COMPTIA A+ Practice Exam 2025 - Free CompTIA A+ Practice Questions and Study Guide

The minimum HDD space requirement for Windows 7 (32-bit) is 16GB. This specification is based on Microsoft's system requirements for the operating system, which indicate that 16GB is the least amount of disk space needed for installation. This value allows enough room for the operating system files, which include core system files, drivers, and necessary system services that are essential for the proper functioning of the OS.

While there are other options listed, such as 10GB, 12GB, and 20GB, they do not fulfill the minimum requirement specified by Microsoft. A capacity of 10GB is too low as it would not accommodate all necessary files for installation and operation. On the other hand, 12GB is also insufficient, similarly leading to potential installation errors or performance issues due to lack of space. Although 20GB exceeds the minimum requirement, it is not the requirement itself, as the exact threshold noted by Microsoft for a successful installation stands at 16GB. Thus, 16GB is both the minimum requirement and adequate for the typical system files and updates that may need to be stored over time.