Update Windows 10 using an external hard drive?

Anonymous
2017-10-20T15:56:25+00:00

So I was told that I can use the storage on an external hard drive to update Windows 10, which would make sense. I even saw on other Windows Community Forums that it is possible, however there aren't any tutorials or anything online that I could find. I've tried but the update page tells me I need more space, I really hope I didn't waste money on an external hard drive, it would have taken 3 weeks for an internal. So if it is possible to use the space on the hard drive to update Windows please guide me through.

Thank you.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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Anonymous
2017-10-21T06:12:09+00:00

Hi Adam,

There will be an option to use an external drive to temporarily extend the storage space of your computer while the update is being installed if your device doesn't have enough space for the update. We recommend that you check this article as a guide on how to use an external storage device to install updates for your Windows 10.

Let us know whenever you need further assistance.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-03-20T18:24:13+00:00

    Hi Patricia,

    Me too!  I'm getting the same screen as J Suen and Mikael.  External HDD with >100GB and C: has ~3GB but without deleting MS office that's as big as it's getting.

    Thanks, Angela

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-03-20T16:10:47+00:00

    Hi Patricia,

    J Suen posted a screenshot of the window I was referring to. And yes, I do have an external device connected, with plenty of available space.

    Best,

    Mikael

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-03-20T10:42:34+00:00

    I am experiencing this same problem.

    I have run disk cleanup a thousand times but it's going to be impossible to clear up enough space.

    I never get an option to select my external drive even though it's connected (and has plenty of space available).

    My screens are the same as in the post before this one.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-03-20T03:55:48+00:00

    I believe I have exactly the same problem. Here is the screenshot for my case which lead me to Disk Clean up after clicking 'Create space now'. I believe these screenshots should be more or less the same with other users having this Windows Update problem in March 2018. Please provide us a solid solution because this problem has been bothering for awhile. 

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