Not enough memory to reset HP Stream 11 even when using F11, Disk Clean Up and deleted all files

[skbaiju]

Please help!

I am going round in circles in trying to reset my HP Stream so I can give it to my nephews. I have deleted everything possible in my files that there is nothing personal left and only system files. I have performed a disk clean up and only a very few MB remain. And I have tried both restoring using the Recovery section in Settings and going through F11. 

The Recovery section states in the message that I need clear 225MB to complete Restore because there is 23.5 GB of space out of 29.1 of Space when I click on the Storage section. Of that 20.1 is System and Reserve, when you click to see the breakdown of storage, and 2.27GB is Pending Updates and Preview Builds under Temporary Files, which I cannot reduce. I also cannot delete any more apps in case I delete something important; so far I have deleted what I could. (Surprising though that I only have access to 29.1GB of space when this is a 32GB machine. I could really use that lost 3GB!)

The F11 message states that I need to to create more space in Windows. Can it be right that Windows has used up so much space that it renders the machine unuseable? Surely HP must have factored this in when deciding how much memory is needed by MS for an HP product to be of value and use to a customer. 

No matter what I do there is just not enough memory and I cannot complete a restore because of it. As it is I cannot even recycle this machine and clear my details from it!

I'd be grateful if someone could get back to me on this.

Many thanks

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@skbaiju

Hello;

Allow me to welcome you to the HP forums!

When HP designed and built the 32GB Stream series, they had no knowledge that later, MS would start releasing HUGE cumulative updates. So, at the time, 32GB seemed sufficient for running an OS (that actually takes LESS space than its predecessors), and a few apps.
 
I have a Win10 install on the same desktop as a Win8.1, and with the same apps in both, the Win10 (for a long time), took up less than HALF the disk space of the Win8.1 installation. Only recently, with the growth of the Cumulative Updates, has it started to take up additional space.
 
Fast forward to NOW, and LOTS of folks with Streams post here about how they can no longer do Windows Updates because these new Cumulative Updates want several GB of free space -- which they don't have.
 
And since, in MS's infinite wisdom, they no longer allow us (with Win10) to decide WHICH updates to apply, it's either put up with Updates repeatedly failing (and eventually, trashing the PC), or disabling updates -- leaving the PC vulnerable to security threats.

You can recover SOME space by following these directions to clean out duplication in the Windows Update repository: http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-clean-up-winsxs-folder-in-windows-10/

IF that is not sufficient, they your only recourse then is doing a factory reset using HP Recovery Media.

HP Recovery Media is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities. In some cases, you may be able to order a USB stick instead of disks. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update". If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the "+" symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Service:

If you live in the US or Canada, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/phone-assist.html#section1

If you live elsewhere, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

NOTE: After you get through, stay on the line until you are finally able to talk to some one -- it can take a while!

If you have trouble finding a phone number, then try: 1 (800) 474-6836
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However, HP Customer Support is generally not available on the weekends, so you might have to wait until Monday to contact them.
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Good Luck

[skbaiju]

Thanks for responding with such a detailed reply.  I have tried the Windows clean up already and had already booked a HP Customer Support, but I have to wait until Monday (I'm in the UK). Thought I'd try the forum to see if it could be done sooner. Looks like i have to go the Recovery Media route!

Many thanks