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Solved: Please Insert The External Storage Media and Press OK
Ensure the external storage device is not corrupted
4 min. read
Updated onJanuary 8, 2024
updated onJanuary 8, 2024
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Key notes
If you have encountered thePlease insert the external storage media and press OKmessage while reinstalling or updating Windows, this guide can help!
What causes the Please insert the external storage media and press OK error? It could occur due to insufficient space on your hard drive or if your computer can’t access the SD card after it restarts itself.
How can I fix Please insert the external storage media and press OK?
Before proceeding with any steps to fix the problem, go through the following preliminary checks:
1. Reconnect your external media device
If you are using an SD card to store Windows update files, follow these steps:
In case you don’t have a USB card reader, you can copy the files from an SD card to a flash drive and insert it into your computer.
If you are using any other external storage device, you can try removing it, then connecting it again, then press OK on the error and try to install updates. Also, check if the SD card or external storage device you are using is not corrupted.
2. Perform the system restore
First, you need tocreate a Windows 11 bootable USBon a different computer. Once done, follow these steps to change the boot order:
If yourWindows computer is ignoring the boot order, then check if the disk is bootable or ensure it is not corrupted; read this guide to learn more.
Now, follow these steps to repair your computer to fix the issue:
In caseStartup Repair is not workingfor you, it could be due to broken or corrupted system files; you can try the methods mentioned in this guide.
If nothing has worked for you, you need to back up your data andreinstall your Windows operating systemto fix the issue once and for all.
In conclusion, to avoid suchUpdate errors, you must always clean your disk and ensure there is sufficient space on your computer before installing updates.
Did we miss a step that helped you resolve this problem? Don’t hesitate to mention it in the comments section below. We will happily add it to the list.
More about the topics:Windows 11
Srishti Sisodia
Windows Software Expert
Srishti Sisodia is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. She has extensive experience exploring the latest technological advancements and sharing her insights through informative blogs.
Her diverse interests bring a unique perspective to her work, and she approaches everything with commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. That’s why she’s part of Windows Report’s Reviewers team, always willing to share the real-life experience with any software or hardware product. She’s also specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.
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Srishti Sisodia
Windows Software Expert
She is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. Srishti is specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.
