Windows 10 Increases in Size
The Windows 10 May 2019 update brought some unwelcome news. Microsoft used the update to increase the Windows 10 installation size from 16GB for 32-bit, and 20GB for 64-bit, to 32GB for both versions.
The drastic increase in size relates to an alteration to the Windows 10 update process. Previously, an update would have to wait until there was enough space on the host device to download and install. The Windows 10 May 1903 update permanently reserves 7GB of disk space to ensure future updates can complete without fault.
Most desktop and laptop users will not find the size requirement an issue. But mobile users with limited storage certainly will, especially given the storage on many mobile devices is near impossible to replace or upgrade.
What does that mean for Windows 10 users using devices with smaller storage?
Unfortunately, you will remain stuck on Windows 10 version 1809 for the remainder of its supported life. That support ends on May 12, 2020. There is also a long-term servicing branch for 1809, delivering bug fixes and security updates until January 2024, and then security fixes only until January 2029.
Given May 2020 is less than a year away already, and users have done nothing wrong, Microsoft should consider offering each extended user support.