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
    2018-04-13T13:16:53+00:00

    That article is of no use, it tells me to change the location of where new files and apps are stored, which I've done, but the Windows update still won't install due to lack of space.  I also don't get the "Step 2: Use external storage device" option.  How do I tell Windows to use my external hard drive for the update, please?

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-04-11T18:59:34+00:00

    Go to Microsoft website and download Media creation tool for the fall update version 1709 onto your USB stick and then use the stick to update your tablet or laptop.

    The use external storage window will pop up every time if you use this method. The update will take a few hours but it does work with tablets 32GB or less of storage

    The O/S update was successful on an old dell 8"venue pro and a newer Insignia 10" tablet

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-04-11T17:32:28+00:00

    If you have the same computer I have which is an HP Stream you can't update the hard drive. They made it purposely that way. 

    And when I found that out I wanted to return it to the store I bought it at, but because I didn't have the original box I couldn't return it. 

    So that's why I just had to go into debt to get a new Dell laptop which is what I should have bought in the beginning.

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