Windows 10 Creators Upgrade - Not Enough Space and no option to Attach an external storage device

To echo BerndBacmesiter, the problem is a lack of ability to chose another drive. I performed the restarts with the external HD attached. Here is a screenshot of what I'm seeing every time. I made sure the mounted storage devices could be seen. There's plenty of space on the external but Update is ignoring it.

Since you’ve already tried all the troubleshooting steps suggested by other community member, we encourage you to submit your issue using the Feedback Hub. Once you submit a feedback item, we gather additional details about your issue that will help identify what’s the root cause and resolve it. You can also either vote on an existing submission or submit a new issue.   To submit new feedback, follow the steps below:

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Regards.

Creators Update has a bug that won't recognize a microSD card inserted into my tablet PC's microSD slot.  I've determined a workaround but it requires me to perform the install on battery power and the upgrade takes longer than the battery can last.

In my case, I'm using a low cost 8" tablet PC (Atom CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB SSD).  The tablet has a microSD slot, and a microUSB port (doubles as the port for charging the tablet's battery).

Using an exFAT formatted 64GB microSD card (also tested an exFAT 16GB card), inserted into the tablet's microSD card slot, I had no trouble running the downloadable Anniversary Update install wizard.  The installer determined I didn't have enough internal storage space, and allowed me to select and use the microSD card for temporary space to complete the upgrade.  That upgrade, understandably, took hours to complete requiring the charger to be plugged into the microUSB port.

The Creators Update, as described in this official support article (4013876), presents me with the "Windows needs more space" screen (see example screenshot in Step 1 below the section 'Updating with external storage').  However when this screen appears on my tablet, under 'Step 2: Select or connect an external storage device' the USB icon has a red X showing instead of a green checkmark, and the only item listed in the droplist is None.  In other words, the inserted microSD card, formatted either as exFAT or NTFS, does not appear.  

As soon as I remove the microSD card from the tablet's slot, insert it into a microSD-to-microUSB adapter and plug that into the microUSB port, the installer recognizes it and allows me to use the microSD card.  By the way, a microUSB-to-USB adapter also allows a traditional USB memory stick to be detected and used.

To summarize:

• the microSD card inserted in the tablet PC's microSD slot worked fine with the Anniversary Update installer
• Before and after installing the Anniversary Update, the microSD card inserted in the tablet PC's microSD is recognized as a drive letter and usable by the OS, Windows Explorer, and applications
• the microSD card inserted in the tablet PC's microSD slot (exFAT or NTFS) is not recognized by and does not work with the Creators Update installer.  If removed and, using a microSD-to-microUSB adapter, inserted into the microUSB port, the Creators Update installer detects and will use the microSD card.

I happen to have 2 of these tablet PCs and both experience the same result.

So there's an external storage bug, related to a built-in microSD slot, in the Creators Update installer.

I don't like risking an upgrade to install over battery power, but since the microUSB port has to be used to attach an external storage device, I have no choice but to run the upgrade on battery power.

In reply to my previous post, the following steps worked on my 2 tablet PCs, but not without taking the risk of running the upgrade on battery power.  Please consider the risk before proceeding.

With a fully charged tablet PC, I unplugged the microUSB charger from the microUSB port, turned my screen brightness all the way down (to conserve battery), then plugged in my microUSB-to-microSD adapter with my microSD card inserted (or as an alternative, I can use a microUSB-to-USB adapter with my USB memory stick inserted).

I started the upgrade (downloaded to and run from the microSD card), and the installer recognized and used the microSD card for temporary storage, allowing the install to run.  Party way through the upgrade the battery died.  I unplugged the external storage to plug in my microUSB charger and charged it back up to 100%.

Once charged, I unplugged the charger to plug in the external storage, and then powered on.  Thankfully the installer recovered and resumed.

Later on the battery died again and I repeated the previous step.  Again the installer recovered and resumed.

Eventually the upgrade completed.  The second tablet PC upgraded just like the first one.

This is ridiculous. I have the same problem - only a few Gig on C: but two other local drives with plenty of free space.

It is a plain bug in the installer that you do not get the option to use other local drives for its temporary storage (as you used to in earlier major updates).

Hi Peter,

All of the troubleshooting steps and solutions were suggested by community members are on this thread.

If the suggestions did not resolve your issue, we encourage you to submit your issue using the Feedback Hub. Once you submit a feedback item, we gather additional details about your issue that will help identify what’s the root cause and resolve it. You can also either vote on an existing submission or submit a new issue.   To submit new feedback, follow the steps below:

1. On a Windows 10 device, search for "Feedback Hub" in Cortana search, then launch the app.
2. Navigate to Feedback in the left menu, then press + Add new feedback.
3. Select the Problem, and share any details you think are relevant, and choose an appropriate category and subcategory.
4. Important: If possible, reproduce the problem(s) after clicking Begin monitoring (or Start capture) near the end of the form; Stop monitoring when you’re done.
5. Once you’ve completed the form and monitoring, click Submit.
6. Click Continue using Feedback Hub.
7. Click My feedback at the top, then find the item you submitted (it may take a while to appear).
8. Open the item you submitted, then click Share.
9. Click Copy link, then paste the link here in your response (it will look like https://aka.ms/<unique link>).

If you have other concerns, don't hesitate to get back to us.

https://aka.ms/Seplia

I  am using Windows10Upgrade28085.exe for an upgrade.

My space on the C: drive is limited but I do have ample space on my D: drive (or external storage).

The upgrade program detects the limited space on C: and offers to free up space but not an option to Attach an external storage device.

How do I get this option ? - as descibed in How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Creators Update on a Drive with Limited Space

thx  bernd

 Dear Sir

 Thanks for Your  E-Mail. Please Send More And New Articles On This Subjects Regularly Through My E-Mail.  Also Please Reply  How Can I Get 10 GB FREE Space  From My  PC  (C:) Drive

Sincerely 

GMSR

I have the same issue with the new July 2017 update. It says I have plenty of space with 11GB free on the C:\ Drive. While downloading the Creators update the free space shrinks to 3.5GB. Then it starts updating. At 64% in that updating process it aborts with the message "Not enough space available, free up some extra space. It purges all downloads and you lost some precious time with it.  So it clearly is a misleading setup. You are actually encouraged to start from scratch with this one or have at least 15GB free. Even if you manage to update, they have an new option in the settings tab that's asks you to do a new fresh install from scratch after you just updated because it's just better that way. I am Not kidding. On my PC it came in with the regular updates and that only required 11GB of space. On any laptop, tablet device with low space you are not gonna get it done without a clean install from a USB drive or CD. 

I too have the same issues. I cant use a usb drive (any format) as an update medium the installation process wont recognise it.

Come on microsoft, sort it out please. (does anyone from MS read these posts?)