HP stream can't update windows 10 not enough memory

[lucyblue610]

I got this laptop for my daughter in December and it is asking me to update windows 10.  Every time I try to do this it lets me get through the box that says update now but then it says I do not have enough memory. 

I haven't added anything to this system, everything is saved on the cloud, I can't find anything that I think I can uninstall to free up the 8GB is says I need.  I have tried to use the tool to create spac but is won't give me nearly enough.  I only have 4GB free.

I have looked online and have seen that you can update using external storage if device supports it. I have connected a USB and an external hard drive but it doesn't ever give me the option of using these to update.  Does this device support using external storage?

Can someone please tell me what I can do to fix this.  I have only had this for 4 months and I can't believe that it is already out of date and unable to update myself because there isn't enough storage, there must be some way for me to do this myself?!

Thank you.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @lucyblue610

Welcome to the HP Support forum.

I have used your PC model for a year. 

This is considered a cloudbook/netbook.

For just 199 $ you get this small portable PC + long lasting battery + Windows license + additional software = all just for 199 $ It's really worth the money but it can't have all the perks of a PC which costs 1999 USD.

I have tried various optimizations but what worked best was clean Windows installation - meaning that erasing everything and performing clean installation. The process of erasing everything (formatting all partitions) involves erasing the recovery partition, as well.

Clean Windows 10 installation build 1709 + all Windows updates will free up 8 GB more than what you can free up with all the optimizations you can do manually.

However, I do feel for you and I do understand your Windows 10 issues.

The permanent (or long lasting) solution is to reinstall Windows and to perform clean Windows installation.

Currently, your PC has a recovery partition which can be used to reinstall Windows or for recovery purposes but it takes a lot of space. By reinstalling Windows 10, you can delete this and gain some 8-10 GB space extra.

This is the fastest, cheapest (free) and easiest solution - not difficult - here are instructions >> 

Windows reinstallation / clean installation :

- You can directly download Windows 10 ISO from MS site or download >> Media creation tool from Microsoft site, create installation DVD or installation USB  and  proceed with clean installation/reinstallation.

Download:

>> https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

Make sure you select the proper version (64 bit / Home) 

Media Creation tool will always provide you with the latest Windows version/build - now 1709 Fall Creators Update.

- When download completes, you will need to write  the ISO image and boot from a bootable media. You will need a blank USB pendrive (min 4 GB capacity). Use the media creation tool

When ready with the USB drive:

Please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, start hitting the Esc button repeatedly (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the USB thumb drive as a boot option.

- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10. Perform clean installation/custom installation (not repair).

Delete all existing partitions and install Windows on Disc 0 Unallocated space

- After successful Windows installation, connect to a wi-fi network and update Windows immediately - this will update Windows but it will also install drivers for this device to enable/active the hardware

- Make sure Windows is Activated by going to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Activation

- You may wish to stop some of the Windows Telemetry by using free tools such as Spybot AntiBeacon or DWS Lite

Hope this works for you. Let me know how it goes and if this helped.

[bdpickle]

I watched a video of the process you've described, but as of today, there is an April update and the dialog boxes are not the same. OR, the issue of me using an external hard drive in lieu of a blank USB stick is the problem.

I will go get a stick and see what happens with that. does it matter which USB port I plug into? I think my laptop has different grade level USB plugs.

[IT_WinSec]

The port doesn't matter - it's just the USB pendrive which needs to be 4 GB or higher.

The video instructions are just an example - use them as a reference/example.

The media creation tool from Microsoft is pretty straight-forward and easy to use - just follow the on-screen instructions

[bdpickle]

the process didn't go well, in fact I'm still struggling:

the media stick I bought is a Lexar 16G and unused.

the download onto the stick from the microsoft site was straightforward enough and I found the .iso file on the Lexar, It was in a subdirectory called

Win 10_1830_English_x64.iso.download

I copied it to the root directory so that it would be easy to find

I followed the instructions to press esc key during power up and f9 key to choose location to boot from

the two options were:

OS boot Manager (UEFI)-...

or

Boot from EFI File

The first would have the machine boot up as normal, the second would then give me another choice between:

No Volume Label,

or

Lexar

the Lexar option then allowed me to choose

Win 10_1830_E.iso.download

That didn't start anything... I finally rebooted the machine as normal and can type this message.

What step did I miss?

[bdpickle]

I've still not resolved my issue. Do you have any further suggestions based on my last response?

[IT_WinSec]

---

@bdpickle wrote:

the process didn't go well, in fact I'm still struggling:

the media stick I bought is a Lexar 16G and unused.

the download onto the stick from the microsoft site was straightforward enough and I found the .iso file on the Lexar, It was in a subdirectory called

Win 10_1830_English_x64.iso.download

I copied it to the root directory so that it would be easy to find

---

Hi @bdpickle

I'm afraid this is somewhat wrong.

All you need to do :

1. Watch the video and use it as a reference (aka follow it but practise your common sense)

2. Insert (plug in) the USB pen drive

3. Download only the Windows Media Creation tool

4. Run the Media Creation tool

It is the one which will download the appropriate ISO, it is the one which will write it on the USB via special way so that it makes it a bootable USB. Otherwise, it won't work

What you did and what you describe above is wrong and won't help you boot the PC from the USB.

.download is an extension from the browser or downloader and it means the the file has not been downloaded 100%, it has been interrupted. The ISO images are large in size (several GBs) - esure stable Internet connection

You do not need to copy or move anything manually.

---

@bdpickle wrote:

I followed the instructions to press esc key during power up and f9 key to choose location to boot from

the two options were:

OS boot Manager (UEFI)-...

or

Boot from EFI File

The first would have the machine boot up as normal, the second would then give me another choice between:

No Volume Label,

or

Lexar

the Lexar option then allowed me to choose

Win 10_1830_E.iso.download

---

You may open the BIOS and

1. disable Secure Boot

2. enable Legacy mode

When ready with the USB drive:

* Enter BIOS (F10) option during start up

* Go to System Configuration -> Boot options

* Ensure Secure Boot is disabled  (if applicable for your model)

* Ensure Legacy mode is enabled (if applicable for your model)

* Save the UEFI/BIOS changes. Exit saving the changes

(if applicable for your model) Details>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03653226

Eventually, please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Ubuntu USB thumdrive or the Ubuntu DVD prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, keep hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the USB thumb drive as boot option.

[acaprice]

Unfortunately I can't help you because it's not possible for Windows to redirect the Windows updates to any drive other than the C drive or the drive the operating system is installed on. My daughter purchased me a stream and I had the same issue. My daughter was told using an SD card or external hard drive would solve the problem. I ended up uninstalling Microsoft Office and all of the HP support software. I installed what I could on the SD card.  Unfortunately, you cannot take advantage of most online storage solutions either because most of them are set to sync to the C drive as well.  My solution is to as manufacturers and Microsoft to have a the decentcy not to sell notebooks that they know can't function properly. Please quit misleading customers into thinking you can just add more external memory.  I think they owe anyone who purchased the HP Stream a real notebook or credit towards one with a real Solid State or other internal HD that can be upgraded and can install updates for more than a day. It's not just HP but every company and Microsoft too That's passing off EMMC chips that barely have enough room for the operating system 32 GB when Windows take up 25 before updates, as a inexpensive solution for home or work computer.  Just warn all of your friends not to buy these if you need a work or school computer you need 250 GB hard drive or bigger.  I'm sorry you're in the same boat. Amie C. Villiard

[Zippos4]

I have followed what HP and Windows have said to resolve this.

i purchased 2 flash drives both 64 gb.

I followed the steps to create installation media (USB flash drive or DVD) you can use to install a new copy of Windows 10, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows 10.

I changed the boot order (F9) to automatically boot from the USB.

This worked, but on downloading it stated that this system will not work and i should use the setup which is also on the USB stick. 

Windows then went on to download to the USB stick and then stated it would use the memory on the USB stick to download windows 10.

But there is an issue, after a few hours of getting this far, and even though windows is saying i have 54gb of memory and that it would use this external memory. 

ITS STILL SAYING I HAVE TO MAKE SPACE AND NEED TO FREE UP OVER 3GB ON THE LAPTOP.

You have to laugh, since windows states it will help you free up the space needed. but all options it gives me is empty of any memory use. except the system - so what from the system can i remove, before the laptop stops functioning.

Like others i advise all people to stay away from these useless HP laptops

[Echo_Lake]

@Zippos4
Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.

I appreciate your efforts to try and resolve the issue. 

• If you're not using HP RECOVERY MEDIA, I would recommend contact our support and purchase one. 
  HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link: www.hp.com/contacthp/
   
• And, also you can run an HDD test to check if the hard drive is gone bad.
  Test the hard drive using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics:

Please click here to download sp98768.exe, or go to the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Supporting Website.

1. Plug the AC adapter into the computer.
2. Press the Power button for at least five seconds to turn off the computer.
3. Turn on the computer and start pressing Esc repeatedly, about once every second. When the menu appears, press the F2 key.
4. When the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics menu displays, click Component Tests.
5. In the Component Tests menu, click Hard Drive.
6. Click the Quick Test.
7. Click Run once. If the computer has more than one hard drive, click Test All Hard Drives. The Quick Test begins.
8. If the computer has more than one hard drive, select the drive you want to test. To test all the hard drives, select Test All Hard Drives.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.