8 Ways to Fix: Steam Not Enough Disk Space Error on Windows 11/10

Quick Answer: Can You Fix the Steam Disk Space Error?

User Case from Reddit:

"I'm trying to update a game on Steam (Cyberpunk 2077). The update is only 2GB. My C: drive has 45GB of free space. However, every time I hit update, it pauses and gives me a 'Steam not enough disk space' error. I’ve deleted temp files, but nothing works. Why does Steam say not enough disk space, but I have space? Help!"

Answer: Yes, absolutely. The "not enough free disk space Steam" error is one of the most common issues gamers face, often caused by Steam's unique patching method (which requires duplicating files), corrupted download caches, or a genuine lack of partition space.

You do not need to uninstall your favorite games immediately. Below is a quick navigation to the solutions provided in this guide, ranging from professional partition management to manual troubleshooting.

Quick Access to Solutions to Fix Steam Disk Space Not Enough

Comparison: Why is Steam Out of Space?

Before jumping into the fixes, use this table to identify your specific scenario.

Symptom	Likely Cause	Recommended Fix
Space is actually full (Red bar in Explorer)	Partition capacity is reached.	Use AOMEI Partition Software to move free space from another drive.
Plenty of space available (Blue bar in Explorer)	Corrupt Download Cache or "Delta Patching" requirements.	Clear Download Cache or Verify Integrity.
Error during specific update	Preallocation failure or write permission error.	Run as Administrator to Check Disk.

 How to Extend Steam Drive via AOMEI Partition Software (Recommended)

If your drive is actually running low on space, or if Steam's unpacking process demands more room than your current partition allows, the most effective solution is to resize your partition. When the "Steam not enough disk space" error occurs because your C: drive or Game drive is genuinely full, deleting files is only a temporary bandage. The professional solution is to reallocate unused space from other partitions to your Steam drive.

We recommend using AOMEI Partition Software. Unlike the native Windows Disk Management tool—which requires you to delete a partition before extending another—AOMEI allows you to "borrow" free space from one drive to another directly without data loss. It is a robust Windows computer management software designed to handle complex partition operations safely.

Here is how to use this tool to solve the "not enough disk space for Steam" issue permanently.

Method 1. Resize the Partition Space on Steam Disk Without Deleting Data

If you have unallocated space on your disk or want to shrink a neighboring partition to give space to Steam, this method is ideal.

Step 1. Install and Launch: Download and open AOMEI Partition Software. You will see a map of your current disk layout.

Step 2. Select the Partition: Locate the partition where Steam is installed (usually C: or D:). Right-click it and select "Resize/Move Partition".

Step 3. Drag to Resize: In the pop-up window, place your mouse pointer on the border of the partition and drag it rightward to add unallocated space to the partition.

Note: If there is no unallocated space next to it, you can first resize a neighbor partition to create space.

Step 4. Apply Changes: Click "OK" and then hit "Apply" in the top left corner of the main interface. The software will execute the operation, often without needing a reboot.

Method 2. Move Free Space from Other Drive to Steam Drive

This is the "killer feature" for fixing Steam not having enough free disk space. If your Steam drive (C:) is full, but your Data drive (D:) has 100GB empty, you can transfer that empty space directly.

Step 1. Choose the Source Drive: Open AOMEI Partition Software. Right-click the partition that has plenty of free space (e.g., Drive D:) and select "Allocate Free Space".

Step 2. Set the Amount: A window will appear. Type in the amount of space you want to move (e.g., 50GB).

Step 3. Select the Destination: In the "From [D] to [Partition]" drop-down menu, select your Steam drive (e.g., Drive C:).

Step 4. Execute: Click "OK". You will see a preview of the new size. Click "Apply" and "Proceed" to commit the pending operation.

Bonus Tip: AOMEI Partition Assistant also includes an "App Mover" feature. If resizing isn't enough, you can use this tool to move installed Steam games to a different drive (like an external SSD) without breaking the game paths or reinstalling.

 How to Fix Steam Not Enough Disk Space Error (6 Manual Fixes)

If you have plenty of space but still see the error, the issue is likely a software glitch or a file system error. Try these troubleshooting steps.

If your hard drive has hundreds of gigabytes free, but you are facing the "Steam not enough disk space, but I have space" scenario, the problem usually lies in how Steam manages temporary files or communicates with Windows.

Fix 1. Reboot PC and Steam

Sometimes, pending Windows updates or a stuck Steam background process can lock your file system, causing a false disk space error.

Step 1. Close Steam completely. Check the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to ensure no Steam.exe processes are running.

Step 2. Click the Start button and select Restart.

Once back in Windows, launch Steam and attempt the download again. This clears temporary paging files that might have confused the disk check.

Fix 2. Verify the Integrity of Steam Game Files

If a specific game file is corrupted, Steam may miscalculate the space needed to patch it, triggering the "not enough free disk space" alert.

Step 1. Open your Steam Library. Right-click the game giving you the error and select Properties.

Step 2. Navigate to the Installed Files tab.

Step 3. Click the button that says "Verify integrity of game files".

Steam will compare your local files with the server. If it finds a mismatch, it will redownload only the broken files, often bypassing the space error.

Fix 3. Clear Steam Download Cache

This is the most common fix for the "Steam says not enough disk space, but I have space" glitch. Steam stores temporary download data that can become corrupted or "ghosted," occupying space that Steam thinks is full.

Step 1. Open Steam and go to Settings (top left corner > Steam > Settings). Select the Downloads tab.

Step 2. Look for the "Clear Download Cache" button and click it.

Step 3. Steam will ask for confirmation and warn you that you will need to log in again. Click Confirm.

After logging back in, try the download again. This forces Steam to recalculate the actual available space.

Fix 4. Run Steam in Administrator Mode

Sometimes, Windows restricts Steam from writing to certain sectors of the hard drive due to permission conflicts, resulting in a generic "disk space" or "write error" message.

Step 1. Close Steam. Right-click the Steam shortcut on your desktop or start menu.

Step 2. Select "Run as administrator".

Step 3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.

Attempt to update your game. If this works, you may need to adjust the folder permissions for your SteamLibrary folder permanently.

Fix 5. Check Hard Drive Error (CHKDSK)

If your hard drive has physical bad sectors or file system errors, Windows may report incorrect free space to Steam.

Step 1. Press Win + S and type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 2. Type the following command (replace C: with your Steam drive letter if different): chkdsk C: /f /r

Step 3. Press Enter. If the target is your system drive, you will be asked to schedule the scan for the next restart. Type Y and restart your PC.

This tool will identify and mark bad sectors so Steam won't try to write data to damaged parts of your disk.

Fix 6. Run Disk Cleanup

If your drive is full of temporary internet files, system logs, or old Windows update files, you can free up space without third-party tools.

Step 1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer. Right-click your Steam drive (C:) and select Properties.

Step 2. Click the Disk Cleanup button.

Step 3. Click "Clean up system files" to find hidden bulk (like old Windows installations).

Step 4. Check the boxes for "Temporary files," "Recycle Bin," and "Windows Update Cleanup."

Step 5. Click OK to delete them. This can often recover 5GB to 10GB of space, potentially resolving the "Steam not enough disk space" error.

Why Steam Updates Use More Space Than You Think? (The "Delta" Issue)

Understanding the mechanics of Steam patching can save you frustration in the future.

Many users ask, "Why does a 2GB update require 40GB of free space?" This is due to Steam's Delta Patching system. When Steam updates a large game (like Baldur's Gate 3 or Apex Legends), it doesn't just paste the new files. Instead, it:

• Copies the existing large game archive files (often 50GB+).
• Unpacks them.
• Applies the small 2GB patch.
• Repacks the file.
• Deletes the old copy.

During this process, Steam requires free space equal to the total size of the game's packed files, not just the update size. This is why tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant are essential—they allow you to quickly expand your partition to accommodate this temporary "bloat" during updates.

Ending

The "Steam not enough disk space" error is a frustrating hurdle, but it is rarely a dead end. Whether the issue is a simple software glitch manageable by clearing the cache or a genuine storage limitation requiring partition management, the solutions above cover every angle.

For a quick, manual fix, start by clearing your download cache and verifying game files. However, if you find yourself constantly juggling games to make room for updates, the permanent solution is to optimize your storage. Using AOMEI Partition Software to "Allocate Free Space" from a data drive to your Steam drive is the safest, most efficient way to ensure you never face this error again in 2026.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Steam Disk Space

Q1: Why does Steam say "not enough disk space" when I have 50GB free and the update is only 500MB?

A: This is likely due to "preallocation." Steam checks for enough space to unpack the existing game files to apply the patch, not just the patch size itself. Additionally, a corrupt download cache can report incorrect space usage. Clearing the cache usually fixes the reporting error.

Q2: Can I install Steam games on a USB flash drive to save space?

A: Technically, yes, but it is not recommended. Most USB flash drives have slow read/write speeds, which will cause long loading times and potential texture popping in games. It is better to use an external SSD or extend your internal partition using AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Q3: Does deleting the "downloading" folder in Steam fix the disk space error?

A: Yes, manually deleting the contents of C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\downloading can fix the error if a download file is corrupted. However, make sure Steam is completely closed before doing this. When you restart Steam, the download will restart from the beginning.

Q4: Will resizing my partition delete my games?

A: If you use Windows Disk Management, you might have to delete a partition to create space. However, if you use professional software like AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can resize and merge partitions without deleting any data or games.

Q5: What is the "Reserve Space" feature in Windows, and does it affect Steam?

A: Windows 10 and 11 reserve about 7GB of storage for system updates. This space is invisible to the user but subtracts from your total "Free Space." If your drive is nearly full, this reserved storage might be the reason Steam thinks you are out of space.