Re Enable Reserved Storage in Windows 11 When You Want It Back
Disabling reserved storage was never a one-way door. The same command that switched it off switches it back on, and there are good moments to do exactly that — before a feature update, or on a PC that keeps filling itself up. Here is the clean way back, and how to prove the reserve is really active again.
✍️ Technical Anshu🪟 Windows 11⏱️ 6 minute read
🎥 Watch the full process in the video — the reserved storage check and fix, step-by-step
Plenty of people disable the reserve in a tight month and then forget it exists. That is fine — until a feature update arrives on a full drive and fails. Re-enabling takes twenty seconds and restores the original bargain: Windows guarantees its own working room, and updates stop depending on how tidy you kept the drive. Use it tactically. Off when you need the space and can supervise updates yourself; on when the PC must simply not fail an update.
Command Prompt (Admin) — turning the reserve back on
C:\Users\Admin> DISM /Online /Set-ReservedStorageState /State:Enabled
Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.26100.1
Image Version: 10.0.26100.1
The operation completed successfully.
C:\Users\Admin> DISM /Online /Get-ReservedStorageState
Reserved storage is enabled.
👆 Enable, then verify with the Get command in the same window. Trust the state line, not the free space total.
1
When Re-Enabling Makes Sense
Three situations call for the safety net.
A feature update is coming and your drive is usually tight
The PC belongs to family or office users who will never free space manually
You are handing the PC over, selling it, or returning it to a standard setup
If none of those apply and you happily keep 15 GB free yourself, staying disabled is equally legitimate. This is a preference with a safety trade, not a fault to fix.
2
Run the Enable Command
Same tool, same window, opposite word.
Open Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)
Run DISM /Online /Set-ReservedStorageState /State:Enabled
Wait for The operation completed successfully, then restart the PC
Make sure some free space exists before you start — Windows cannot reserve room that is not there, and it will not delete your files to create it.
3
Give Windows Room to Rebuild the Reserve
The state flips instantly, but the held space refills as Windows works — servicing operations and update checks claim it back into the protected pool. Do not panic if the Settings figure looks small an hour later.
Keep a few gigabytes free for a day or two after enabling
Let the PC check for updates once, so the servicing stack exercises the reserve
Then read the real figure on the System & reserved page
4
Verify It Both Ways
Two independent witnesses, thirty seconds.
DISM /Online /Get-ReservedStorageState reports Reserved storage is enabled
Settings → System → Storage → Show more categories → System & reserved shows a Reserved storage line with a size
If DISM says enabled but the Settings line has not appeared yet, restart once and look again. The command state is the authority; the Settings page is the display.
🔴 Toggling is allowed. Some admins disable the reserve day to day and enable it before Patch Tuesday and feature updates. There is no penalty counter and no wear — it is a state, not a modification.
🎥 Watch the Complete Video Guide
The video shows the full reserved storage toggle — check it if you want to see both directions before trying.
The state is immediate. The protected space refills as Windows services the system, so judge it by the Settings figure after a restart and an update check rather than instantly.
Will re-enabling delete any of my files to make room?
No. Windows never deletes user files to build the reserve. If the drive is completely full, the reserve simply cannot claim its full size until space exists.
Can I enable it with PowerShell instead?
Yes. The PowerShell equivalents are Get-WindowsReservedStorageState to check and Set-WindowsReservedStorageState to change it, run from an elevated PowerShell window.
This guide is based on the Technical Anshu reserved storage video • Stuck on any step? Ask in the video comments — you will get a reply there 🙏