mechanical hard drives Archives

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Windows 10 Support Ending: Complete Windows 11 Upgrade Guide

Upgrading to Windows 11 involves careful planning and preparation. Start by updating Windows 10 to ensure recent updates are applied. Acquire a USB flash drive (at least 8GB) for the installation process, and document current software licenses as some applications may require reactivation. Check for driver updates to ensure hardware compatibility with Windows 11. There are three main upgrade methods: 1. Windows Update Automatic Upgrade: Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, check for updates, and if compatible, download and install Windows 11. This method retains files and applications and typically takes 20 to 40 minutes. 2. Media Creation Tool Installation: Download the Media Creation Tool, run it, and follow prompts to create installation media on a USB drive. This method is useful for upgrading multiple devices. 3. Clean Installation Process: Insert the USB drive with setup files, restart the device, boot from the USB, and follow the instructions for a custom installation. This method erases all existing data, so comprehensive backups are necessary. Effective planning is crucial, and it is advisable to start the upgrade process well before the deadline of October 14, 2025. This allows time for testing applications, training staff, and addressing hardware requirements. Ensure all devices are compatible to avoid security issues, and consider a robust data protection strategy, such as a 3-2-1 backup approach. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for users with genuine Windows 10 licenses. If a device does not meet the requirements, it cannot be upgraded. Users can roll back to Windows 10 within 10 days of the upgrade, retaining previous files. The upgrade process typically takes around 20 minutes, depending on various factors. Planning the upgrade early helps mitigate operational disruptions, allowing for staggered upgrades and reduced risks of security vulnerabilities as Windows 10 support ends.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

A 23GB Helldivers 2 Is Better Than A 154GB Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 was initially reported to require 154GB of storage, aimed at accommodating older mechanical hard drives in PCs. However, analytics revealed that only 11% of players used HDDs, and the main cause of slowdowns was level generation rather than asset loading. In response, Arrowhead is testing a "slim" version of the game in public beta, which is 23GB, significantly reducing the storage requirement while maintaining gameplay integrity. This change allows players to install additional games, potentially fitting at least 13 indie city-builders in the space previously occupied by the original version.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Helldivers 2 on PC will now take up 85% less space thanks to reduced installation size

Arrowhead Studios has reduced the installation size of the PC version of Helldivers 2 to 23GB, down from 154GB, by optimizing asset management with Nixxes. This reduction involved eliminating duplicated assets, which previously aimed to enhance loading times for players using mechanical hard drives. The studio confirmed that the majority of loading time is due to level generation rather than asset loading, and the differences in loading times between the new and old versions are minimal. A "slim version" is currently available for testing, with plans to make it the default version after confirming stability. The legacy version is expected to be discontinued next year.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Helldivers 2’s 150GB PC install is “unacceptably large,” and Arrowhead hopes to work out a solution that could “theoretically slice the size in half”

The storage requirement for Helldivers 2 on PC is 150GB, which is significantly larger than the console version. Developer Arrowhead acknowledges the frustration this has caused and considers it a top priority to address. Game director Mikael Eriksson noted that the large file size is due to technical challenges, including the duplication of data files to improve loading times for users with mechanical hard drives (HDDs). In contrast, console file sizes are smaller because they do not require such duplications, as SSDs are standard on those platforms. Arrowhead is committed to optimizing performance and storage efficiency.

AppWizard

October 4, 2025

‘We’re Taking Your Concerns Very Seriously but There Are No Easy Solutions’ — Arrowhead Explains Why the Helldivers 2 Installation Size Is So Big on PC

Arrowhead Studios is addressing concerns about the installation size of Helldivers 2 on PC, which is 150GB—three times larger than the console version. This discrepancy is due to data duplication and limitations of mechanical hard drives (HDDs). The use of HDDs results in longer loading times because of the mechanical process involved in retrieving data. To reduce these loading times, Arrowhead has opted to duplicate certain data files, a practice unnecessary for games on Solid State Drives (SSDs). Approximately 12% of PC gamers still use mechanical HDDs, impacting loading times for missions. The team is working on reducing installation size by removing unused assets and aims to optimize RAM usage and apply data compression in future updates.