Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Plan for about 20–30% more free space than the game’s current store or launcher listing, then add separate headroom if the game is installed on your Windows drive. That percentage is a practical planning rule, not a published Steam, Microsoft, or industry standard. The launcher’s current install or update prompt takes priority, especially for games with large patches, optional content, or a listed allocation that exceeds the store page.
There is no single number that works for every PC game. A 22 GB title, a 65 GB title, and an 85 GB title have very different requirements, and the space used after installation can grow through updates, local data, and community content.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Use the listing as your baseline, then keep a 20–30% buffer
Find the current storage requirement for the exact game, edition, and launcher you intend to use. Multiply that figure by 1.2 to 1.3 before deciding whether a drive has enough room. This cushion is editorial guidance for planning; official store pages do not publish a universal multiplier.
| Game example | Published storage figure | 20% planning figure | 30% planning figure | What the example shows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sifu | 22 GB (Steam support listing, accessed 2026) | 26.4 GB | 28.6 GB | A relatively small listing can still need several extra gigabytes for installation and later changes. |
| Star Wars Outlaws | 65 GB (Steam support listing, accessed 2026) | 78 GB | 84.5 GB | The Steam listing requires an SSD; the storage figure is a title-specific requirement, not an industry average. |
| Hogwarts Legacy | 85 GB (Steam support listing, accessed 2026) | 102 GB | 110.5 GB | The listing prefers an SSD but supports an HDD, showing that storage-device guidance also varies by game. |
The calculations are estimates, not guarantees that an installer will accept exactly those numbers. If the launcher says it needs more space, use the launcher’s figure. If a game receives frequent large updates or offers optional language packs, texture packs, expansions, or other downloadable components, use more than the lower end of the range.
#1 Best Overall
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
Why a game’s listed size is not its complete storage footprint
Store figures describe a particular version
A store page is a snapshot of the title and edition described there. Requirements can differ between standard, deluxe, and bundled editions; between launchers; and after substantial updates. Check the page again when you are ready to install rather than relying on an old screenshot, a forum post, or a number copied from a different platform.
Updates can require additional working room
Steam identifies patches and updates as possible sources of extra disk use. A game may need room for downloaded update files while existing files remain in place, and the installed total can change after a major patch. The amount is not predictable from the initial store listing, so a frequently updated game deserves a larger cushion.
Local saves and user-created content add up
Steam also points to local saved games and multiplayer custom content as possible additional uses of disk space. These are normally small compared with a modern game’s base installation, but they are not represented by a single headline number and can become significant for games with extensive user-created maps, replay files, or mod-related content.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 4,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
The launcher may report a different allocation
Some installation screens show an allocation or available-space requirement that is larger than the store’s published size. That value is the one to follow for the current installation. It may reflect the launcher’s handling of the download and installation process, the selected components, or an update already queued for the title. Do not assume that having exactly the listed gigabytes guarantees a successful install.
How to work out the space you need before installing
- Check the exact listing. Open the game’s current page in the store or launcher you will use. Note the edition, platform, required storage, optional components, and any SSD requirement.
- Inspect the destination drive. In Windows, open File Explorer and select This PC to see free space for each drive. For a category breakdown, open Settings → System → Storage; this view separates installed apps, temporary files, and system and reserved storage.
- Apply the planning buffer. Multiply the listed game size by 1.2–1.3. For example, an 85 GB listing produces a 102–110.5 GB game-planning range. Treat that range as a target, not a promise from the publisher.
- Read the install prompt. Start the installation far enough to see the launcher’s current required-space message, then cancel if the drive does not have a comfortable margin. If it requests more than your calculation, use the prompt’s larger figure.
- Account for update activity. Give extra room to games with frequent patches, seasonal content, large expansions, or optional high-resolution assets. If you plan to keep several such games on one drive, calculate each title separately before adding the totals.
- Confirm the drive type. Follow the game’s own specification for SSD or HDD support. Do not infer a universal requirement from another title.
Keep Windows update space separate on the system drive
If the game will be installed on the same drive as Windows, the free-space number is not all available for games. Microsoft says a typical feature update may need 6–11 GB or more, while a typical quality update may need 2–3 GB or more. Microsoft also notes that the actual amount depends on the update path and what is installed on the device.
Those figures describe Windows update processing, not a game installer. Feature updates can need temporary room for downloading, installing optional content, and retaining rollback data. Therefore, do not reduce your game cushion to the last few gigabytes simply because File Explorer shows enough space for the base listing.
Rank #3
- PCIe 4.0 Performance: Delivers up to 7,100 MB/s read and 6,000 MB/s write speeds for quicker game load times, bootups, and smooth multitasking
- Spacious 1TB SSD: Provides space for AAA games, apps, and media with standard Gen4 NVMe performance for casual gamers and home users
- Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with laptops, desktops, and select gaming consoles including ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and AYANEO Kun. Also backward compatible with PCIe Gen3 systems for flexible upgrades
- Better Productivity: Up to 2x faster than previous Gen3 generation. Improve performance for real world tasks like booting Windows, starting applications like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and working in applications like Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Trusted Micron Quality: Built with advanced G8 NAND and thermal control for reliable Gen4 performance trusted by gamers and home users
Windows Storage can show system and reserved storage as a separate category. Microsoft describes reserved storage as space used for temporary files, caches, and other files, including by processes such as Windows Update when device space is low. That reservation is part of the operating system’s capacity planning; it is not extra room you can safely count twice for a game.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSSD and HDD requirements are title-specific
| Title | Storage-device guidance in the cited Steam listing | Practical interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Sifu | Not stated in the cited storage evidence | Check the current listing before choosing a drive. |
| Star Wars Outlaws | SSD required | An HDD with enough capacity would still fail the title’s published device requirement. |
| Hogwarts Legacy | SSD preferred; HDD supported | An HDD is supported according to the cited listing, but the SSD is the preferred configuration. |
Capacity and performance are separate decisions. A larger HDD may solve a capacity shortage for a game that supports HDD installation, while a game that requires an SSD needs both adequate free space and the correct device type. The store’s current specification controls.
What to do when a 90 GB game will not install with 140 GB free
This situation can be legitimate without proving a universal hidden-size rule. First, verify that the 90 GB figure and the 140 GB figure refer to the same drive, edition, launcher, and moment in time. Then read the launcher’s exact error or allocation message.
Rank #4
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
- Recheck the current listing and selected optional components. A different language pack, texture pack, edition, or queued update can change the required allocation.
- Confirm that the launcher is installing to the drive you inspected. A default library or cache location on another drive can be the actual constraint.
- Use the launcher’s reported requirement rather than the rounded store figure. Published values can be snapshots, while the installation prompt reflects the current package.
- Check Windows Storage for temporary files and system-reserved space, particularly when the destination is the system drive.
- Leave additional room instead of attempting to fill the drive to its final few gigabytes. The 20–30% rule is a planning target, and a title with active updates may need more.
The available evidence does not establish one universal failure mechanism for every “enough free space” error. The exact message, selected content, destination path, and current update state determine what the launcher is asking for.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Free capacity without deleting everything
Remove or relocate less-used games
Start with installed apps and games shown in Settings → System → Storage. Uninstall titles you can redownload later, or move them if the launcher supports relocation. Avoid deleting save folders until you have confirmed whether saves are synchronized or backed up.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Use more than one Steam library drive
Steam supports library folders on multiple drives and moving installed games between them. In Steam’s storage management view, add a library folder on a second internal drive, select an installed game, and use the move option to transfer it. This changes where the files live; it does not reduce that game’s published requirement.
Best Value
- SPEED UP PROJECTS. Launch creator applications fast with uncompromising PCIe 4.0 read speeds up to 7,100MB/s,[2] (1TB and 2TB[1] models) and write speeds up to 6,700MB/s[2] (1TB[1]-4TB[1] models).
- CREATE AND STORE MORE. Make more room for your 4K videos and high-resolution images with capacities from 500GB[1] up to 4TB[1] on M.2 2280 built with our trusted 8th generation SANDISK BiCS QLC 3D CBA NAND.
- IT GOES WHERE YOU GO. With an all-new power efficient design, your drive delivers high performance with low power, giving you more time to be productive while on the go.
- UNCOMPROMISED RELIABILITY. With up to 1,200 TBW[3] (4TB[1] model) endurance rating, your drive is designed for creators.
- KEEP YOUR DRIVE UPDATED. Monitor your SSD’s performance and check for updates with the downloadable SANDISK Dashboard application.[5]
Add internal capacity when the pattern is recurring
If the same drive repeatedly falls below a useful buffer, an additional internal drive can provide capacity for a separate library. Choose the drive type required by the games you play and compare the available capacity with the combined planning figures for your library. The evidence here does not establish a best model, fixed price, or guaranteed performance improvement, so the decision should remain at the category level.
Clear temporary files carefully
Windows Storage identifies temporary files separately, which can help locate reclaimable space. Review the categories before removal, especially downloads, shader caches, and files belonging to applications you still use. Keep personal files and any backup you may need for reinstalling or recovering saves.
A practical capacity checklist for a new game
- Current requirement for the exact edition and launcher recorded.
- Destination drive confirmed in File Explorer and the launcher.
- At least 20–30% above the listing reserved as a planning buffer.
- Extra allowance made for frequent updates, optional content, saves, or custom multiplayer files.
- Windows update headroom preserved when the destination is the system drive: Microsoft’s general guidance is 6–11 GB or more for a feature update and 2–3 GB or more for a quality update.
- SSD or HDD requirement checked for this title, not inferred from another game.
- Launcher’s current installation or update prompt treated as authoritative if it requests more.
- A second Steam library or another storage drive considered when the buffer cannot be maintained.
Bottom line: plan for the game, its updates, and the operating system
There is no reliable universal free-space number for every new PC game. Use the current listing as the starting point, reserve roughly 20–30% more as practical breathing room, and increase that margin for update-heavy or component-rich titles. On a Windows system drive, preserve separate space for Windows’ variable update process. When the launcher asks for more than the store page, follow the launcher, verify the edition and destination, and make room rather than assuming the published figure is the complete installation footprint.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
