Clear & Delete Windows Update Cache/ History: 5 Ways<5 ways to delete cache files on your windows pc>

发表时间：2024-10-12 10:11:43

Clear & Delete Windows Update Cache/ History: 5 Ways

Clear up update cache and free up disk space

How to

3 min. read

Updated on July 15, 2024

by Henderson Jayden Harper

updated on July 15, 2024

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Here’s how you can delete Windows update cache so you can free up space on your PC. While keeping the update cache can help you identify and troubleshoot various errors, if it gets cluttered, you can clean it up. Info about an update you did 6 months ago is most likely irrelevant.

So let’s see how to locate and delete those files.

You can locate all Windows Update files in the following directory: C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload

How do I clear the Windows Update cache?1. Use Disk CleanupClick the File Explorer icon on your taskbar to open the app.Right-click the Local Disk (C) and select Properties from the drop-down.Click on Disk Clean-up, then click the Cleanup system files button.Check the boxes for Windows upgrade log files and Temporary Windows Installation files, then click OK.

To learn more, we have a great guide on how to use Disk Cleanup on Windows 11, so be sure to check it out.

2. Manually delete Windows update foldersPress Windows + R key to open the Run dialogue box, type services.msc, and click OK to open Services.Double-click Windows Update and select Stop.Open the File Explorer, and navigate using this: C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload folderPress Ctrl + A to highlight every file, right-click and select delete.Press Windows + R key, and type services.msc, then press Enter.Find and double-click on Windows Update, then click Start.

Disabling Windows Update services before clearing the distribution directory will fully clear the cache without any issues.

Read more about this topicSolved: Excel Error Someone Else is Working inHow to Unhide All Rows and Columns in Microsoft ExcelExcel Error Green Triangle – How To Fix and Disable It 3. Clear Windows Update cache via Command PromptLeft-click the Start button, type cmd in the search space, and select Run as Administrator.Type the following, then press Enter: net stop wuauservType the following commands and press Enter after each: C: cd %Windir%SoftwareDistribution del /f /s /q Download

These commands will delete the cache files on your PC.

4. Reset Windows Update cacheLeft-click the Start button, type cmd in the search space, and select Run as Administrator.Type the following commands and press Enter: net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserverRun the following command one after the other: ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.oldType the following commands and press Enter after each one: net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserverClose the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

Resetting the relevant service can also clear the previous update cache from your computer.

5. Clear Windows Update cache via scriptPress the Windows + R key to open the Run window, type notepad and click OK.Copy and paste the following codes: @Echo Onnet stop wuauservcd %Windir%SoftwareDistributiondel /f /s /q Download pauseSave the file as Cleardown.cmd on your computer.Right-click the Cleardown.cmd file and select Run as administrator.

In conclusion, our readers may be interested in our article about fixing a damaged Microsoft Store cache that may affect their PCs.

Moreover, do check out our article on clearing caches on Windows 11. Also, you can check how to fix the Cache Manager error on Windows 10/11.

Learn how to enhance your gaming on Xbox Series X by following our tips on Clearing Cache on Xbox Series X.

Please leave your questions and suggestions regarding how to clear the Windows Update cache in the comments section below.