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Windows 11 failed to install and got error code 0x80070070

GN 45 Reputation points
2025-11-10T17:19:28.0066667+00:00

Second time of trying to upgrade to Windows 11. Failed to install the first time and got an error code 0xc1900103. Tried again and got a different error code 0x80070070. How do I fix this? Thanks

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

Answer accepted by question author

Restee Miranda 14,040 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-11-10T17:54:47.86+00:00

Those two error codes mean different things, but we can fix them both so you can upgrade to Windows 11. Error 0x80070070 is likely a not enough space issue, and 0xc1900103 usually means a driver or compatibility problem.

Fixing 0x80070070 (Not Enough Disk Space)

This means your C: drive or System Reserved section doesn't have space for the update.

  • Run Disk Cleanup: Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, and hit Enter. Clean up system files and delete old Windows installs and temp files.
  • Remove Old Programs: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and get rid of stuff you don't use.
  • Use Storage Sense: In Settings > System > Storage, turn on Storage Sense to auto-delete junk.
  • Get More Space: Aim for at least 30 GB free on your C: drive to be safe.
  • External Drive: If you can't free up enough space, use a USB drive with 10GB+ free when you update. Windows Update should give you this option if you're low on space.

Fixing 0xC1900103 (Driver/Compatibility Issues)

This usually means a driver is messing things up.

  • Update Drivers: Press Win + X, select Device Manager. Update your Display and Network adapter drivers.
  • Unplug Extras: Unplug printers, external drives, etc. Just keep your keyboard, mouse, and power cable plugged in.
  • Update BIOS: Go to your computer maker's site (HP, Dell, etc.) and grab the newest BIOS update for your model.
  • Turn Off Antivirus: Turn off any non-Microsoft antivirus stuff temporarily and let Windows Defender do its thing during the update.

Other Things to Try

  • Run System File Checker and DISM: Open Command Prompt as admin (search cmd, right-click, Run as administrator). Type sfc /scannow then hit Enter. After that, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and hit Enter. Restart after they're done.
  • Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Media Creation Tool: Get these from Microsoft's site instead of using Windows Update.
  • Run SetupDiag: If it still fails, run the SetupDiag tool from Microsoft to check the setup log files for details.

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Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2025-11-10T17:19:44.39+00:00

The error code 0x80070070 indicates that there is not enough space on the disk to complete the installation of Windows 11. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:

  1. Free Up Disk Space:
    • Delete unnecessary files and applications to free up space on your drive.
    • Empty the Recycle Bin and use the Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files and system junk.
  2. Check Disk Space:
    • Ensure that your primary drive (usually C:) has sufficient free space. Windows 11 requires a significant amount of space for installation, so aim for at least 20 GB of free space.
  3. Use Storage Sense:
    • Enable Storage Sense in Windows settings to automatically free up space by removing files you don’t need.
  4. Move Files:
    • Consider moving large files (like videos or photos) to an external drive or cloud storage to create more space.
  5. Check for Other Issues:
    • If you continue to face issues, ensure that your system meets all the requirements for Windows 11, including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot settings.

Following these steps should help you resolve the installation issue related to the error code 0x80070070.

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  1. GN 45 Reputation points
    2025-11-11T07:14:07.89+00:00

    Windows 11 successfully installed. Created storage space and updated drivers as advised. Thank you

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