Windows 11 on HP HP Z2 Tower G5 Workstation Issue

[Meherabode]

Hello

I have the 2tb ssd cards drive c is 2tb. To install Windows 11 64 bit pro I need 250GB free space.

At this moment I have 212GB free space. Here is what I attempted to solve the space issue.

On drive c I move Documents, Downloads, Videos, and Pictures to another hard drive. The files size 212 GB did not change. 

I attempted this move after attempting to install Windows 11. And the install back out returning me to the usual login screen.

What I did next was uninstalled large Adobe CC applications example Dreamweaver CC 2021 1.7 GB. I uninstalled many CCs and the file size did not change. 

Thus after moving user files and uninstalling many large applications the file size on C did not change - and I am unable to install Windows 11.

The second SSD card I have 313 GB free but install defaults to Drive C for install unable to direct install as another option to SSD drive I

Thanks for any advice

[Venom21 · Accepted solution]

How exactly you trying to update and what is your current windows version? Backup your important data as I suggest to do clean install by boot into USB and install windows from there. Delete old windows drive first with its partition and then install new windows on it. 

[Meherabode]

Hello

Version 10.0.19043 Build 19043

I have a Windows 11 Pro 64bit DVD with serial  number - I follow the install path by advancing into Next reboots and so forth then at the end the install drops away I am then booted into Windows 10 log in screen.

I found on C drive a Dropbox folder. That was unexpected. The Dropbox app is not installed the folders are there last date on folder June 2025. I deleted the dropbox folder 400 GBs. Nothing changed on C drive.  The full delete should have increased C drive disk space at least another 400 GB . That did not happen. 

After that massive folder file delete the results are the same 1.81 TB used, 220GB free. 

[Meherabode]

Another side note is that before attempted to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 I attempted to create a restore point. That feature to creating a restore point on Drive C was disabled. I was unable to create the restore point but I have copied as noted all personal files Docs, Download, Music, Videos to another hard drive thus the files were safely stored now without the restore point I then attempted to installed Windows 11. 

[Meherabode]

It is over the last two weeks this effort. I have run the install through F9 boot to CD; and also within Windows launching setup exe.  The install performs as expected then fiddles out towards it potential completion. 

I was thinking I should run Windows 10 repair but then again the install package would take care of any issues.

Thanks for attentions to this issue.

[Meherabode]

Hello

Made several follow up comments on this issue maybe the notes were unread.

In short though I deleted many large files gigabytes worth the size of C drive never expanded to give me room to install windows 11.  What I will do is order a new m.2 ssd 2TB drive remove the m.2 os drive and install windows 11 on the new drive - then later copy over from the former m.2  all the files and so forth.