How to Upgrade to Windows 10 with Low Disk Space: A Step-by-Step Guide

Upgrading to Windows 10 can be a daunting task, especially if your device has limited disk space. Low storage capacity can cause the upgrade to fail, leading to frustration. Fortunately, there are ways to manage your storage and successfully install Windows 10 even on devices with limited space. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to upgrade your device to Windows 10 without running into storage issues.

How do I install Windows 10 on low disk space computers?​

1. Check Your Current Disk Space​

Before you start the upgrade process, it's crucial to check how much disk space you currently have available. To do this:

1. Open the File Explorer by pressing Windows + E.
2. Click on This PC from the left-hand menu.
3. Look under Devices and drives to see how much free space is available on your system drive.

If you have less than 20 GB of free space, you'll need to free up some space before proceeding with the upgrade.

2. Free Up Disk Space​

If your device has limited storage, here are a few methods to free up space:

• Uninstall Unnecessary Applications: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and remove any applications that you no longer use.
• Clear Temporary Files: Use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to delete temporary files, system cache, and other unnecessary data.
  1. Type Disk Cleanup in the search box and select the app.
  2. Select the drive you want to clean up (usually C.
  3. Check the boxes next to the file types you want to delete and click OK.
• Move Files to an External Drive: Transfer large files, such as videos, photos, and documents, to an external hard drive or cloud storage.

3. Use an External Storage Device for the Upgrade​

If you’re still low on space, Windows allows you to use an external storage device to complete the upgrade. Here's how:

1. Prepare an External Storage Device: Use a USB flash drive, external hard drive, or SD card with at least 16 GB of free space.
2. Start the Windows 10 Upgrade Process:
   • Download the Windows 10 installation tool from the official Microsoft website.
   • Run the tool and follow the on-screen instructions.
   • When prompted, select the option to use an external storage device for the upgrade.
   • Choose your external storage device from the list and continue with the installation.

This method ensures that the upgrade files are stored on the external device rather than your system drive, which can help overcome the limitations of low disk space.

4. Consider a Clean Install​

If freeing up space and using an external storage device isn’t enough, you might need to perform a clean install of Windows 10. This method wipes your device clean and installs a fresh copy of Windows 10, which can help if your system is cluttered with unnecessary files and applications.

Note: A clean install will erase all data on your device, so make sure to back up important files before proceeding.

1. Create a Windows 10 Installation Media: Use a USB drive or DVD with at least 8 GB of free space to create installation media using the Windows Media Creation Tool.
2. Boot from the Installation Media:
   • Insert the USB drive or DVD into your device.
   • Restart your computer and boot from the installation media.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.
3. Complete the Installation: After the installation is complete, you'll have a clean version of Windows 10 on your device, with only the essential system files taking up space.

5. Use Storage Sense to Manage Disk Space Post-Upgrade​

Once you’ve successfully upgraded to Windows 10, you can use the built-in Storage Sense feature to automatically manage disk space:

1. Go to Settings > System > Storage.
2. Toggle on Storage Sense to automatically free up space by deleting temporary files, unused apps, and files in the recycle bin.

You can also configure Storage Sense to run automatically when your device is low on disk space, helping you maintain enough storage for future updates and installations.

Upgrading to Windows 10 on a device with low disk space can be challenging, but it's possible with careful preparation and the right strategies. By freeing up space, using external storage, or performing a clean install, you can successfully upgrade your system and enjoy the benefits of Windows 10 without worrying about storage limitations. Remember to use tools like Storage Sense to keep your disk space optimized post-upgrade.