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
    2018-03-14T11:34:43+00:00

    Same problem here. Don't get an option to use an external hard drive. Please help!

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-03-17T18:13:26+00:00

    Hi Maximilian,

    Have you seen the article on how to use an external drive to install a Windows 10 update provided by Nathaniel Mon earlier in this thread? If not, click here to check it out. Otherwise, send us a screenshot of the issue you're facing so that we can further assess what we need to fix.

    Your reply is most important for us to assist you accordingly.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-03-17T21:51:25+00:00

    This article does not help. The message of not enough storage in the article provides an option for using external storage. As previously stated in my original post, this is not the case for this message.  ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/840bd3d3-3df5-48a8-ba12-2a8223861d1d?platform=QnA

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-03-17T23:32:47+00:00

    Thanks for the screenshot. Click on Free up space now and a Windows needs more space window should appear, similar to the image below:

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