Updater not enough space to unpack workaround

[FalcoGer]

I have a 250GB M.2 SSD, completely for DCS world. Not all of that data is useful to have on the SSD. With today's update I finally ran out of space. Technically I had just enough space for the update, but downloading and unpacking happens on the SSD as well and that pushed it over the limit by a few kB.

To solve this I used the directory junction feature of the NTFS file system, which allows to create a softlink. Basically whenever windows accesses the soft link it thinks it is a normal directory, but in reality it is on a completely different drive.

To create a soft link, find a suitable drive to put the real directory on

Open cmd.exe (powershell doesn't work for some reason)
Run

REM Foxes are great. You should love them.
mkdir C:\path\to\somewhere\with\lots\of\space\dcs_temp_downloads
mklink /J D:\path\to\DCS\_downloads C:\path\to\somewhere\with\lots\of\space\dcs_temp_downloads

Repeat for Doc or any other directory that doesn't require fast loading and is big.

If there are spaces in your paths, put the path into quote marks.

This effectively allows you to split your DCS install over mutliple hard drives.

Edited April 28, 2022 by FalcoGer

[LooseSeal]

I'll have to try this next time. I ended up uninstalling the Marianas and half a dozen modules when the AH-64 came out because I couldn't update (despite having something like 80gb free!). So frustrating.

[Shadok]

I have the same space problem on my harddrive. But to have the mklink fonction working I had to:

- remove the "_downloads" folder from "E:\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\_downloads"

- create a "_downloads" folder on a harddrive where i have space (F).

- open cmd.exe in admin mod.

-and then: mklink /J "E:\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\_downloads" F:\_downloads

note: I use windows 10

Edited April 28, 2022 by Shadok

[draconus]

Error. What to do?

[FalcoGer]

3 hours ago, draconus said:

Error. What to do?

Tough luck. You didn't love them enough. You will have a horrible life and deserve every second of it.

[rkracht01]

Can't update DCS to ver. 2.9.5 or above so that i can then download F-4E.  I receive the error message that there is not enough disk space.  The workaround noted above is way beyond my abilities unless it is presented so an infant can understand.  Need help.

 

Thanks

[draconus]

4 hours ago, rkracht01 said:

I receive the error message that there is not enough disk space.

Message is self explanatory. Do you have other disk in the system with more space available?

[rkracht01]

Yes i do.  Its my D drive.  Plenty of space there but do not know what the process would be.  Do i need to create a folder on the D drive for DCS, just for DCS updates.  Need guidance.  

[draconus]

3 hours ago, rkracht01 said:

Yes i do.  Its my D drive.  Plenty of space there but do not know what the process would be.  Do i need to create a folder on the D drive for DCS, just for DCS updates.  Need guidance.  

or OP instructions.

Edited August 8, 2024 by draconus