Updates taking too much diskspace.

Question

My computer's SSD has very limited free space. It seems Microsoft Office presumes a computer has a very large HD. I currently only have 158 GB of free space left after spending at least an hour of my weekend freeing 2 GB of space.

It looks like I need to reduce my annual subscription to a smaller product.

Answer 1

Windows and Microsoft 365 updates do not require anywhere near 158 GB of free space. Typical requirements are:

• Feature updates: usually 6–11 GB or more of free space
• Quality (monthly) updates: usually 2–3 GB or more of free space

If there isn’t enough space, Windows will show a notification and offer a Fix issues option, including using an external drive to temporarily extend storage. It will also temporarily disable some large system files (like hiberfile.sys and pagefile.sys) during the update to reuse that space, then re-enable them afterward. Because of this, the actual free space needed can vary, but it is still far below 158 GB.

With 158 GB free, the device already exceeds the storage needed for Windows and Office updates, so reducing the Microsoft 365 subscription will not meaningfully change local disk usage for updates.

If low disk space warnings appear in the future, use the built-in tools instead of changing subscription:

1. Run Storage / Cleanup recommendations:
   • Select Start > Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations and remove suggested items.
2. Use Disk Cleanup (Windows 10):
   • Search for disk cleanup, select the drive, then Clean up system files and remove temporary/system files that are safe to delete.
3. If an update still reports low space, use an external drive:
   • Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and choose Fix issues if offered.
   • Attach a USB drive/SD card with at least 10 GB free and follow the wizard to complete the update using external storage.

These steps address update disk-space needs without changing the Microsoft 365 subscription.

---

References:

• Free up space for Windows updates
• Free up drive space in Windows
• Windows 10 update issues on devices with low storage space

Answer 2

"It looks like I need to reduce my annual subscription to a smaller product."

A larger hard drive is a better idea. Today, hard drives of 1 TB and more are common, and inexpensive. If you're so pressed for space that even 2 GB is significant, you deserve a larger hard drive.

Having two hard drives gives you an extra advantage: You can store Windows and your software on one hard drive, and your personal files on the second hard drive. If you ever have a problem with Windows or with your software that makes a mess of your computer, you don't have to worry about your personal files because they are on a different hard drive.

Answer 3

All versions of Microsoft Office will use the exact same space on your drive, the applications are the exact same in each version of Office.

Download the free TreeSize app from the Microsoft Store.

Very Important - to run TreeSize, you must right click its icon and choose Run as Administrator.

Please provide a screenshot of your C drive in that TreeSize utility, so I can see your hard drive and work out where that space is being used and if there is an underlying problem.

Please ensure the full TreeSize window is in the screenshot, there is information on the top and bottom bars I needs to see.