How to Fix ‘Setup Needs Space to Update Windows 11’ Error

To successfully install Windows 11, you need to have sufficient free space on your HDD or SSD. If there isn’t adequate space available, you may encounter issues during installation or updating. A common error message users face is “Setup needs space to update Windows 11.” If you come across this error, the solutions outlined in this article will help you resolve the issue.

Resolve the “Setup needs space to update” Error in Windows 11/10

If you’re greeted with the “Setup needs space to update” notification when attempting to install or upgrade Windows 11/10, follow these steps to reclaim some disk space:

1. Utilize Disk Cleanup
2. Turn off the Page file and Hibernation
3. Remove System Restore Points and deactivate System Protection
4. Eliminate unused or dormant user profiles
5. Additional methods to clear up space on the C drive

Let’s get started.

1] Utilize Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a native Windows 11 tool that assists in clearing up space on your hard drive by eliminating unnecessary files. You can access it through the Windows 11 Search bar. Once opened, choose the Clean up System Files option, select the C drive, and click OK for it to scan your system files.

Several options will be pre-selected. You can choose additional options like Windows Upgrade log files to maximize space clearance. If System error memory log files consume significant space, you may choose to delete them as they pose no risk to your system functionality. However, doing so means you will not be able to diagnose BSOD errors later.

Check if you can proceed with updating Windows 11 now.

2] Turn off the Page file and Hibernation

Should the error persist during the Windows 11 update, further space may be needed on your C drive. In this scenario, consider disabling the Page file and Hibernation. The Page file is essential for managing virtual memory and typically should remain enabled, but turning off Hibernation will free up additional space. You can reactivate the Page file following the successful update.

To disable the Page file, follow these instructions:

1. Access 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 found under the Performance category.
6. Navigate to the Advanced tab and select Change in the Virtual memory section.
7. Deselect the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option.
8. Select the C drive.
9. Choose No paging file and click Set.
10. Hit OK.

Try again to update Windows 11.

3] Remove System Restore Points and turn off System Protection

System Restore Points utilize disk space on the C drive, as they enable users to revert the system to a previous state if issues arise. To investigate how much space these restore points are occupying, access the System Restore tool. Open Windows Search, type Create a restore point, and select it. Under the System Protection tab, select the C drive and proceed by clicking the Configure button to view current usage.

If the System Restore Points consume substantial space, you can delete them. Just click Delete. Alternatively, turning off System Protection will also erase all restore points on the C drive. Disabling it does not jeopardize system stability; however, the downside is the inability to restore your system to a prior point if necessary.

Attempt to update Windows 11 afterward and see if the error is resolved. Ensure to re-enable System Protection post-update.

4] Eliminate unused or inactive user profiles

Windows 11 supports multiple user profiles, each containing a dedicated folder for storing data. These folders occupy space on your C drive. If there are profiles that are not utilized, consider removing them to free up that space.

5] Additional measures to clear space on the C drive

Make sure to empty your Recycle Bin for additional space. You can also delete temporary files by opening the Run command box, typing %temp%, and pressing OK. This action will open the Temp folder allowing you to delete all its contents. Alternatively, consider using third-party software to scan your C drive for unneeded files.

In Windows 11 Settings, navigate to Apps > Installed apps. Review your installed applications carefully, and uninstall any that you do not use.

That concludes the methods. I hope this assists you.

How to Free Up 10 GB of Space in Windows?

There are numerous techniques you can employ to free up space on your hard drive. However, the ability to free up 10 GB depends on factors such as the size of files and the specific partition where you aim to create space. To make room on the C drive, it’s possible to delete certain files but not all. For partitions beyond C, consider transferring your files to an external storage device.

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

The notification “We can’t determine if your PC has sufficient space to proceed with Windows 11 installation. Please restart Setup” is typically a result of inadequate disk space. To address this, manage your disk by deleting junk files and uninstalling applications you no longer need.

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