16gb enough for windows 7?

Biz.Kid09 · 4 Jul 2010 at 16:45

Basically i have been offered a 16gb ssd from a netbook for cheap and i was just wondering if it would be ok to just use as a boot drive? and install everything else on my 500gb.
Thanks

Brizzles · 4 Jul 2010 at 16:49

Yes.

Win 7 will install around 11gb.

It will be tight for any other apps, but as a solely O/S drive 16G is fine

Biz.Kid09 · 4 Jul 2010 at 16:50

Ok cool....Does it need to have TRIM? if its only a OS drive?

MeMeMeMe · 4 Jul 2010 at 17:23

I'd recommend going higher. Windows 7 easily takes about 15GB, and can grow bigger as you install updates etc. My Windows folder (Win7 Pro 64bit) is currently 18GB.

Also, even if the windows directory itself fit on a 16gb drive, the install needs space for your Users folder too. That stores your user profiles. The user profile contains my documents, etc., which can be transferred to another drive. It also contains an AppData folder which many programs use to store stuff in, and this CAN'T be moved to another drive (some websites do have tricks to let you do this, but microsoft documentation points out that this may break windows update).
My appdata folder is 3GB.

So, I would recommend a minimum 30GB drive for Windows 7.

Mattus · 4 Jul 2010 at 17:30

I agree that you'll probably find it difficult. A fresh install of Win7 is generally about 11GB, but the folder will grow over time, even if you install all your software to another drive. Mine is currently 18GB, even though I try to install everything to another partition.

UncertainGod · 4 Jul 2010 at 17:40

The recommended requirements for win 7 are 16Gb for 32bit & 20Gb for 64 bit so I think you'd be pushing it somewhat.

Biz.Kid09 · 4 Jul 2010 at 18:29

Ok thanks guys i will give it a miss then and try and wait for a bigger one.

bhavv · 4 Jul 2010 at 22:53

My windows 7 partition is at 60 Gb -OS, drivers, and silly my docs.

I never figured out how to chance the my docs directory, but the partition is 80 Gb so its fine.

I really would go for a minimum of 64 Gb for the OS drive.

Saxon · 4 Jul 2010 at 22:57

Mines at 24 Gig, and I install everything else on another drive. I hate the way Windows leaves traces of crap behind.

olivier renault · 4 Jul 2010 at 23:11

too small. Also I'd really question the quality of a cheap 16 gb drive. I'd stick with a known brand with good support.

perry081064 · 5 Jul 2010 at 00:27

it would be a bit tight, i always like to leave around 5 gb spare on my drives.

mrteabag · 5 Jul 2010 at 00:33

perry081064 said:
it would be a bit tight

MeMeMeMe · 5 Jul 2010 at 02:45

bhavv said:
I never figured out how to chance the my docs directory

It's easier than ever in win7.
Go to C:\Users\{your user name]
You'll see folders: documents, Videos, pictures, etc.
Rightclick on one of them, and there's a tab: Location.
On that tab, click Move, and you'll be prompted for a new location.

Enter where you want it moved to (like, say, D:\Documents) and then click Yes, when asked, and it will copy the folder and all its contents to the new location.

mame · 5 Jul 2010 at 05:19

That's too small. My Iphone is 16gb, formats to about 14.32 I think.

Nikumba · 5 Jul 2010 at 08:12

Also if it is out of a network it might be one of these SSD on a stick, so do not fit standard SATA connectors.

Also the drive out of a netbook is not likely to have the performance of a proper SSD

Kimbie

Admiral Huddy · 5 Jul 2010 at 08:25

Problem is not the size of Windows, it when applications automatically load in to the partition you don't know about or have control over.

anything I don't mind · 5 Jul 2010 at 13:17

16gb is not enough for windows 7.

theheyes · 5 Jul 2010 at 16:35

Forget it. You could get W7 on it, but there is very little point imo as everything else would have to be offloaded onto a slow mechanical disk anyway.

Destination · 5 Jul 2010 at 19:09

Heh, when i first read the topic header I thought the chap was showing off about a very large amount of RAM

Se7ven · 5 Jul 2010 at 19:51

i struggle with win7 on a 32gb ssd