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June 6th, 2023 13:00

Help I Can't Update any Software Due to Lack of Space.

I have a C drive that says I only have 220 GB and a Data drive with 931 GB. All of my software packages go to the C drive, so it is always at capacity. I don't know what to do. I can't move any software to my D drive. I have tried to to reinstall some of it, but the software either doesn't give me the option or doesn't allow me to download to the D drive. 

I have uninstalled all unnecesary software packages which leaves me with about 5 essential systems. But everytime one of them updates, I have no room. All my personal files are on the cloud. I have 898 GB free space on my D drive, but can't do anything. Please help! I need specific instructions. 

I can't afford a new computer. Why is the C drive so small? This is a nightmare. 

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574 Posts

June 6th, 2023 20:00

@WickedOne21 

It sounds like your computer was shipped with both a M.2 SSD (C:) and a 2.5" HDD (D:). You would install the OS and your programs on the much faster SSD and use the conventional HDD for your documents and large files, such as pictures, videos and music. The reason for this configuration and the small SSD size was to help keep the price tag of the computer down as high capacity SSDs at the time were expensive, which is not really the case today.

You can replace the SSD drive in your computer with a larger one, but you have to know the the correct form factor of the SSD (example: M.2 2280) and the interface that your system supports. (SATA and/or NVMe). Some systems support both, where others support one or the other. NVMe will allow for the fastest possible transfer speeds, so it's recommended if your computer supports it.

If you want to transfer your existing files and programs, you will need to use cloning software in order to correctly transfer everything over to the new drive so that it's bootable. You will also need to purchase a USB-to-M.2 adapter supporting the correct interface of the SSD that's currently installed in your system so that both can be connected and accessed at the same time in order to clone. If you don't care about cloning, you can just install the new SSD in the computer and re-install Windows using the installation media or the Dell Support Assist OS Recovery methods, both of which will require setting up and re-configuring as if you just bought the computer. You will also need to reinstall all your programs too. Make sure you copy any personal files to external devices before removing the old SSD, and make sure that you don't install Windows on the HDD if you plan on keeping it installed for extra storage as (1) all existing files will be deleted and (2) the computer will operate much slower off the HDD.

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