Your Windows download keeps getting bigger, and AI is to blame - here's why it matters
Microsoft
Microsoft's Windows ISO downloads have doubled in size over the past decade, now exceeding 8 GB. The primary cause is the inclusion of 3 GB of AI-related files for Copilot+ PCs, even on devices without NPUs. This bloat strains systems with limited storage and increases update sizes.
Windows ISO downloads have grown significantly, with the latest version 25H2 exceeding 8 GB, nearly double the size of the original Windows 10 release. Michael Niehaus, a former Microsoft deployment expert, notes that cumulative updates now include about 3 GB of shared AI models for Copilot+ features, even on non-NPU systems. These AI files are delivered via Windows Update rather than the Microsoft Store, increasing update sizes unnecessarily. The trend poses challenges for corporate deployments and users with 64 GB system drives, as a single installation can consume nearly half that space before any apps are installed. Niehaus recommends at least 128 GB of storage for Windows 11.
- Сокращения
- GB = Gigabyte — Гигабайт
- NPU = Neural Processing Unit — Нейронный процессор
- PC = Personal Computer — Персональный компьютер
- ISO = International Organization for Standardization (file format) — Образ диска
Source: ZDNet AI —
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