• Make your own room for new Windows versions

    Yesterday Microsoft posted an article called Windows 10 update issues on devices with low storage space.

    It explains how running Windows Update may freeze if you don’t have enough drive space.

    Symptoms

    On Microsoft Windows 10 systems that have limited storage space (such as thin clients or embedded systems), when you run Windows Update, the update initialization may fail.

    Cause

    Windows Update does not check systems for adequate space requirements before it initializes.

    There follows a laundry list of things you can do to free up space on your hard drive or SSD.

    What you won’t find is an explanation of why the installer can’t simply look for sufficient space before, you know, installing, and falling over gently if there isn’t enough room.

    @rpodric has a great analysis:

    So… could somebody tell me why Windows can’t check before stepping in the ooze?

    Would somebody also tell me why Microsoft ever allowed “Windows” machines to be sold with 32 GB of storage?

    Windows as a Tired Old Relic….