Many of you might have been trying to get the Windows 10 November Update installed on lower capacity devices like tablets with 16 or 32 GB of storage. The upgrade is next to impossible it seems. The usual recommendations ensuring you have a minimum of 9 to 10 GBs of available space is like asking users to pull a rabbit out of a hat. No matter how much space you clear up, archiving personal data to an external hard disk you might apply, the upgrade still refuses to work.
The Windows Team realized it was asking a bit too much of users, and a fix was released to help update devices with low storage capacity easier.
Easier Upgrade to Windows 10 1511 on Low Capacity Devices
With the fix that we’ve released (KB3124260), Windows will better use external storage, making it much more likely that the install will continue once you select to use an external drive and hit the Refresh button. The fix reduces the amount of space required on the C: drive by over 2 GB.Â
Users should note, this fix is for devices already running Windows 10 that have not been updated to the November Update yet. If you’re still running Windows 8.1, you’ll still have to face the hurdle to get it installed.
Please note that this issue and fix only apply to Windows 10 devices upgrading to the November update. It does not apply to Windows 8.1 devices.
If you have been attempting to upgrade to 1511, you’ll need to perform some chores first to get the fix so you can reliably perform the upgrade:
If you had previously experienced this issue, to get the fix you’ll first need to remove the temporary Windows installation files so that you can download them again, this time with the fix included. To do this:
- Run Disk Cleanup.
- Click Clean up system files.
- Select Temporary Windows installation files and click OK.
Then check for Windows Updates and try reinstalling the Windows 10 November update. When the update downloads, it will include the fix that will make it easier to use an external drive to install the update if you are low on free disk space.
I have assisted many people attempting to upgrade devices like the HP Stream or budget tablets like the Lenovo Miix 300. After installing this update, the process has become a lot simpler.
HP Stream 11 entry level PC with 32 GB of Storage
Give it a shot yourself and let us know which device you’re using and the results in the comments below.
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Sonjia
December 21, 2015 at 6:29 am
I have a friend who still has not gotten the 1511 update on her computer. She has 2 TB of storage, so that’s not the problem. Her Computer keeps saying it is up to date. She does get the Cumulative Updates, but that is all. She is not very PC knowledgeable. and doesn’t want to redo as a clean install. She said she will just wait until it shows up on her computer. She doesn’t think she can use any tool to get it to update. Do you think the update will eventually show up on her computer, and is it OK for her to just wait? I would like your thoughts on this. She has done the steps above, even though she has a 2 TB of storage.
Andre Da Costa
December 23, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Download the Media Creation Tool and use that to perform an upgrade.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209
Eric
December 21, 2015 at 11:20 am
I am in the same boat. It’s funny because I have a bunch of friends that have the update sitting in their “Hidden Updates” along with Windows 10 itself, and they refuse to upgrade from Windows 8.1 because of the privacy concerns. Yet here I am, upgraded to Windows 10 as soon as I could, and yet the update hasn’t shown up. This is kind of absurd really…how can you possibly give out an update for Windows 10 to users not even running Windows 10…yet I have to go searching all over the web for solutions…it’s really a turnoff. Microsoft would rather cater to the “non-upgraders” that basically say Windows 10 sucks and they will never upgrade. Thanks a lot Microsoft…
Dan
December 21, 2015 at 3:13 pm
I have a HP laptop with 32g and windows 10.I downloaded the update and after it tried to install it stated not enough space so I attach an external HD and the install went in without any more problems
Brian
December 22, 2015 at 12:26 am
I upgraded to 1511 on my tablet and now my apps like Netflix, Nook, and Kindle don’t work. What is weird is that on my laptop I have the same upgrade and all of these apps are working. How do I fix my tablet short of rolling back to 8.1?
Andre Da Costa
December 23, 2015 at 8:22 pm
Brian, open the Store icon, click your Profile then click Check for updates.
Mux
December 29, 2015 at 2:36 am
Hello. I don’t know if it is a matter of “holidays”, but I am unable to get this update. I have been cleaning, installing and re-installing for days with no luck. Using a patched-iso is not a solution on my side. Dism using the microsoft update catalog is not suitable for online installation for this kb. What’s the matter? How can I solve this issue? I have a windows 10 tablet with 16 GB storage and I need this update.
The installation keeps asking for 6.6 GB storage even using an external SD and of course it eventually fails.
I also tried to reset windows update using the script from Microsoft Community. No way to solve storage issues.
Cheers!
John
March 2, 2018 at 11:16 am
Miix 320-10ICR with 2 GB RAM, 32GB SSD. Loaded with Win-10 “1703”. 12GB free “out of the box”. After various security upgrades (which successfully install) attempt for upgrade to version 1709 or Fall Creator Edition. After Windows Update downloads, only some 3GB free. Purchased 128GB microSD – unfortunately not recognized as alternate storage (like USB) to support the upgrade. So add on 16GB USB stick. 1709 upgrade installs, reboots, restarts, reboots – eventualls asks for USB (already installed) and no joy – have to cancel. Roll back to pre-1709 launches an endless series of reboots.
Reinstalled from factory install disks (4 hours) and then made Win 10 recovery disk. Now back witn 1703 version (Redstone 2). I’ve blocked auto upgrades in the hope Microsoft sorts out the upgrade for machines like this one.
mooseteets
April 13, 2018 at 1:34 am
seems microsoft has pulled this update now it cant be found on their catalog site, the media update tool refuses to use external storage, will now only use the C drive, this is really disappointing.