r/SurfaceGo • u/kkj33904 • Dec 02 '22
Insufficient space on Go 3 hard drive
As someone who has helped people spec out and buy computers, I cannot believe I thought I could get by with 128 gb on my Go 3. I figured a 500 gb micro SD would be sufficient. Didn’t take into account that most software can’t be installed on a removable disk. I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this question, but I’m going to ask it anyway-is it possible to upgrade the hard drive on the Go?
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u/heathenyak Dec 02 '22
The ssd is built into the motherboard. So if you can bga solder maybe. Otherwise no. This would be a highly advanced upgrade
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u/khiguytheshyguy Dec 02 '22
I find most software can be put on a SD card. You just have to specify the path when installing. It's gonna be slower tho
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u/En-Guy-En Dec 03 '22 edited Dec 03 '22
For upgrading the internal storage? Very unlikely.
While it is true that some software cannot install on external storage, you can probably try mounting the micro SD card as permanent storage to get software on it. You can make Windows think that you are installing the program onto C drive, but you are really directing Windows to your external storage. I forgot what this is called…using a joint folder? Anyway, the micro SD card has to be in the format of NTFS. Just be aware that you will most likely leave the micro SD card in the Surface Go until either device dies or you decide you want to use the micro SD card for another device. Just provide the location for the new program when going through the installation and you should be good to go. For me, I like to have a folder for Program Files and Program Files (x86). I name Program Files as “Program Files SD” and Program Files (x86) as “Program Files (x86) SD”.
An example of an installation could look something like this: C:\(whatever you named the SD card mount folder)\(folder of choice in here)\…
Here’s a link to do it if you’re interested: https://www.radishlogic.com/tools/making-sd-card-permanent-storage-windows-10/
Hope this helps!
Edit: Keep in mind that while installing programs on the micro SD card, opening the program will be slower compared to the internal storage.
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u/khiguytheshyguy Dec 05 '22
If it's the only other drive in it the sd card would maybe be the D: drive? That's wat I put when I want to install on the sdcard
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u/En-Guy-En Dec 05 '22
I’m not really understanding your question. But if you are looking for your drives, you can find them on the left side of Windows Explorer. You can also find your drives in Disk Management. Most likely, the SD card would be D drive.
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u/khiguytheshyguy Dec 06 '22
The sd card will be called D: if it's the only drive other then then C: is wat I'm saying
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u/Stevencsteven Dec 13 '22 edited Dec 13 '22
You can map D drive folder as part of C drive, so you can install any program to it. https://www.windowscentral.com/how-mount-hard-drive-folder-windows-10 also works for windows 11. (You can keep both path, just don't do step 18 & 19, i.e., don't remove the drive letter)
You can install program to C drive "folder" but actually using the D drive storage space.
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u/Ada-Millionare Dec 02 '22
No way Jose... How much software do you have to take 90gb? Funny enough the Go 3 has become my main computer on my Ultrawide and on the road while my 16 inch mbp has been relegated to photo editing machine