How to Fix Windows 10 Upgrade Error Code 0xc0000017

Jean updated on Feb 22, 2023 | Home >Computer Instruction

5 Ways to Fix Error Code 0xc0000017 in Windows 10

One common issue of Windows 10 upgrade/update is "There isn't enough memory available to create a ramdisk device" (error code 0xc0000017). A fresh install is undesirable. Therefore, check the workaround in the following content, and fix Windows 10 upgrade error 0xc0000017 during installation by yourself.

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Copy System Files to Config Download and install WinPE. Enter Windows Preinstallation Environment...Full steps
Fix 2. Clean Up Bad Memory Entries Since the computer is unbootable, you need the help of the recovery drive...Full steps
Fix 3. Disconnect External Devices Disconnect the external devices. Reboot your computer and check...Full steps
Fix 4. Update Motherboard Drivers Download the professional software: EaseUS DriverHandy to scan and update Motherboard drivers...Full steps
Fix 5. Disable Hybrid Graphics Press the power button to turn off the workstation. Press the power button again to turn on...Full steps
Hard Drive Memory Management After Fixing Error 0xc0000017 Bonus tips! How to make full use of your computer hard drive memory...Full steps

Overview - What Is Error Code 0xc0000017

Error code 0xc0000017 stands for STATUS_NO_MEMORY – There are not enough virtual memory or swap file quotas for the specified operation. This error occurs if Windows 10 (or Windows 8.1) is rebooting after installing an update. A blue screen appears with the following message:

  1. Your PC/Device needs to be repaired.
  2. There isn't enough memory available to create a ramdisk device.
  3. Error code: 0xc0000017
  4. You'll need to use recovery tools. If you don’t have any installation media (like a disc or USB device), contact your PC administrator or PC/Device manufacturer.

error code 0xc0000017 - you couldn't start properly

Also Read: How to Fix Error Code 0x80070002 in Windows Update

Scene - Not Enough Memory Available to Create a Ramdisk Device

"Trying to upgrade via Windows Update, and was asked to reboot the computer and then start the upgrade. Did as told. While during the rebooting process, whoops, error 0xc0000017 occurred, displaying a message 'There isn't enough memory available to create a ramdisk device'. In fact, the computer's hard drive has ENOUGH unused disk space available. How to fix the error and finish Windows 10 upgrade?"

Even with plenty of RAM unused, you're still likely to get stuck in Windows 10 upgrade due to insufficient hard drive memory. To put it more accurately, not enough CONTIGUOUS space. What does the error code 0xc0000017 imply then? The problem stems from areas of memory having been marked as bad by Windows built-in Boot Configuration Data (BCD), and this interferes with the Windows 10 installer's ability to make use of RAM as a temporary store for data. Since this is not a practical memory issue, it can be easily resolved by doing as follows.

Resolution - How to Fix Error Code 0xc0000017 (5 Ways)

Here, you are going to learn five ways to fix error code 0xc0000017 due to insufficient RAM, the conflicts of external devices, bad memory blocks, and more. Read on to get more details.

🎯Note: After fixing the error, you can try to manage your hard drive memory with Techradar-Recommended software.

Fix 1. Fix Error 0xc0000017 by Copying System Files 

You could be faced with this error if your system files are lost. If you want to fix error code 0xc0000017, follow the steps below.

Step 1. Download and install WinPE.

Step 2. Enter Windows Preinstallation Environment and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack.

Step 3. Copy the backed up system file to config, then you can boot normally.

Fix 2. Clean Up Bad Memory Entries to Fix Error Code 0xc0000017

Error code 0xc0000017 means not enough memory available to create a ramdisk device. Therefore, you can fix the error code 0xc0000017 in Windows 10 by cleaning up bad memory entries.

Step 1. Because the computer is unbootable, you need the help of a Windows 10 recovery drive or Windows 10 installation disk.

Step 2. Connect the installation disk to your computer.

Step 3. Then click "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt" to continue.

click command prompt in the boot screen

Step 4. Type bcdedit /enum all and press "Enter". A list of all memory locations labeled as "bad" will appear. This list can be removed or deleted.

Step 5. Type bcdedit /deletevalue {badmemory} badmemorylist and hit "Enter". 

Then you can exit and restart your PC and perform the update.

Fix 3. Disconnect External Devices to Fix 0xc0000017 Error

Another easy and quick way to fix error 0xc0000017 is to disconnect external devices. The error code 0xc0000017 may be caused by the conflict of the external devices. 

Step 1. Disconnect the external devices.

Step 2. Reboot your computer and check if you have solved the error

Fix 4. Update Motherboard Drivers to Fix 0xc0000017 Error

Last but not least, you can update motherboard drivers. You can be faced with a 0xc0000017 error if your driver is outdated. You also need a recovery drive or WinPE USB because your computer cannot boot. You can use EaseUS DriverHandy to automatically scan for outdated drivers and update them.

Free Download 

Windows 11/10/8/7100% Secure

Then, follow the steps below to update the motherboard drivers.

Step 1. Open EaseUS DriverHandy and click "Scan".

Step 2. Choose the outdated motherboard drivers and click "Update".

update motherboard drivers

Fix 5. Disable Hybrid Graphics If Error 0xc0000017 Occurs

Hybrid graphics is a concept involving two graphics cards on the same computer. It has been developed to support both high performance and power saving use cases. Some users say they solved error 0xc0000017 after disabling hybrid graphics.

Step 1. Press the power button to turn off the workstation.

Step 2. Press the power button again to turn on the workstation, and then repeatedly press the ESC key to enter the Startup Menu.

Step 3. From the Startup Menu, press the F10 key to enter the BIOS setup utility.

Step 4. Click "Advanced > Device Configurations > Hybrid Graphics", and then click "Disable".

Step 5. Click "Save > Save changes" and exit BIOS.

disable hybrid graphics to fix error 0xc0000017

Hard Drive Memory Management After Fixing Error 0xc0000017

Wish you good luck in solving the problem of 0xc0000017 error during installing Windows 10 and Windows 10 update. Next are bonus tips on how to make full use of your computer hard drive memory by organizing and managing it in a logical way.

Free Download 

Windows 11/10/8/7100% Secure

EaseUS Partition Master, as the best partition software that has been serving in the market for over a decade, is ready to help. You can customize your hard drive volumes with the magic partition software by resizing/moving your partition, merging partitions (by merging two partitions into one is a good way to create a volume with very large space without data loss.), and splitting a partition (split one partition into two or more partitions to support multiple functions. It's a good way to use your computer hard drive memory in different categories). Since the last two ways have been detailed already, the following steps will show you how to resize your partition.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master to check for free space at the Partition Manager section.

  • If your hard drive has unallocated space, jump to Step 3 to create partition.
  • If the hard drive has no unallocated space, continue with Step 2.

Step 2. Shrink a disk partition to create unallocated space.

Right-click on the target drive partition with a lot free space and select "Resize/Move".

decrease partition step 1

Drag either end of the partition rightwards or leftwards to shrink the partition size so as to get ample unallocated space. You can visually know how much space you've decreased in the "Partition size" area. Click "OK".

decrease partition step 2

Click "Execute xx Task" and then "Apply" to save all the changes.

decrease partition step 3

Go back to Partition Manager, there should be unallocated space appearing on the same disk and you can continue with the next step to create new partition on your hard drive.

Step 3. Create a new partition with unallocated space on the target hard drive.

 Right-click on the unallocated space and choose "Create".

create partition step 1

Customize the partiton size, partition drive letter, partition label, file system (NTFS, FAT32, EXT2/3/4, exFAT) and more in the Advanced Settings. Click "OK".

create partition step 2

Finally, click "Execute * Task" and "Apply" to complete creating partition with the unallocated space on your disk. Repeat the steps to partition a hard drive and get many more partitions.

create partition step 3

Conclusion

This post has introduced 5 ways to fix error code 0xc0000017. You can try any one of them to fix the error. If you want to partition a hard drive or change the file system, you can always run EaseUS Partition Master.

Free Download 

Windows 11/10/8/7100% Secure

Error Code 0xc0000017 Related Questions

If you still have problems, you can read these questions and answers.

How do I fix error code 0xc0000017?

To fix 0xc0000017:

  • Fix 1. Fix Error 0xc0000017 by Copying System Files 
  • Fix 2. Clean Up Bad Memory Entries
  • Fix 3. Disconnect External Devices
  • Fix 4. Update Motherboard Drivers
  • Fix 5. Disable Hybrid Graphics

What is error 0x8007139f?

Windows Update error 0x8007139f usually appears after some failed Windows updates or bugs during the update downloading/installing process. Such a problem might also occur because there are some corrupted system components or software that have been provoking the error code to appear on your computer screen.

How do I fix error code 0x8007139f?

To fix Windows update error:

  • Check your antivirus
  • Run Windows Update troubleshooter
  • Run SFC and DISM scans
  • Create a new user account
  • Reset Windows Update components
  • Perform a System Restore
  • Try to install the update manually
  • Perform an in-place upgrade

What is error code 0xc00000e9?

Windows error code 0xc00000e9 is a common Windows Boot Manager error that indicates either a hardware failure or a corrupted system file encountered during the boot process.

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Updated by Daisy

Daisy is the Senior editor of the writing team for EaseUS. She has been working in EaseUS for over ten years, starting from a technical writer to a team leader of the content group. As a professional author for over 10 years, she writes a lot to help people overcome their tech troubles.

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Written by Jean

Jean has been writing tech articles since she was graduated from university. She has been part of the EaseUS team for over 5 years. Her special focuses are data recovery, disk partitioning, data space optimization, data backup and Mac OS. By the way, she's an aviation fan!

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