There Is Insufficient Disk Space to Complete Operation
By Timothy Tibbetts |
"Error Copying File or Folder – There is insufficient disk space to complete operation" is an error that happens typically when copying files or folders and can occur for several reasons. Here are the steps you can try.
1: Reboot or Try Safe Mode
A quick reboot might work if you think there's enough drive space. Also, booting into Safe Mode might disable some applications that are interfering with the copying process.
2: Free up Disk Space
One obvious solution is that you are running low on drive space. Consider uninstalling apps you don't use anymore and backing up files and folders (photos are almost always a culprit) to another drive.
The best way to free up space is to get rid of junk files. While there are numerous choices here, Wise Disk Cleaner and Privazer remove more junk than most and would be our choice. While some people might recommend Storage Sense or CCleaner, they aren't good enough for this problem.
3: External Drives
If your error is coming from an external drive, right-click the drive in File Explorer and select Format the drive as NTFS assuming the drive is empty.
4: Replace the Normal.Dot Template
Problems with the normal.dot template is another issue with the insufficient disk space error assuming you use Microsoft Office.
You need to have Hidden items enabled.
You can search for the file or go to C:UsersUSER NAMEAppDataRoamingMicrosoftTemplates and rename normal.dot to normal.old.
Reboot and Windows will replace the missing file.
Similar:
Best Drive Cleaner? CCleaner VS Wise Disk Cleaner VS PrivaZer
How to Use Storage Sense to Delete Junk Files in Windows 10 Automatically
Remove Windows 10, 8 and 8.1 Built-In Apps Using PowerShell
Hard Drive Shows Wrong Free Space
How to Securely Delete Files in Windows 10 With PowerShell and Cipher
1: Reboot or Try Safe Mode
A quick reboot might work if you think there's enough drive space. Also, booting into Safe Mode might disable some applications that are interfering with the copying process.
2: Free up Disk Space
One obvious solution is that you are running low on drive space. Consider uninstalling apps you don't use anymore and backing up files and folders (photos are almost always a culprit) to another drive.
The best way to free up space is to get rid of junk files. While there are numerous choices here, Wise Disk Cleaner and Privazer remove more junk than most and would be our choice. While some people might recommend Storage Sense or CCleaner, they aren't good enough for this problem.
3: External Drives
If your error is coming from an external drive, right-click the drive in File Explorer and select Format the drive as NTFS assuming the drive is empty.
4: Replace the Normal.Dot Template
Problems with the normal.dot template is another issue with the insufficient disk space error assuming you use Microsoft Office.
You need to have Hidden items enabled.
You can search for the file or go to C:UsersUSER NAMEAppDataRoamingMicrosoftTemplates and rename normal.dot to normal.old.
Reboot and Windows will replace the missing file.
Similar:
Best Drive Cleaner? CCleaner VS Wise Disk Cleaner VS PrivaZer
How to Use Storage Sense to Delete Junk Files in Windows 10 Automatically
Remove Windows 10, 8 and 8.1 Built-In Apps Using PowerShell
Hard Drive Shows Wrong Free Space
How to Securely Delete Files in Windows 10 With PowerShell and Cipher
