or Disable Reserved Storage via Command Prompt

You can manage Reserved Storage with DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool).

1. Type cmd in the Search bar. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

2. Copy and paste the following command, then press Enter:

3. To check current status, run:

DISM /Online /Get-ReservedStorageState

4. To disable Reserved Storage, run:

DISM /Online /Set-ReservedStorageState /State:Disabled

5. To enable Reserved Storage, run:

DISM /Online /Set-ReservedStorageState /State:Enabled

6. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect 

Enable or Disable Reserved Storage via Registry

You also can manually change the storage settings via registry. Modifying the Registry can affect system stability. Always create a backup or restore point before making changes.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ReserveManager

3. On the right panel, find the entry named ShippedWithReserves. If it doesn’t exist, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value with that name.

4. Set the value:

• 1 to Enable Reserved Storage
• 0 to Disable Reserved Storage

Conclusion

Reserved Storage in Windows 11 is a helpful feature for most users, ensuring updates and installations go smoothly. However, those who need every bit of space on smaller drives may prefer disabling it. With the Registry Editor or DISM commands, you can turn Reserved Storage on or off according to your needs. But there's actually a better way to free up space without disabling reserved storage: use Wise Disk Cleaner to clean your disk.