HP Stream Low Memory Issues

[Kwenbee]

I purchased an HP Stream in February 2020. I LOVE the keyboard and the computer itself. My issue now, however, is huge. I am completely out of memory on my hard drive. This memory issue began about three weeks ago and it seems to be getting worse. 

I store nothing on my hard drive. The only thing on the drive is Microsoft Money (I am slowly shifting to Quickbooks), Google Chrome, the software for my air card when our internet goes out and Paint.net (use it too much to delete). I also have a printer and wireless mouse driver. Other than that, there is NOTHING I can delete to free memory. It does appear that Windows updates have taken up a ton of memory.

Today, I found my wireless printer lists as "offline" for scanning because an update needed to be installed. I do not have enough memory to update it. I store EVERYTHING on OneDrive, yet I am having issues with thumbnails showing because of the memory issue.

I don't know what to do. I have looked into upgrading this hard drive. It cannot be upgraded. I have external storage, but if cloud storage is not working, why would an SD card work. The programs I am using are absolutely necessary for me to do my job. And I HAVE eliminated as many as I can.

I tried deleting some of the Microsoft apps that are eating up space and do not have that option. For example, I will never use the phone app on this system...nor will I use some of the other installed apps, yet I cannot delete them.

I do not have the money to buy a new computer to replace one that is LESS THAN SIX MONTHS OLD. Everything I am reading indicates this computer's memory issue is a major problem.

What actual solution can you provide for those of us who purchased this? Is it possible I can return this computer under warranty as the issues seem to be on the manufacturing end rather than the user end? This is just not going to work for me if I cannot do updates for my devices that I NEED on a daily basis.

[WAWood]

@Kwenbee 

It's not MEMORY; it's Disk Space.

You're basically stuck with what you have because the space is not expandable.

Here are some things you can do to recover some of the disk space:
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3012-disk-cleanup-open-use-windows-10-a.html
http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-clean-up-winsxs-folder-in-windows-10/

Also, the community Win10 Forums has the following suggestions:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/83441-free-up-drive-space-windows-10-a.html

In addition, I have found the utility Cleanmgr+ to have LOTS of options for removing Windows junk, including log files. I use it practically every day. You can get it from here: https://www.getclone.app/download/category/11-cleanmgr

Also, there is a freeware app known as Wise Disk Cleaner. I use it every day to get rid of junk files: https://www.wisecleaner.com/wise-disk-cleaner.html

[Kwenbee]

Yes, I do know it is actually SPACE...I apologize...I do think the computer says "memory" in the error but not sure.

I have cleaned this thing every day over the past two weeks. I am seriously dumping files daily to free up space. I simply cannot take anymore off of it to do anything else.

I will try the link you gave me to remove the stupid Windows programs I absolutely do not need.

I just don't understand why HP would even manufacture a computer with a hard drive so small the operating system takes up all the space....I was reading online that it is designed for cloud storage. I have no issue with that. I already store everything to the cloud, but you still need to be able to install various programs you need to use...not all programs work from the cloud.

I really do like this computer. It is the perfect size and I love the feel of the keyboard. It operates fast (but that may be because my last laptop had gotten so slow it was torture to use).

My biggest issue right now is that my printer continues to show offline for scanning because I need to do an update. I will try your tips to clear up more space and hopefully that will help.

[Kwenbee]

So...your link does not work. It gives me a 404 error....I found it here

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/cleanmgr.html

I ran it and freed up 260 mb of space...that helps. I am going to look for a way to delete the unwanted MS programs as well. Thanks for your help!

[WAWood]

@Kwenbee 

I agree that selling a laptop with only 32GB of "disk space" is ridiculous, but that was HP's decision to do that in order to keep the price down.

OK, here's the current link for cleanmgr+  https://www.mirinsoft.com/cleanmgrplus

[Kwenbee]

Well, it added a little space but it did not really help. I still cannot update my printer driver nor can I update Microsoft Office 365 as I don't have enough disk space.

I don't imagine there is a way to use Office 365 in an online version rather than downloading the program to my hard drive? That might help. Other than that, I guess until I get a free day where I can move Microsoft Money completely to Quickbooks, I am doomed to deal with "you have an update" banners on my Office files...

I get keeping the price low, but you would think they would understand that even cloud based programs require things added to the hard drive. Using a condensed version of Windows on this type of computer (I seem to recall my other netbook having that) would have made much more sense.

I will click your thumbs up but I am not marking this as fixed. It is not.

[WAWood]

@Kwenbee 

Actually, there IS a way to use MS Office online -- but I believe you have to upload everything to OneCloud -- and since I do NOT use cloud services, nor to I have Office 365, I have not tried that.

But, it is worth your checking out to see if that works for you.

Good Luck