How can I upgrade so I have more free space?

[Hanny-_92]

I'm not sure if it matters or not, but the original operating system was Windows 10, I changed to Windows 11.

Anyway, I have a HP Pavilion x360 Convertible laptop with an 8 GB RAM. I would like more space, its full. 1 TB would be nice. But I have no idea what to do. 

I have a few games downloaded, I'm not sure if there are certain storage upgrades for games vs. working/school, etc.

I have no idea where to even start. I've heard of external hard-drives and SSD's but i don't know what an SSD is.

[Nal_NR · Accepted solution]

Hi @Hanny-_92,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

Here’s a sensory-based guide to upgrading storage on your HP Pavilion x360 - 15-dq0078nr:

1. Understand Storage Options (Touch & Visual)

• SSD (Solid State Drive) is a faster and more reliable type of storage compared to traditional hard drives (HDD). It is great for games and work/school files because it loads applications and files much quicker.
• External Hard Drives are useful for extra storage but connect via USB. They don’t speed up your system but provide more space for storing larger files like games, documents, and media.

2. Identify Current Storage (Visual)

• Go to Settings > System > Storage to see how much space you currently have.
• Determine if your laptop uses an SSD or HDD by checking the storage type in Task Manager under the Performance tab > Disk section.

3. Internal SSD Upgrade (Touch & Visual)

• If you want to upgrade your internal storage, purchase a 1TB SSD (e.g., NVMe SSD for faster speed).
• To physically install it, you’ll need a small screwdriver and a compatible 1TB SSD.
  • Turn off the laptop and remove the back panel (usually held by screws).
  • Carefully locate the existing SSD and swap it out with the new one.
  • Reassemble and install Windows on the new drive if needed, or clone the existing drive using software.

4. External Storage Option (Touch)

• If you prefer an easier route, buy an external SSD or external hard drive (connects via USB).
  • Plug it into a USB port on your laptop.
  • Transfer large files (like games, videos, and photos) by dragging and dropping them onto the external drive to free up internal space.

5. Manage Storage (Visual & Auditory)

• Uninstall unused programs or delete unnecessary files to free space. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps to see what's taking up space.
• Use cloud storage options like Google Drive or OneDrive for documents, photos, and school files that don’t need to be stored locally.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

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