Do you own an HP Stream Laptop running Windows 10?
byMark Townsend
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11 May, 2018
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Is it failing to update because you have no free space?
A problem I frequently come across is HP Stream laptops that simply cannot update to the latest version of Windows 10 because there isn't enough free space for this to happen. Putting a 32 GB Hard drive in one of these laptops seems very short sighted indeed. With previous Operating Systems you could just about get away with it because windows updates were cumulative and fairly minor but when it comes to Windows 10 you are stuck even if you have stored virtually nothing on the laptop. I would have said that maybe the problem couldn't have been foreseen if all the laptops had come with Windows 7 on and been upgraded but many of my Customers have purchased them with Windows 10 on from the start.
Everything changed with Windows 10 because instead of Service Packs for major updates Microsoft just issue a whole new Operating System once every six months. Unless you have 6 - 8 GB of free space to allow the Operating System to download along with around the same again to use as a working area during the change you simply can't update. Having up to 16 GB free on a laptop that only came with 32GB to start with and now has an Operating System, some programs installed and some data saved just doesn't add up.
When I'm called to help out with these laptops I simply wipe them and install a fresh copy of Windows 10. This is the easiest way to resolve the problem. You don't need any download or working area just a clean install from media. On the first ones I did I found a few updates, added Google Chrome, Adobe Reader and Avast and to my horror they were already down to less than 10 GB of free space. I now just return them with a clean copy of Windows 10 and advise the Customer to put on as little as possible in order to preserve the free space for as long as possible. An external drive is the best place to store your Data.
Some Customers have recently contacted me to say that their HP Stream is now so far out of date that Microsoft are no longer supporting them. Continuing to run in this scenario is as risky as running Windows XP or Vista so I would recommend taking some action. Churchdown Computers are keen to keep these laptops running for our Customers so we offer a couple of low cost services.
1. If you are happy that you have backed up your data and are able to reinstall any programs that you have I will wipe the laptop and install Windows 10 v1803 Spring Creators update for £30. As well as the above this assumes you will deliver it to me and collect it when done. The returned laptop will have Windows 10 on and nothing else.
2. If you require me to backup your data and reinstall your programs afterwards I will do this for an additional £30 (Total £60). You will need to supply any discs required for the installation, along with licence keys or let me know the usernames and passwords associated with any downloads. Contrary to popular belief I cannot magic Microsoft Office out of thin air or copy it from your current Program Files. A clean install with the appropriate media is required.
If you are interested in any of the above services please call Mark on 07557 483438 or e-mail me on mark@churchdowncomputers.co.uk. You can also send a message via theContact Page
