Windows 10: Installing Anniversary Update successfully on small devices

I successfully installed WAU on my 32 GB (really less than 30 GB) 2-in-1 over two weeks ago, after two MS techicians using remote access, had not. It worked well for about five hours, then as my my local technician explains, for completely unconnected reasons the SSD failed unrepairably. I am replacing the computer with a very similar one but with some upgrades, especially 64 GB (and 64 bits). So, when it arrives with Windows 10 pre-installed, I am not expecting to have the same 'small device' issues when I update this time. But for the benefit of those who may continue with 32 GB machines I will ouline how I did it, as someone with virtually no technical expertise whatsoeve. It may help someone.

1. over a long period I had moved absolutely everything I could (files, media, apps / programs) to external USB and SD (not very expensive)
2. I continually cleaned away junk, every day running tools like Enhanced CCleaner (as a result, the MS techs found there was not much more they could clean and Windows' own Disk Cleaner was of little use)
3. I added a new empty USB drive, 32 GB, which was brought into use by the system automatically during the installation
4. still the Update Assistant kept reporting that it could not proceed as there was not the 16 GB minimum free required, nearly but not quite enough
5. then I noticed that during the unnsucceful install efforts a new Windows.old file had been created, several GB and maybe just enough?
6. I knew I might be 'burning my bridges"; even so I deleted it. The Assistant instantly sprang into life, I had the 16 GB; the installation began and completed in about an hour without any problems.

During the five hours during which I had the Anniversary Update on my 'small machine' I sampled all the new features I could, all worked smoothly and in general I felt they were worthwhile enhancements, which I have missed for the past few weeks, having to fall back on an unfamiliar Android tablet. I am looking forward to the delivery of my new Windows machine.

I am somewhat disappointed in MS not having provided support and solutions for 'small devices' as was rumoured they were planning to do. As time passes there will be many more user, phones, tablets, hybrides --- there should be more help for them. If a laymen like me with so little expertise (plus luck) can do it, so too can others.

:)

 

After successfully installing Anniversary Update, Windows 10 freezes up within a minute of bootup

Nobody seems to understand my problem or they're just trying to get me to give up. I have repeatedly informed the community that I cannot get past the login screen. The only advice is to go into the system and activate safe mode. If I can't get past the
login prompt then I can't make any changes. Acer doesn't supply recovery disks, there OS disks are in a directory hidden on my c: drive. I need some way to get to the recovery software. I have tried all the standard fixes, (win+r, f4, f8,no restore points
all removed during anniv update). As it stands, I did the Anniversary update as recommended and I now have an expensive paper weight. So much for support.

 

After successfully installing Anniversary Update, Windows 10 freezes up within a minute of bootup

I store all my data on a separate drive on three computers, but I used a different method to point Windows to these locations. The Anniversary update worked fine using this method.

Open File Explorer > right click on Documents > Properties > Location

Point it to the new location > Move

Do the same with Pictures, Music, Videos.

What is interesting is that Start > System > Storage all still say C??

You can also change OneDrive location safely.

I did have a problem on one computer - a netbook with 32GB SSD drive C:. My docs are on a SD card E: I had to have a bootable USB stick plugged in to do the upgrade so Windows changed the drive letter of my SD card to F:

The first thing to complain on restart was OneDrive, which couldn't find its folder. I changed the drice letter in disk management and all was well.

 

PS ---- I should have added that I carried out a clean install, probably a significant extra point.