How Can You Instantly Solve the “Not Enough Space” Error When Moving Files in Windows?

Why Am I Facing the Frustrating “Not Enough Space” Error on Windows? (Proven Fixes Inside!)

Encountering the “1 Interrupted Action: There Is Not Enough Space” error in Windows can be both confusing and disruptive, especially when you know there’s plenty of space on your drives. This issue often arises during file transfers from a local drive or OneDrive to an external device, such as a USB or external hard drive.

Why Does This Error Happen?

Several underlying factors can trigger this error-even when your drives appear to have sufficient space:

Windows File Caching

Windows temporarily caches files on the original drive before transferring them. If there isn’t enough free space to accommodate this cache, the transfer fails.

File System Limitations

Drives formatted as FAT32 or FAT16 cannot store single files larger than 4 GB or 2 GB, respectively. Attempting to move larger files results in the error, regardless of available space.

OneDrive Sync Issues

Moving files directly from OneDrive can sometimes lead to space calculation errors or sync conflicts.

Four Reliable Solutions to Fix the Error

Follow these actionable steps to resolve the “Not Enough Space” error and ensure smooth file transfers:

Solution 1: Check Available Disk Space

Verify free space on both the source and target drives. If space is low, delete unnecessary files or use disk cleanup tools to free up storage.

Solution 2: Move Files in Smaller Batches

Instead of transferring all files at once, move one or two files at a time. This reduces the caching load and helps avoid space-related interruptions.

Solution 3: Change OneDrive Folder Location

If the error occurs while transferring from OneDrive, try the following:

1. Click the OneDrive icon in your system tray.
2. Open “Settings” via the gear icon.
3. Under “Account,” select “Unlink this PC.”
4. Restart your computer.
5. Move your files to the external drive.
6. Reconnect OneDrive, choose “Change location,” and select a new folder location for syncing.

Solution 4: Convert FAT32/FAT16 to NTFS or exFAT

FAT32 and FAT16 have strict file size limits. Converting your drive to NTFS or exFAT removes these restrictions. Backup your data, then reformat or convert the drive using Windows tools.

Key Takeaways

• Always ensure both source and destination drives have ample free space.
• Transfer large files in smaller groups to avoid caching issues.
• Update your external drive’s file system to NTFS or exFAT for modern file size support.
• Adjust OneDrive settings if cloud sync is causing transfer problems.

By following these proven strategies, you can confidently resolve the “Not Enough Space” error and prevent future disruptions during file transfers.