If the historical data must still be downloaded and processed for a pruned node, how can you do that on a 256GB machine? I guess an external drive is my only option here.
Discussion
It deletes after it doesn't need it
Ok, so “the historical data must still be downloaded and processed, but will be deleted _afterwards_ to keep your disk usage low” means the full Bitcoin block chain doesn’t need to be downloaded and stored on your computer before it starts deleting the data?
A pruned node just stores the most recent blocks
Thank you, Bens never let you down