How do I increase a laptop storage space?

Janey1a · 21 December 2017 at 4:39PM

I needed a cheap laptop - nothing fancy, not to store photos or anything, just something my son could do do homework on and print/scan with. Bought an HP laptop with 32GB storage - reviews stated it was perfect for homework so I thought it would be sufficient. However, as soon as I loaded the software on to use my printer, it's saying the storage is nearly full. The only other program I have loaded is ITunes for my hubby to use - now I can't even do an update to ITunes as its saying there's not enough room.

I'm not techie at all! Can anyone tell me how I can easily increase storage?
Many thanks.

molerat · 21 December 2017 at 4:50PM

External USB hard drive to plug in, network hard drive attached to your router or portable memory stick. These small devices do the work but need external storage for the files.

[Deleted User] · 21 December 2017 at 4:50PM

Put a bigger hard drive in(If you can)

Post up the model number and someone will tell you if it`s possible.

Ant555 · 21 December 2017 at 4:54PM

If its an HP Stream then the 32Gb is part of the board and cant easily be replaced.

Ive done a quick Google and see that people generally are plugging in external hard drives/memory sticks for extra storage on these which isn;t really ideal for a lap top.

I notice that it has a 'card reader' slot so I wonder if you can simply plug in a 128Gb (£45) or 200Gb (£75) 'MicroSD card'?

force_ten · 21 December 2017 at 7:07PM

I know it is not ideal but you need to buy an external hard drive to give you some storage space, i have a few external hard drives that i store photos on, my daughter has a HP laptop with a solid state drive which is not that big and she has her i tunes library and all her pictures on an external hard drive

https://www.shop.bt.com/products/toshiba-500gb-canvio-basics-usb-3-0-2-5--portable-hard-drive-hdtb305ek3aa-9QTB.html

that sort of thing would be ok plug in to a usb port and use that as your storage

motorguy · 21 December 2017 at 7:55PM

I'd be running with something like this -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Ultra-Fit-Flash-Drive/dp/B01BGTG3JA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1513882471&sr=8-5&keywords=64gb+usb+stick

Better than wallying about plugging in a big external drive all the time.

Freebyman · 21 December 2017 at 9:19PM

Hate to say this but if you buy cheap you buy twice. A proper specced laptop would be your best bet. But if not go with what motorguy suggests.

Janey1a · 21 December 2017 at 9:37PM

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll probably go for a plug in as I'm not techie and dont want to start taking anything apart.

I have Micorsoft One Drive so can store documents etc there instead of it taking up space on the laptop.

Would I be able to uninstall all the printer software and maybe store that on a plug in instead? That way, I'd only have to plug it in when I want to print or scan etc.

Robisere · 22 December 2017 at 12:43AM

I would approach the store you bought from and ask if you can exchange the 32GB laptop for another with a larger hard drive, at least 256 GB.

There is no substitute for carrying out research when buying any such device. Had you looked into buying, based upon what your requirements were, you would not be in this situation. An external hard drive is your best solution.

EveryWhere · 22 December 2017 at 1:24AM

Janey1a wrote: »

I needed a cheap laptop - nothing fancy, not to store photos or anything, just something my son could do do homework on and print/scan with. Bought an HP laptop with 32GB storage - reviews stated it was perfect for homework so I thought it would be sufficient. However, as soon as I loaded the software on to use my printer, it's saying the storage is nearly full. The only other program I have loaded is ITunes for my hubby to use - now I can't even do an update to ITunes as its saying there's not enough room.

I'm not techie at all! Can anyone tell me how I can easily increase storage?
Many thanks.

You've been getting some fairly outlandish replies. :rotfl:

You just need a 32 GB SD card, such as this one; https://www.integralmemory.com/product/ultimapro-x-gold-sdhc-sdxc-c10-uhs-i-u3-memory-card
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Integral-UltimaPro-32GB-Class-Memory/dp/B00CX3J04E

61hHl23kSgL._SX355_.jpg

Don't try to buy anything bigger.

Come back with confirmation of the model number.

The other thing you should do is this
You should do it in the first instance.

pramsay13 · 22 December 2017 at 1:27AM

My laptop has 16GB storage.
It sounds as though your operating system is taking up a lot of the storage space and the few extra things you added filled it.
The easiest way to add extra storage is a usb drive or a memory card.
I have one of these which is tiny, so you can hardly see it when it's plugged in and it can easily be left in.
http://www.picstop.co.uk/usb-flash-drive/sandisk-cruzer-fit-usb-flash-drive-32gb.html
The only issue you might have is trying to install software onto a removable drive.

How do I increase a laptop storage space?

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