Windows 10 will consume about 2.6 GB less storage space because the operating system will compress system files. Microsoft's upcoming OS also ships without a recovery image which saves another 4 to 12 GB.
By compressing system files, the OS can save 1.5GB on 32-bit devices, while users running the 64-bit version of the OS can save 2.6GB, Microsoft reports on its own Windows Blog. Not all devices running Windows 10 will be able to benefit from compression, a computer is required to have a minimum of RAM and a CPU that is able to handle compressing and decompressing the files.
Devices that run an earlier Windows version will receive the compression feature automatically when they update to Windows 10 if their device meets the minimum system requirements. New devices with Windows 10 will use the feature if the manufacturer chooses to enable it.
Windows 10 will also come without a recovery image which saves up to 12GB. Many manufacturers now ship their devices with a recovery image so users can reinstall Windows. Windows 10 will no longer require a recovery image but instead comes with the ability to recover itself, something also supported by Windows 8. Users are still able to create their own recovery disk, which also allows backing up the software installed on their device. The recovery disk is for cases where the system is so heavily damaged that the self-recovery process no longer works.
