Is it safe to delete the softwaredistribution folder in windows 7

The software distribution folder in windows 108 7 is situated in the c. Theres never a good reason to manipulate or delete files andor folders in there, unless you really have an issue with windows update. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows 108 7 on your pc, theres a folder called software distribution that stores temporary files during windows updates. How to reduce the size of your winsxs folder on windows 7 or 8. Jun 26, 2018 scroll down and look for softwaredistribution folder then rightclick it and then select delete. On my computer is size is around 1 mb, but its size. If you only want to remove cached updates, do not delete it, and utilize one of the methods below. There is a negative side when you delete your software distribution folder, though. You should be able to delete the folder by booting into safe mode and simply renaming the folder. In windows 7 and windows 810, there is a new folder under c. The software distribution folder in windows 108 7 is located in the following location in file explorer. Often times in our environment, c drives run into space issues and the c. Sometimes you need to empty its contents when your systems datastore and the download folder have got desynchronized because it results in your windows updates not working properly. Choose all file in softwaredistribution folder, right click on it and press delete.

The file is located under the softwaredistribution folder c. Nov 12, 2016 the only folder in there where you should delete things is the download folder and then only if having update issues. Now you are free to delete all update files or clean the folder at all. Can i delete cbspersist logs safely, your opinion please. If you only want to remove cached updates, do not delete it. When deep cleaning windows to recover disk space, performing a softwaredistribution folder cleanup is one task that may help. On windows 10, the softwaredistribution folder is an essential component for windows update, which temporarily stores files needed to install new updates to keep your device secure and with the.

Windows\softwaredistribution folder cleanup automation. Rename or delete software distribution folder in windows 10. When windows installs updates, it drops the new windows component in the winsxs folder and keeps the old component in the winsxs folder. Trying to save space by deleting critical microsoft files is a lost cause. The only truly supported way is to use disk cleanup, incorporated in every windowsclient version vista, win7, win8. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10 and. How to rename or delete software distribution folder on.

Each of these folders are taking up around 7 8,5 gb of space, at a total of 23,3 gb. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows. Microsoft windows operating system use softwaredistribution folder to download and manage the updates applicable to your os and applications. Type in net stop wuauserv without the quotes and press enter. Solved wsus software distribution folder wont delete. We have always done this in the past to get a fresh copy of updates to get them working again. Delete or rename software distribution folder on windows.

Alternatively, you can also try to boot windows 10 into safe mode, and. The temporary update files go to the softwaredistribution folder, in the download folder, sometimes this folder needs a cleanup. Can i safely delete the \windows\softwaredistribution folder. It is used to temporarily store files that may be needed to install windows update on your computer. Is it safe to delete files under microsoft community. How to address disk space issues that are caused by a. Nov 04, 2016 while you do not want to touch this folder under normal conditions, you may need to empty its contents should you find that your systems datastore and the download folder have got desynchronized, resulting in your windows updates not working pro. Windowssoftwaredistributiondownloads is it safe to. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is located in the following location in file explorer. The softwaredistribution folder is where automatic updates and related files are being stored. The software distribution folder in windows 108 7 is situated in the following location in file explorer. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows 1087 on your pc, theres a folder called software distribution that stores temporary files during windows updates.

So if you complete the procedure below, expect wu to take a lot of time the next time it needs to install an automatic update because it will need. Here is a relatively simple solution to the problem. The winsxs folder contains every operating system file. Select all the files and folders inside the softwaredistribution folder. How to clean out cached windows updates black manticore. Mar 22, 2019 windows xp systems have typically been around longer than windows 7 systems and so they will have larger softwaredistribution folders 3 sps instead of 1 for windows 7 and numerous other updates. It is a command line utility that allows you to delete one or multiple files, directories, and cleanse the free space on a logical disk.

Go back to services window, then rightclick windows update and then select start. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is located in the following. This applies to current versions of microsoft windows, i. Mar 11, 2020 yes, it is safe to delete, but the next time when windows checks for updates, it will basically start from scratch and check everything. Some users are worried about removing the softwaredistribution folder.

Mar 05, 2018 how to delete softwaredistribution folder in windows 10. How to safely delete unwanted files from my windows folder. If your os doesnt allow you to perform the operation, try to use unlocker utility or other thirdparty tools. The software distribution folder in the windows operating system is a folder in the windows directory. Try locating your own data which you can back off to an external device and save space that way.

How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows 10. Windows installer folder is it safe to delete some laptops that may only be a few years old could have relatively small hard drives and free drive space is at a premium. You can delete the softwaredistribution folder, the contents of the eventcache folder, and the. How to permanently delete files in windows 7 with sdelete to ensure that windows 7 deleted files are safe from being recovered, microsoft developed sdelete. Mar 19, 2018 we are looking for a way to to clear the softwaredistribution folder under the windows folder to redownload updates. Mar 05, 2018 softwaredistribution folder holds a very critical place in microsoft windows operation especially when it comes to updating the windows components. Want to reduce winsxs folder size posted in windows 7. Id love to clear this space, as its a lot when im running a 128. If you need to delete or rename this folder, this post offered by minitool. I prefer download the update from windows update catalog.

Softwaredistribution folder delete in windows tek eye. Verify that the new software distribution folder created when you restart the update service is approxiamtely. How to delete windows update files windows 7 10 get it. What if i accidentally delete software distribution folder in. This means that every windows update you install increases the size of your winsxs folder. Usually, if youre having trouble with windows update, or after updates have been applied, its safe to empty the content of the. Under typical situations, you should leave this folder alone. This folder is maintained by the wuagent windows update agent, and typically.

Now locate softwaredistribution right click on it and select rename. How to delete or rename software distribution folder on. I think this, coupling with the fact that ive tried to do a lot of fixes to make windows update work, have made my softwaredistribution folders cluttered. This folder usually contains windows installation files which are required during the windows update process. Sep 19, 2019 actually, its safe to delete files found in the software distribution folder, so long as it has already done its job with windows update. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows. The softwaredistribution folder is where automatic updates are stored. Feb 21, 2019 since the win10 anniversary update, i have a duplicate softwaredistribution folder on my b drive which is where i store all my files. Is it safe to delete the sub folders in software distribution. Cleanup of software distribution folder alt it consulting. Blexs simple sevenstep guide to deleting the useless. Since the the new windows 10 updates the folder is still stuck in use. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows 1087. Delete softwaredistribution folderfix windows update.

The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is situated in the following location in file explorer. After you have installed all the pending updates, it is safe to delete all the files and folder under c. Open the command prompt as administrator, then run the following commands to restart the. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is situated in the following location in file. Delete softwaredistribution folderfix windows update error. That said, were geeks, so lets do it the hard way by renaming. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows 10 pc. There are mixed views across the board about deleting this folder, but my view is that if you stop automatic updates, delete the folder then restart automatic updates that works and has worked many time before for me. Oct 22, 2006 i downloaded some windows updates by accident. Delete windows update files in windows 7 from cmd or windows. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10.

If you delete this folder, it will automatically be recreated next time windows updates check for updates. How to delete software distribution folder on windows 10. Clean up the softwaredistribution folder in windows to free up disk space. If you delete the whole folder, it will automatically be downloaded again, along with the files needed for windows update. Apr 08, 2007 if you are talking abou the softwaredistribution folder that is in c. Its useful to delete the contents of the folder when windows updates is. But do not delete the folder itself, if you do clean out that folder then also navigate to. Click start, click run, and type cmd without the quotes and press enter. Windows xp systems have typically been around longer than windows 7 systems and so they will have larger softwaredistribution folders 3 sps instead of 1 for windows 7 and numerous other updates. Ive never had a problem deleting the contents of this folder, but i just realized that the disk cleanup wizard, even if. There is the regular softwaredistribution folder under c. I have no had issues doing so either, however, i am now wondering, if we have wsus set up for servers to pull.

This concerns me the files are needed and 1, i wont be able to delete and 2, if they are in use will they be recreated, if so this is more than 1. This article explains how windows uses the softwaredistribution folder and covers cleaning the folder to help free up disk space. Open your windows command prompt in admin mode run as admin and there enter the following commands one by one which will eventually stop the windows update service and the background intelligent transfer service. I have had my windows 7 64bit installation for a while now, and i have a problem, that is the winsxs folder is taking up. Hi, i need to regain disk space on the c drive of an sbs2003 server the client needs to buy a new server really but thats another issue there is about 2gb in the softwaredistribution \download folder. No, they will not, and the softwaredistribution folder does not contain service pack files beyond the transient period of time required for actual.

How to delete downloaded windows update files ghacks. How to rename or delete software distribution folder on windows. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in. Now go back to automatic updates properties window and start the service after the service is started a new softwaredistribution directory is created and now you can delete. This is the folder where windows stores all the files related to windows updates. How to delete the software distribution folder on windows 10.