Windows 10 Needs More Space for Update on 32GB Storage Devices

This article contains information about Windows 10 giving a "Windows needs more space" error.

Windows 10

Windows 10 devices with a 32 GB storage device or less will show, "Windows needs more space" during the Windows feature upgrade (from RS3 to RS4).

Note: This is an industry-wide issue and not Dell specific.

The following 2 solutions can be used.

Solution 1: Increase Free Space Throughout the Upgrade

Systems with a 32 GB Solid State Drive (SSD) storage device will show the message, "Windows needs more space" during the upgrade. If you want the upgrade to be successful, you need to connect an external USB device (USB flash drive or external hard drive) with at least 16 GB of free space. To do this, you will need the following items:

• A 16 GB or 32 GB USB flash drive, or external USB hard drive with minimum of 10 GB of available space.
• If the device has a USB micro port, you may need a converter or dongle to USB Type A.

Connect your 16 GB or 32 GB USB drive to the Dell device after the message, "Windows needs more space" error is displayed (Figure 1).

Figure 1

1. Click "Free Up Space" and wait to finish. Ensure you check "Previous Windows Installations" under "Files to delete." On devices with 32 GB, the cleanup process rarely frees enough space and step 2 with the external USB drive is still required.
2. Select the newly attached USB drive and click continue.

Follow the steps in: How to Upgrade to the latest Windows 10 Feature Update on a Drive with Limited Space

Solution 2: Clean Windows 10 Install with Microsoft Media Creation Tool

To do this, you will need the following items:

• A second computer with an active Internet connection.
• An 8 GB or 16 GB USB flash drive, or external USB hard drive.

Connect your 16 GB or 32 GB USB drive to the second device before starting the media creation process.

Download the Microsoft Media Creation Tool from: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

1. Select Download tool now, and select Run.
2. Accept the License Terms.
3. Next, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.
4. Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10.
5. Click USB Flash Drive.
6. Select the drive with the USB flash drive.

The tool will begin with the download process and periodically update the Progress counter (Figure 2).

Figure 2

After the media creation process is finished, remove the USB Key from the device.

Note: Before you proceed, all data and personal settings are deleted in that process. You can create a backup by following: https://windows10.help/blogs/entry/22-psa-create-backup-reinstall-media-for-your-current-version-of-windows-10-before-upgrading-to-windows-10-creators-update/

• Turn off the 32 GB device.
• Insert the USB Key into the 32 GB device.
• Power the device off and back on and boot to the USB Key to install the Windows setup.

Follow the Windows setup screens.

FAQ:

Can I use the Dell USB Recovery Tool instead of the Microsoft Media Creation Tool?
No. Dell media ships only with build 1709. A fresh Windows install with that media would trigger Windows Update and the storage space issue would re-occur.

If you have further questions about this article, contact Dell Technical Support.