Windows 10: can't get OS to use external drive for any updates

Lenovo laptop has 32gb hard drive, and I have attached a 2 TB USB expansion drive. All applications are and data are loaded and available on the expansion drive. However, when the OS tries to update, it identifies that there is not enough drive space on C:, and asks that I clear out 8gb, OR it says, install an external drive. Seems my OS does not see the external drive when it comes to downloading and applying OS and security updates.


I have been through the forums and have successfully gotten the updates to load directly to the external drive, but when update begins, it tries to load the updates AGAIN to C:, and then the same loop occurs regarding not enough space on C:.


I need a fail proof solution to download and apply MS OS and security updates directly from the expansion drive D:.

:)

 

External drive

Hi Richard,

There are several factors that can cause your external drive to not read DVDs even though the system is recognizing the device. This could be caused by a driver that needs to updated or corrupted files. For us to resolve your concern, kindly answer the questions
below:

• Just to confirm, the device that is not working properly is a external DVD optical drive?
• Were there any recent changes or updates installed on your computer?
• Have you tried to plug the external drive to a different port on your computer?

As a initial recommendation, we suggest that your run the built in troubleshooter in Windows 10. Kindly refer to the steps below:

• Type “Troubleshooting” in the Search bar and press Enter.
• Click on “View All” in the top left corner.
• This will display the list of troubleshooters which are built-in in the computer. You can click on
  Hardware and Devices from the list and you can run the troubleshooter.

This will check for common errors that affect hardware on your computer and attempts to correct them.

We look forward to your response after completing the steps.

 

External Hard Drive

Hi John,

We suggest that you try the troubleshooting steps below:

• Open your External Hard Drive file in File Explorer.
• Type the name of the file you want to search on the search box and click Enter.

The file will show up in Search Results and you will be able to move it to the correct folder.

Let us know if you need further help.

 

Hard drive/ OS issue

a guy suggested :

• shutdown
• unhooked HDD
• restarted
• yay !!
• reconnected HDD
• restarted
• yay !!

also , try method 3
How do I unlock the drive where Windows 10 is installed?