Microsoft free space hard drive

You'll be able to get to your OneDrive files from your PC without having to use up hard-drive space downloading full-size versions of them all.

Sometimes a virus or other malware can consume significant hard-drive space by corrupting your system files. If you suspect your PC is infected with malware, use an antivirus program like Windows Defender to run a virus scan and cleanup. If this doesn't fix the problem, you might need to reset your PC.

This is also recommended if your attempts to free up drive space trigger particular error codes that you need help resolving. The following questions concern low disk space and Windows Update specifically. Learn more about Windows Update. When you select Fix issues , you'll be informed about how much additional space is needed.

Learn how to free up space to install Windows updates. The total free disk space your device requires to complete an update varies. Learn about the difference between a feature update and a quality update. You need disk space to download the update, download new versions of any optional features and languages that are currently installed, and to apply the update. Additional space is temporarily required to support removal of the update typically for 10 days.

This space can be reclaimed after the update is completed. Note: For devices with reserved storage, an update will first use the reserved storage space before using other disk space. For more info, see How reserved storage works in Windows. The space required to complete a feature update depends on two factors: which update path is followed and the size of optional content and other updates that apply to your PC when the feature update is installed.

Windows follows three different feature update paths, depending on the amount of disk space currently available. Windows automatically tries to complete more of the update process in the background while you use your PC. This significantly reduces the time your PC will be offline or unusable during the update, although it might temporarily use more disk space to complete the update.

Learn more about our efforts to reduce offline time during updates English only at this time. For PCs with limited free space but still enough to complete the update automatically. Windows will automatically optimize for reducing the amount of free disk space required to install the update. This will result in a longer offline install time. For PCs that don't have enough space to automatically install the update. Windows will prompt you to free up disk space or use external storage to temporarily extend the storage on your PC.

Across each of these update paths, the total amount of free disk space required will vary, depending on the optional content installed and other updates that apply to your PC. For example:. Optional features. Many optional features available for Windows are pre-installed or acquired on demand by the system, or manually by you.

Languages installed. Windows is localized into many languages. Although many people only use one language at a time, some people switch between two or more languages.

Open Language settings During each update, all language resources and any associated typing, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and handwriting recognition resources must be updated. The content for each language can range from about MB to more than MB. The removable drive will need to be formatted with the NTFS file system. To check space availability Before you move your OneDrive files, you should make sure the removable drive has enough space to store your files.

Follow these steps: Open File Explorer by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search , entering File Explorer in the search box, and then tapping or clicking File Explorer. Press and hold or right-click OneDrive.

To move your OneDrive files First, you'll need to create a folder on the removable drive for your OneDrive files. After you create the folder, follow these steps to move your files: Warning: Moving your OneDrive files will cancel any pending uploads.

Removable storage options: Secure Digital SD cards. Need more help? Join the discussion. A subscription to make the most of your time. Try 1 month free. Was this information helpful? Yes No. Thank you! Any more feedback? The more you tell us the more we can help. Can you help us improve? Resolved my issue. Clear instructions.

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Pictures helped. Didn't match my screen. Incorrect instructions. Too technical. Not enough information. Not enough pictures. Any additional feedback? Free up drive space in Windows. Get the latest Windows update. Windows 10 updates provide the latest features and security improvements to help keep your PC more current and more secure. We can't install the latest Windows 10 features and security improvements on your PC due to low disk space.

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. 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. Windows 11 Windows 10 More Windows needs space to update We can't install the latest Windows 11 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. An internet connection. Connect your external storage device and select it from the drop-down menu.