Windows Update Error 0x8007000E — Fix Guide

What Does This Error Mean?

Windows Update error 0x8007000E means the system ran out of memory while trying to install an update. 0x8007000E translates to 'not enough storage is available to complete this operation'. This usually means your PC is low on RAM or virtual memory, not hard drive space.

Affected Models

Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 8.1

Common Causes

The PC has very little RAM (4 GB or less) and other programs are using most of it
Too many programs are running in the background, leaving no room for Windows Update
The Windows page file (virtual memory) is set too small or disabled
The Windows Update process itself has a memory leak
Corrupt update metadata is causing the update service to use excessive memory

How to Fix It

Close all open programs before running Windows Update. Restart your PC, wait for startup to settle, and immediately run Windows Update before opening anything else.

This frees up as much RAM as possible for the update process. Keeping browsers and other apps closed is especially important on PCs with 4 GB RAM or less.
Check how much free RAM you have. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the Performance tab, and look at the Memory section. If 'Available' is less than 500 MB, RAM is the problem.

If your PC constantly runs low on RAM, consider upgrading. 8 GB is now the practical minimum for smooth Windows 10/11 operation.
Increase your virtual memory (page file). Right-click This PC > Properties > Advanced system settings > Performance Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory > Change. Set it to at least 1.5x your RAM amount.

Virtual memory uses hard drive space as a slow substitute for RAM. Increasing it gives Windows Update more room to work.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run.

The troubleshooter can detect and fix memory-related issues in the update service itself.
Reset Windows Update components. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: 'net stop wuauserv', 'net stop bits', delete C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download contents, then 'net start wuauserv', 'net start bits'.

A fresh update cache uses less memory than a large, corrupted one. Clearing it often resolves memory-related update failures.

When to Call a Professional

If your PC has only 4 GB of RAM and you cannot upgrade it, a technician may be able to optimize your system. Upgrading RAM is often inexpensive and dramatically improves Windows Update reliability. A technician can confirm whether your PC's RAM is upgradeable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much RAM does Windows Update need?

Windows Update typically needs 500 MB to 1 GB of free RAM to run smoothly. On a PC with only 4 GB total RAM, Windows itself uses 2–3 GB, leaving little room. Upgrading to 8 GB RAM is the most effective long-term solution for PCs that struggle with updates.

Does disk space affect this error?

Sometimes. While this error primarily refers to RAM, Windows Update also needs free disk space. Make sure you have at least 10–20 GB free on your C: drive. Go to Settings > System > Storage to check your free space.

Can I install updates in Safe Mode to avoid this error?

Safe Mode loads fewer background processes, freeing up RAM. However, Windows Update is often disabled in Safe Mode. A better approach is to restart, immediately open Windows Update before anything else launches, and try installing updates right away.