What Size Drive Should I Use for Windows?

December 11, 2025 6 answers
Asked by GamerDude92
I'm looking for some advice on the size of a drive for my Windows installation. I know that having Windows on a separate drive doesn't offer many benefits aside from making certain issues easier to manage, like reinstalling. I just want some straightforward thoughts on what size I should go for. I've come across suggestions that 128GB is the minimum, but I'm leaning towards 256GB. Also, just to provide context, I primarily use my PC for gaming, not much in terms of productivity software, just gaming, YouTube, and general web browsing. Any thoughts on this?

Answers

FutureProof55
I think anything less than 1TB is a bit limiting these days. I use a 1TB drive just for Windows, but I constantly end up needing to install other apps on it. If I could do it over, I would've opted for a 2TB from the start.
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GamerDude92
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StorageNinja77
Honestly, I'd recommend against going for a smaller drive. Smaller SSDs often have slower speeds and lower endurance. Instead, consider getting one larger drive and partitioning it if you want to keep Windows separated from your other files.
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GameOnGal
If you're thinking about a tiny drive just for Windows, even 128GB can work. But it really comes down to what programs you're planning to install there. If you specify your software needs, youโ€™ll know if 256GB is adequate.
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MaxStorageHero
For gaming, I'd say a minimum of 1TB is becoming essential since game sizes are only increasing. I personally have 7TB of SSD space, which is filling up fast, but that might just be my issue!
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TechWiz89
The minimum you need is actually 64GB, but 128GB would work fine if you're just sticking to Windows without extra applications on that drive. Just keep in mind that reinstalling Windows can sometimes be tricky when getting games from other drives to work properly.
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