1. A method comprises: storing data files utilizing a dispersed storage error coding function, wherein a data file of the data files is encoded using the dispersed storage error coding function to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices, wherein the plurality of sets of encoded data slices is stored in memory, and wherein the dispersed storage error coding function includes a pillar width parameter and a decode threshold parameter, where the pillar width parameter is at least 1.8 times the decode threshold parameter; determining whether to adjust the pillar width parameter based one or more memory performance characteristics; and when the pillar width parameter is to be decreased: identifying one or more pillars within the memory to delete to produce one or more identified pillars; identifying encoded data slices of one or more of the data files stored in the one or more identified pillars to produce identified encoded data slices; and deleting the identified encoded data slices.