Windows home force update with external storage
Free up space for Windows 10 updates
Windows 10 updates provide the latest features and security improvements to help keep your PC more current and more secure. Before the installation process starts, Windows checks to make sure there’s enough storage space on your device for the installation process and for these new features and security improvements.
If there isn’t enough open space on your internal drive, you’ll see a message (like the one below) that tells you Windows requires more space.
Windows needs space to update
We can’t install the latest Windows 10 features and security improvements on your PC due to low disk space.
Get more space with external storage
You can temporarily gain extra space by using an external storage device like a USB drive, an SD card, or an external hard drive.
Here’s what you’ll need:
An external storage device with 10GB or more of free space, depending on how much additional space you need.
An internet connection.
Here’s how to do it:
From the Windows update page, select Fix issues. This launches the Windows update tool that lets you update your PC using an external storage device.
Before you use an external storage device for updating, make sure you back up any important files.
Connect your external storage device and select it from the drop-down menu.
Select Next and follow the instructions to finish installing the update.
Once the installation is complete, you can safely remove your external storage device.
Even after selecting external storage, if you don’t have enough free space on your internal drive, you might be prompted to free up more space.
If you don’t want to use external storage, select I don’t want to use external storage.
Free up space on your device
Here’s how to get more storage space on your device’s internal hard drive:
Open your Recycle Bin and remove deleted files.
Open your Downloads and delete any files you don’t need.
Note: if you don’t know how to find your Recycle Bin or your Downloads, search for them in the search box on your taskbar.
If you still need more space, Open your Storage Use.
This will open Settings > System > Storage.
Select Temporary Files and delete any files you don’t need.
Return to Windows needs space to update.
If you still see Windows needs space to update, repeat the process or consider deleting unneeded files from other folders. Alternatively, consider moving some files to external storage if you haven’t already.
When finished, select Start > Power > Restart.
Windows 10 Upgrade using an External Storage Media
If your device has a 16 or 32 GB hard drive and you can’t clear the required 3.5 GB of space to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10, you can upgrade using an External storage device like a USB Flash drive, or SD card with at least 10 GB of free space.
When Windows 10 indicates it needs more space to upgrade, you will see an option to free up space or choose another drive. At this point, plug in an external storage device (like a USB Flash drive, SD card or an external hard drive) that has at least 10 GB of free space to hold the setup files. Then continue updating your device to the latest version of Windows 10.
When I got this message, I plugged in a SD card on the D Drive, however, I kept getting this message that I required 6 GB of space on the C drive. It didn’t matter what I did, I would keep getting this message.
This happens every time I try to upgrade. What can I do? Where do I go from here?
Thank you for your kind response.
Replies (4)
I’m Ugo, a Microsoft Independent Advisor willing to help other Microsoft customers.
Regarding your question, as a first troubleshooting option, can you please trying updgrading again following the below guide?
DISCLAIMER: In this post are linked some non-Microsoft websites and there may be ads on the pages for products & services including products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Product). Please thoroughly research any product / service advertised on the pages before you decide to use them. Your discretion is very much advised.
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Hi Joan. I’m Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.
There are tips here for managing smaller drives including 32gb drives:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/.
Then for version Upgrades what works best is to install the Media Creation Tool on another PC to create bootable media or download the ISO to stick or disk, transfer it back to the target PC to open the media or click to mount the ISO, right click Setup file to Run as Administrator. This avoids needing the space to download the Upgrade and it’s staging files.
If that’s not enough then clean out the Upgrade Assistant and it’s staging files first to recover that space:
First turn off Windows Update service to regain control:
Type services.msc in Start Search, Open Services applet.
Scroll Down to Windows Update Service and click on it, Stop service and set to Disabled. Now it should clear the queue of Version and other Updates until you turn it back on and Check again.
Uninstall Upgrade Assistant In Settings > Apps & Features.
Clear out any Upgrade folders in C: drive root. Restart PC, try Upgrade again.
There is also an automated Fresh Start that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn’t clear the drive to get it cleanest: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-.
You can also turn off or block Updates if they are bothering you.
If you want you can set a Metered Connection per the above tutorial, then when ready turn it off to install Updates. You can even wait until the twice-yearly Version Updates to run manually from Media Creation Tool which is a more stable method than Windows Update and includes all previous updates rolled into it. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.
Over 100,000 helped in forums for 11 years. I don’t quit for those who are polite and cooperative.
Asus UX410U, Cannot update to Windows 10 1803. External Storage detected but there is no «Continue Button»
Asus UX410U, Cannot update to Windows 10 1803. More storage space requried. I selected External Storage detected but there is no «Continue Button».
I have tried selecting my D: Partition which has almost 1TB of free space as well as my 64gb USB Drive (tried both exFAT and NTFS). Either way, there is no continue button. The area which SHOULD have a continue button is completely blank/empty. I actually did not even know there was supposed to be a continue button until I googled it because nothing ever came up for me in the 3 months windows has been bugging me to unsuccessfully update.
I have tried cleaning up storage space on C: but I cannot delete enough things.
Replies (4)
This next article tells how to use an external drive for updates. Sounds like you have already been trying to do that. Follow the instructions explicitly.
2017 10 22 HOW TO UPGRADE TO THE LATEST WINDOWS 10 FEATURE UPDATE ON A DRIVE WITH LIMITED SPACE – EXTERNAL DRIVE
This article explains how to tell Windows Install/Update to use an external HD for temporary storage.
2017 03 06- HOW TO INSTALL (STORE & TRADITIONAL) APPS ON A SEPARATE DRIVE ON WINDOWS 10 – EXTERNAL DRIVE (TO FREE UP SPACE)
By Mauro Huculak
When your PC has limited storage space, or you simply want to keep things separate, use this guide to install or move apps to a different drive on Windows 10.
This article describes how to move apps from the (small) C: drive to an external drive
2017 03 06- HOW TO INSTALL (STORE & TRADITIONAL) APPS ON A SEPARATE DRIVE ON WINDOWS 10 – EXTERNAL DRIVE (TO FREE UP SPACE)
By Mauro Huculak
When your PC has limited storage space, or you simply want to keep things separate, use this guide to install or move apps to a different drive on Windows 10.
32GB DEVICES ARE TOO SMALL …
If you have a 32GB drive, you have my condolences (I just barely dodged that particular bullet myself).
MS says that Windows 10 only needs 20GB to install, making a 32GB drive appear adequate.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardwa.
But, in the “real world” that is not the case. MS and computer builders like to add “free sample” software (aka «crapware»). Over time, add some Windows updates, and system checkpoints and oops, you very quickly no longer have the 6-8GB of space required to do the major spring/fall updates.
Go to this Feedback and upvote it and do ADD your comments:
https://aka.ms/Vgqfjb
MS has marked it “We’ve got it”, but that is not enough. They need to be “encouraged” to produce a publicly documented fix for the problem they have created. One option is to recreate a «small drive» version of the Win 10 install that installs core features then prompts you for additional requirements specific to your machine and usage.
The wiki / article (next link) includes many tips and techniques you can use to free up space on your drive.
Or, you can bite the bullet and do a clean install of 1709 Fall Creators Update, or even 1803 Spring Creators Update. In the long run, even with re-installing lost applications it may be faster that fritzing around trying to free up enough space.
If you have this problem, please vote on this feedback to MS: https://aka.ms/Ilgpij I am asking that they make repeat update failures a more urgent warning message.
We are forced to include this Standard boilerplate legalistic bafflegab disclaimer for any links to non-Microsoft websites:
(Short form: use these links at your own risk, just like everything else from MS!)
The link(s) to non MS-page(s) appears to be providing accurate, safe information. I suggest you stick with the “manual” instructions. Unless I explicitly suggest it, avoid downloading their “utilities”. Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it. Sometimes they include 3rd party programs, «unwanted» programs that are automatically installed during a standard install. So, if offered, do a «custom» install and carefully read each step. One of the steps MAY give you an option to install, or NOT, «additional» programs. 99.9% of the time you don’t want to let them be installed. For example, when you install Adobe Player you are given the option of installing 2 additional «free trial» programs: Potentially Unwanted Programs: MacAfee Security Scan and MacAfee Safe Connect. The option to install is turned on, you have to manually turn it off. Those are PUP’s. If you click «OK»/»Next» without paying attention you get the 2 «extra» programs.
As well, watch out for ads on the site. They may advertise products that include PUPs. Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.
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How to Fix the 0x800703EE Error with External Storages
A lot of Windows users are reporting a problem when copying files from or to an external storage device. The error code that comes up is 0x800703EE. The error message associated with this error code is ‘The volume for a file has been externally altered so that the opened file is no longer valid’.The issue is not specific to a certain Windows version since it’s confirmed to occur on Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
0x800703EE Error when copying to/from external storages
What is causing the 0x800703EE Error with external storages?
We analyzed this problem by looking at various user reports and the most common repair strategies that are typically deployed to fix this issue. As it turns out, there are several different potential culprits that might cause this problem on Windows PCs:
In the event that you’re struggling to resolve the very same error message, this article will provide you with several different troubleshooting guides that will help you pinpoint & fix the problem that’s triggering the 0x800703EE Error. Down below, you’ll find a collection of methods that have been confirmed to work by at least one affected user.
If you want to be as efficient as possible, we advise you to follow the methods below in the order that they are presented. Eventually, you should stumble upon a fix that resolves the issue regardless of the culprit that’s causing it.
Method 1: Disabling 3rd party antivirus
As it turns out, an overprotective Antivirus suite can also be responsible for the apparition of the 0x800703EE Error when copying files to or from external storage. In most cases. this will occur because the security suite is effectively locking the file while the security check is performed. If the procedure takes longer than expected, Windows might throw this error message as a result.
Several affected users have reported that they managed to circumvent the issue by disabling the real-time protection of the AV suite while the operation is running. If the procedure completes without issues, you can then safely re-enable the real-time protection once again.
Disabling the real-time protection feature of Avast
If you’re overly annoyed by this error as you frequently perform operations that end up triggering this issue, the only way to get rid of them for good is to let go of your AV suite and migrate to a different 3rd party solution or to the built-in solution (Windows Defender).
In the event that you decide to let go of your security suite, follow this article (here) to uninstall your security program without leaving behind any remnant files.
If this method is not applicable to your particular scenario or this method didn’t fix the issue for you, move down to the next potential fix below.
Method 2: Uninstalling EaseUS (or a different backup program)
As several different users have reported, this particular issue can also occur if you have a backup program currently installed that is preventing the copying to or from the external storage. Ease Us, FBackup and Acronis True Image are top of the list of culprits in this case, but they can be others.
Windows is not particularly fond of letting a 3rd party utility to use the same file while a copying operation is performing, so it throws the 0x800703EE Error instead.
Several affected users have reported that they managed to resolve the issue in this case by uninstalling the backup program and restarting their computer. At the next startup sequence, most affected users have reported that the issue stopped occurring for them.
Here’s a quick guide on uninstalling EaseUs or a different backup program that might be causing the 0x800703EE error indirectly:
If the same error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
Method 3: Reinstalling USB Controllers
Based on various user reports, it turns out that the 0x800703EE error might also occur if the USB Serial Bus controller used by the external device is not installed correctly or has became tainted by file corruption.
If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to resolve the issue by using Device Manager to remove and reinstall all USB controller that might contribute to the apparition of this problem. By doing this and restarting your computer, you’ll force your Windows to automatically reinstall the USB controller drivers, which should end up resolving the issue.
Here’s a quick guide on uninstalling & reinstalling the USB controllers using Device Manager:
If you’re still encountering the 0x800703EE error, move down to the next method below.
Method 4: Enabling Windows Backup and Volume Shadow Copy
Another potential reason why you’d encounter the 0x800703EE error is the fact that one or both of these Windows services are disabled:
This is known to happen in instances where the services are both disabled – either by manual user intervention or by a different 3rd party software (most likely a RAM optimizer app). In this case, you will be able to resolve the issue by using the Services screen to change the status of the two services to Automatic.
Here’s a quick guide on enabling the two services (Windows Backup & Volume Shadow Copy) in order to resolve the 0x800703EE error:
If you’re still encountering the same 0x800703EE error, move down to the next method below.
Method 5: Deleting the Filter Drivers
If you’re encountering this issue while you’re trying to transfer or copy files from pen drives, SDcards or other types of similar devices (including iPods or IPads), it’s very likely that you might be dealing with some type of conflict between the services used during this operation and your burner software.
If this scenario is applicable, you will be able to resolve the issue by deleting the Filter Drivers using the Registry Editor. But keep in mind that after you do this, you might see some ‘writing disk errors’ with your burning software or on Itunes until you reinstall them.
In the event that the description above is applicable to your current situation, here’s a quick guide on deleting the filter drivers using Registry Editor:
Note: In case you’re having other issues after performing the procedure above and you want to undo it, simply visit Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\ using Registry Editor and go to File > Import. Then, select the backup file that you previously created and you should be good to go.
If the same 0x800703EE error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
Method 6: Performing SFC and DISM scans
The error code itself points toward a corruption issue. And although the issue is not actually caused by corrupted files, in some cases the 0x800703EE error occurs simply because Windows is dealing with a one or multiple system files that are corrupted and preventing the operation from completing.
Several affected users have reported that they were able to resolve the issue by repairing corrupted files with utilities like System File Checker (SFC) or Deployment Image Servicing Management (DISM).
Both utilities will ultimately repair system file corruption, but they do it differently. SFC uses a locally cached archive to replace corrupted system files with healthy copies while DISM relies on Windows Update to download the fresh copies needed to replace the bad ones.
But since the two utilities work best together, we highly encourage you to use both in order to ensure that you fix every possible corruption instance that might be causing this problem.
Here’s a quick guide on running SFC and DISM scans from an elevated Command Prompt:
If you’re still encountering the 0x800703EE error when you try to copy to or from an external storage device, move down to the next method below.
Method 7: Doing a system restore
If you’ve come this far without a result, it’s clear that the issue is occurring for one of two reasons – it’s either a system file corruption issue that went undetected by the scans performed above or some kind of software conflict.
Fortunately, if the issue only started to occur recently, you should be able to resolve the issue easily just by using a system restore point to bring your computer back in time to a healthy state. If you’re lucky enough to have a system restore point dated just before the apparition of this issue, the procedure below should help you resolve the issue.
But keep in mind that this method will delete all changes that you made since the system restore point was created. All the apps you installed, the system preferences that you adjusted and everything else will be lost.
If you’ve decided to perform a system restore, here’s what you need to do:
How to Upgrade to the latest Windows 10 Feature Update on a Drive with Limited Space
Technical Level : Basic
Summary
Microsoft continues to refine Windows 10 since its launch in 2015. The next revision of Windows 10 is even easier for users to install. Previously, we covered upgrading earlier versions of Windows 10 on devices with limited space. Earlier versions of Windows 10 did not define this option clearly. In the Creators Update, when Windows 10 detects an installation on a drive with limited space, it will prominently let the user know there is not enough space. In this article, we show you how it works.
Before setup starts copying files to the drive, one of the pre-requisite tasks performed is determining how much space is available. Windows 10 Creators Update requires a minimum 10 GB’s of free space. If you don’t have enough, setup will recommend a couple options.
Free Up Disk Space – Windows 10 setup will give you the option of running the Disk Cleanup wizard, which you can use to free up space in a number of areas. This includes removing previous versions of Windows, temporary files and old system restore points. Users should note, recent versions of Windows 10 such as the Anniversary Update, includes a comprehensive storage management interface, which you can use to determine what is using your disk space.
Attach an external storage device – if you have an external hard disk or USB thumb drive with a minimum 10 Gbs of free space, you can utilize it to facilitate the installation. Windows 10 setup will maximize the drive to store, archive and move around temporary files during installation. If you already have files on the drive, no need to worry, they will not be deleted; Windows 10 will move files to a folder on the drive called Windows.old. If in the near future, you decide you need to go back to your previous version, you will need to utilize the drive to restore it.
For the purposes of this article, I am going to use the second option. After connecting on an external hard disk or USB thumb drive, click the refresh button or click in the list box then select the attached storage device. Thats it, click Continue to begin the installation. Please note, setup can take longer to complete if you are using a mechanical drive. Using a flash drive might be faster.
Remember, if you do decide to go back to your previous version of Windows, you must attach the external storage device in order to facilitate the rollback.
Check out our previous article to learn more about using this feature if you are currently attempting to upgrade to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.
If you are updating through Windows Update
If you experience a limited space issue through Windows Update while updating to Windows 10 1703, an error message will appear with the option to Fix issue. Click the ‘Fix issue’ button; this will start a wizard to help you facilitate the upgrade using an external storage device. Click the link I want to use external storage instead
Connect your external hard disk, then click in the second list box, choose your external hard disk.
Click the Refresh button to make sure that it is detected then click Continue.
Click the close button, Windows Update will pick up from where it left off then continue with the installation.
Click Restart when prompted to continue with the installation, do not disconnect the external hard disk.