Windows 10 iso size

[MrOracle]

So I'm building a me pc and I'm gonna to install windows 10 on it.I have the product key already and I have downloaded the 3.something gb iso file from windows website (64 bit version).I know how to make the usb bootable but I don't know why people say I need a 8 gb stick when the iso itself is less than 4 gb.I have. a 4 gb stick that I'm going to be formating and using will this be alright

 

[TerryLaze]

Right click on your iso file and go to properties the file is actually 3,939,252,224 bytes big(3,9Gb) ,this will not fit on a formatted 4Gb usb stick.

 

[Colif]

its grown, the advice even when it was 3,.2 was to use an 8gb USB as it needs room to expand when its running.

 

[smorizio]

with the 8g usb stick you put the windows iso image on it then make a driver folder and install all the newest drivers for the mb. most of the drivers for the mb on the cd and on the web page may be old. also to save time put on the stick your anti virus/flash/java and other apps that would be dowloaded when you install the os clean. for a little bit the bandwith going to be used to registered windows and dowload all the updates.

 

[ShadyHamster]

All you can do is try and see if it works.
The last windows 10 iso i downloaded was only 3.05GB, that's for the x64 version which included home and pro.
Actual file size is 3,275,759,616bytes for anyone interested.
I don't have a 4GB flash drive so i can't test if it works or not.

Why would it need room to expand? ISO's generally aren't compressed, and if you are talking about during setup how does it work with a DVD then?

 

[Colif]

or you have a second hard drive with all those drivers and programs + all your library folders already full, and simply attach hdd after ssd has win 10 on it.

normally safer to dl new copy of av just so you know its up to date. fairly safe behind defender for a few minutes

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

all the 32 or 64 bit Windows 10 ISO's can fit on a 4GB usb memory stick
I expect it is only the combined 32 & 64 bit version that exceeds 3.8 GiB formated size of a 4GB USB

largest I have is 344,2816kb for UK 64 bit November version

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[TerryLaze]

Why would it need room to expand? ISO's generally aren't compressed, and if you are talking about during setup how does it work with a DVD then?

DVD's are 4,7Gb.

 

[Colif]

So, if Windows 10 isn't compressed on USB, how come it takes at least 28gb on the hdd. Surely it should just be under 4gb...

 

[ShadyHamster]

Why would it need room to expand? ISO's generally aren't compressed, and if you are talking about during setup how does it work with a DVD then?

DVD's are 4,7Gb.

Still doesn't explain this comment

its grown, the advice even when it was 3,.2 was to use an 8gb USB as it needs room to expand when its running.

So, if Windows 10 isn't compressed on USB, how come it takes at least 28gb on the hdd. Surely it should just be under 4gb...

I never said windows isn't compressed, I said the ISO's aren't compressed, there's a difference.

 

[TerryLaze]

Still doesn't explain this comment

Multiple files need more space than a single one due to the file system?

 

[ShadyHamster]

Still doesn't explain this comment

Multiple files need more space than a single one due to the file system?

The amount of spaced used between the ISO and the extracted files is insignificant.

 

[wpgwpg]

What's the big deal? 8 GB flash drives cost all of $4. Heck, you can get a 64 GB one these days for $13. You're going to be spending hundreds on a new build, what's another $4?

Good luck.

 

[USAFRet]

So, if Windows 10 isn't compressed on USB, how come it takes at least 28gb on the hdd. Surely it should just be under 4gb...

The ISO file is one thing.
The actual installed space is quite another.

Consider this:
When you purchase a Windows OS, be it 7, 8.1, or 10...how many DVD's does it come on when the mailman puts it in your mailbox?
Exactly 1.

Ergo, a Windows install fits on a single DVD.

Further: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/
"A blank USB or DVD (and DVD burner) with at least 4 GB of space if you want to create media. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted."