Not enough space on your hard drive or running into errors when you're trying to update Windows 10? Try this method instead
If you can't install major Windows 10 updates directly on to your PC - either because you don't have space for the large file, or because you're encountering errors in the installation process - then it's possible to install Windows 10 updates from a USB drive or from an SD memory card inserted into the card reader slot.
The process requires a little patience, but it isn't too difficult to follow.
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As ever with major system updates, it's worth performing a full file and system backup first, just in case anything goes wrong with the installation process.
See our guide to creating a backup of your PC
Get the Windows Media Creation Tool
Download Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool (which downloads Windows 10) from Microsoft's website. Choose 32-bit or 64-bit, depending on your system.
Not sure if your system is 32-bit or 64-bit? No problem – see our guide on how to check your system properties.
Once downloaded, go to the folder you've saved it in (usually your Downloads folder), double-click the Media Creation Tool’s exe file.
Tick Create installation media for another PC then Next.
Create a Windows 10 installation USB
You'll be asked whether you want to create a USB flash drive (you’ll need to insert one with 4GB or more free space) or an ISO file, which you can turn into an installation DVD. Choose the USB option (it's much more straightforward) and click Next.
Select your USB drive from the list and click Next. You’ll then need to wait while the Windows 10 update downloads, which can take a fair while, depending on your internet connection.
Start the Windows 10 upgrade
When finished, navigate to the USB drive and double-click setup.exe to begin the Windows 10 upgrade process.
Note that on the next screen, the box saying I want to help make the installation of Windows better is pre-ticked. If you don't want to have data about your Windows set-up collected, untick that box. Then click Accept on the licence screen that follows, and then the tool will check for updates, which will take a few minutes.
On the next screen, check the pre-ticked options are right - the defaults of Install Windows 10 Home and Keep personal files and apps are what you want if you're updating rather than doing a fresh install of Windows - and then click Install.
Follow all the on-screen prompts until you see a message saying Installing Windows 10.
As soon as your computer restarts, remove the USB drive then follow the remaining prompts to complete the installation.
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