Problem with Windows 11 24H2

Ian Long 40 Reputation points
2026-08-10T19:36:45.8866667+00:00

Windows 11 24H2 has been too large for my humble windows Surface Go computer. I have removed downloads, trash and every application that I can but need to find more space to allow it to install. I have a large external drive attached but it cannot solve the problem. Any suggestions?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage
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Answer accepted by question author
John Jefferson Doyon 87,500 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-10T20:31:22.09+00:00

Hi, @Ian Long

A Surface Go with limited internal storage can struggle with larger Windows 11 feature updates, even when an external drive is connected.

Microsoft requires at least a 64 GB storage device for Windows 11, but Windows updates can need additional free space temporarily during installation.

Could you check these first?

  1. Which Surface Go model do you have, Surface Go, Go 2, Go 3, or Go 4?
  2. Go to "Settings" > "System" > "Storage". What is the total size of the C: drive, and how much free space is showing?
  3. When the update fails, does Windows tell you exactly how much additional space it needs or show a "Fix issues" option?

If "Fix issues" appears in Windows Update, Microsoft can sometimes use the external drive to help complete the update, although some free space is still required on the internal drive.

Thanks!

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AI answer

2026-08-10T19:37:07.7466667+00:00

Try these in order, checking free space after each step:

  1. Check available space
    • Open File Explorer > This PC.
    • Look under Devices and drives to see how much space is left.
  2. Use Cleanup recommendations
    • Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.
    • Review Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud, and Unused apps.
    • Remove what is no longer needed.
    • If a previous version of Windows appears, deleting it can free significant space, but this is permanent and removes the ability to roll back to the previous Windows version.
  3. Turn on Storage Sense
    • Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage.
    • Turn on Storage Sense to automatically remove unnecessary files.
  4. Move personal files off the internal drive
    • In File Explorer, check Videos, Music, Pictures, and Downloads.
    • Use View > Details, then Sort by > Size to find the largest files.
    • Move files that need to be kept to the external drive.
    • Empty the Recycle Bin afterward so the space is actually freed.
  5. Use the external drive specifically for the update
    • Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
    • If Windows shows Fix issues, select it.
    • Connect the external drive, select it from the drop-down list, then choose Next and complete the update steps.
    • The external device should have 10 GB or more of free space.
    • Even with external storage, Windows might still require more free space on the internal drive.
  6. If low disk space keeps returning because of Temp files
    • Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter: Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Store Apps > Run.
    • Clear the Microsoft Store cache: press Windows key + R, type wsreset.exe, then select OK.
    • Run the Windows Update troubleshooter from Other troubleshooters.
    • Restart the PC.
  7. Reduce future pressure on the internal drive
    • Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.
    • Change new content to another drive when possible.
    • Turn on OneDrive Files On-Demand if OneDrive is used, so files stay in the cloud until needed.

If the update still will not install after freeing space and using external storage, resetting or reinstalling Windows might help. For a Surface device, a Microsoft Q&A accepted answer specifically recommends reimaging with a Surface recovery image using a USB drive.

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  1. Ian Long 40 Reputation points
    2026-08-11T16:41:42.1666667+00:00

    Many thanks for your response. Your comment that in order to download this particular update, I would have had to have had more than the 57Gb of memory available on my Surface Go 3 was correct. Even working through all the AI generated ssolutions meant that I was still a few Gigabytes short of what was needed.

    The computer served its purpose for a couple of years as a good little notebook but it is time to put it out to pasture. Updates are very large these days.

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