Setup needs space to update Windows 11 [Fix]

Windows 11 installation and updates hinge on having adequate free space on your hard drive or solid-state drive. Users encountering the message “Setup needs space to update Windows 11” may find their progress halted due to insufficient disk space. Fortunately, there are several strategies to reclaim that space and facilitate a smooth update process.

Fix Setup needs space to update Windows 11/10

When faced with the “Setup needs space to update” notification during the installation or update of Windows 11/10, consider the following steps to free up disk space:

1. Use Disk Cleanup
2. Disable Page file and Hibernation
3. Delete System Restore Points and disable System Protection
4. Delete unused or inactive profiles
5. Miscellaneous steps to free up space on the C drive

Let’s delve into these methods.

1] Use Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a handy built-in utility in Windows 11 designed to help users eliminate unnecessary files cluttering their hard drives. To access it, simply type “Disk Cleanup” in the Windows 11 Search bar. Once launched, select the Clean up System Files option. Choose the C drive and click OK to initiate a scan of your system files.

Default options will be pre-selected, but you can also opt for additional categories, such as Windows Upgrade log files. If System error memory log files are consuming significant space, feel free to delete them as well. Rest assured, removing these files won’t adversely affect your system, although it will limit your ability to troubleshoot BSOD errors afterward. After completing this step, check if you can proceed with the Windows 11 update.

2] Disable Page file and Hibernation

If the error persists, further space may need to be cleared from the C drive. Disabling the Page file and Hibernation can create additional room. While the Page file is essential for managing virtual memory, temporarily disabling it can help during the update process. You can re-enable it post-update.

To disable the Page file, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows 11 Settings.
2. Navigate to System > About.
3. Expand the Device Specifications section and click on Advanced system settings.
4. In the System Properties window, select the Advanced tab.
5. Click Settings under the Performance section.
6. Go to the Advanced tab and click Change under the Virtual memory section.
7. Uncheck the box for Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
8. Select the C drive.
9. Choose the No paging file option and click Set.
10. Click OK to confirm.

After completing these steps, check again to see if the update can proceed.

3] Delete System Restore Points and disable System Protection

System Restore Points can also occupy valuable space on the C drive. These points are crucial for restoring your system to a previous state in case of issues. To assess their impact, open the System Restore tool by searching for Create a restore point in Windows Search. Under the System Protection tab, select the C drive and click Configure to view current usage.

If you find that restore points are consuming excessive space, consider deleting them by clicking Delete. Alternatively, you can disable System Protection altogether, which will also remove all existing restore points. While this action does not harm your system, it does eliminate your ability to revert to a previous state should problems arise. After updating Windows 11, remember to re-enable System Protection.

4] Delete unused or inactive profiles

Windows 11 allows for multiple user profiles, each with its own data folder on the C drive. If there are profiles that are no longer in use, deleting them can free up additional space.

5] Miscellaneous steps to free up space on the C drive

Consider emptying the Recycle Bin to reclaim more space. Additionally, delete temporary files by opening the Run command box, typing %temp%, and clicking OK to access the Temp folder, where you can delete all contained files. For a more thorough cleanup, third-party utilities can also be employed to scan the C drive and eliminate unnecessary files.

Finally, navigate to Windows 11 Settings, go to Apps > Installed apps, and review the list of installed programs. Uninstall any that you no longer use.

How do I free up 10 GB of space on Windows?

Freeing up 10 GB of space on your hard disk can be achieved through various methods, although the actual amount of space you can recover will depend on the size of the files currently stored. For the C drive, consider deleting non-essential files, while for other partitions, transferring data to an external storage device can be effective.

How to fix We can’t tell if your PC has enough space to continue installing Windows 11?

The error message “We can’t tell if your PC has enough space to continue installing Windows 11. Try restarting Setup” typically arises from insufficient disk space. To resolve this, delete junk files and uninstall any programs that are no longer needed to create the necessary space for the installation.