Windows 10: How do I get Windows 10 update to recognize my external drive?

Early on in the Windows 10 update process, I was able to upgrade an HP Stream 7 and a Stream 11 to Windows 10. Both had the same 32GB RAM and nominal 32GB eMMC as the Stream 14 I am wrestling with. Both came to a point where they told me the device had insufficient space on its C:\ drive. In both instances I selected an external Micro SD drive, and off it went with the upgrade.
In this instance I cannot get past that point. I select the external drive (a 320GB external USB spinner) but it doesn't accept that or any other external device I offer it.
When I click "Refresh" it says that it needs 10GB on C:\ drive, and eventually says that the upgrade failed.
The computer has been wiped, and reset to factory spec for W8.1 with all updates installed. It has ~20GB on C, and 7GB in another partition, so even if I find a way to remove the partition it wont be enough.
I'm about to have to give up on this thing and just make the poor user run with W8.1 until further notice, unless some kind soul can give me some idea of how to get past this point.
Thank you!

:)

 

How do I get Windows 10 to recognize my external hard drive?

1. when I plug in the external hard drive the light on the hard drive flashes and I get no response from my computer that I plugged it in.

2. My external hard drive is a Toshiba Canvio USB 3 (B) 750 GB

3. Yes. I've connected to all 3 usb ports and the only thing that happens is the light on the external hard drive flashes. The computer says the hard drive has the most current driver and that the hard drive is working properly.

 

How do I get Windows 10 to recognize my external hard drive?

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Please answer the below questions to understand the situation better.

1. What happens when you try to connect your external hard drive?

2. What is the make and model of your external hard drive?

3. Have you tried connecting to different USB ports and checked whether it detects?

I would suggest you to check if device is detected in device manager and if you see a red x or yellow exclamation on device drivers.

Please refer the below thread and the suggestions provided by
Vinodh_Kumar V replied on December 2, 2015

External Hard Drive not showing on Windows 10

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.

 

Maybe try a USB flash drive?