Windows 10 upgrades using external hard drive

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  1. Posts : 18
    PC Chrome
       #1

    Windows 10 upgrades using external hard drive


    I am unable to use the latest upgrades due to lack of storage. My SD drive won't accept the new upgrades. Can I use
    the Seagate - Expansion 1TB External USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive

    to accept the new upgrades?



      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    You need to reduce the used space on your SSD.

    Ideas discussed again recently e.g. here:
    my SSD is already running out of space - Windows 10 Forums
    Making Space to C drive - Windows 10 Forums

    If desperate (I don't know how large your SSD is or if you have other disks) then after the above:
    Compress or Uncompress Windows 10 with Compact OS General Tips Tutorials
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 15,426
    Windows10
       #3

    dalchina said:
    You need to reduce the used space on your SSD.

    Ideas discussed again recently e.g. here:
    my SSD is already running out of space - Windows 10 Forums
    Making Space to C drive - Windows 10 Forums

    If desperate (I don't know how large your SSD is or if you have other disks) then after the above:
    Compress or Uncompress Windows 10 with Compact OS General Tips Tutorials
    Actually, plugging in an external drive will do the job as it will use that as temporary space, and even put windows.old on it if necessary.

    You do need at least 3.5 GB free on internal drive though.

    Of course, running main drive so full can lead to other problems.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18
    PC Chrome
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Two questions:
    Are you suggesting that I put windows.old on the external drive?
    What kind of problems might occur on my main drive?; I have about 1. 5 GB remaining
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #5

    Well, that's very little unless you only have a 32Gb drive, say (not stated in your specs).

    You don't have personal control of Windows.old during the upgrade- creating that version of your Windows folder is part of the process.

    You should most certainly seriously review your use of space for simple functional reasons. For example if your paging file is on your SSD, that's usually dynamic and could easily result in your system being significantly slowed.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 18
    PC Chrome
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Also, are you saying I can't add an external drive without 3.5 gb free on the internal drive?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 41,366
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #7

    Windows will check the system reserved partition MSR and it too needs to have sufficient free space so if you can download and install mini partition wizard and display an image into the thread.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18
    PC Chrome
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Okay, but what is the minimum sufficient space needed?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #9

    Forgetting any external drive, you should allow about 20Gb free space on your disk for larger disks- or allow, say, the size your Windows folder is + 8Gb free space as a rough guide for the upgrade.

    However I suspect your device has a small SSD (See article below).
    Hence see the last URL in my first post.

    Allow perhaps 1.5Gb unallocated space should Windows need to create a new Recovery partition (These were under 500Gb, but I've seen some bigger ones).

    However for small SSDs note:
    Microsoft cutting space requirements for Windows 10 - ExtremeTech

    and generalised comments here:
    Step-by-Step Guide to Reducing Windows 10 On-Disk Footprint
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 18
    PC Chrome
    Thread Starter
       #10

    What are some good ways to create more space on my 29 gb hard drive? i have used System Mechanic, but not sure which programs I can delete otherwise.
      My Computer


 

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