Free Up Space For Windows Updates - Microsoft Support

Get more space with external storage

You can temporarily gain extra space by using an external storage device like a USB drive, an SD card, or an external hard drive.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• An external storage device with 10GB or more of free space, depending on how much additional space you need.

• An internet connection.

Here's how to do it: 

1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update .

   Note: In Windows 10, you can access Windows Update from Settings > Update & Security.

2. If you don't have enough free disk space to install updates, you should see an option on the Windows Update tab called Fix Issues.  If so, select Fix issues.  This will launch a tool that lets you update your PC using an external storage device.

3. Before you use an external storage device for updating, make sure you back up any important files.

4. Connect your external storage device and select it from the drop-down menu.

5. Select Next and follow the instructions to finish installing the update.

6. Once the installation is complete, you can safely remove your external storage device.

Even after selecting external storage, if you don't have enough free space on your internal drive, you might be prompted to free up more space. 

If you don't want to use external storage, select I don't want to use external storage.