In addition, you'll notice that Windows Update will take longer than usual to detect and update your computer because the WUAgent must check and re-create the Datastore information. However, it's a small price to pay to get your device to update again. While sometimes the folder may grow, it's only recommended to use these instructions only when necessary.
You shouldn't mess with the SoftwareDistribution folder to free up storage space on your computer. For more help articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:. The Software Distribution folder in Windows operating system is a folder located in the Windows directory and used to temporarily store files which may be required to install Windows Update on your computer. It is generally speaking safe to delete the contents of the Software Distribution folder, once all files required by it have been used for installing Windows Update.
Even if you delete files otherwise, they will get automatically downloaded. If you were to delete the folder itself, it will get automatically re-created and the required WU components downloaded automatically. However, this data store also contains your Windows Update History files. If you delete them you will lose your Update history. Moreover, the next time you run Windows Update, it will result in a longer detection time.
Type the following one after the other and hit Enter:. Now browse to the C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution folder and delete all the files and folders inside. If the files are in use, and you are unable to delete some files, restart your device. After rebooting, run the above commands again. Now you will be able to delete the files from the mentioned Software Distribution folder. After you have emptied this folder, you may restart your computer or you may type the following commands, one at a time in the CMD, and hit Enter to restart the Windows Update related Services.
Once you have deleted the content of the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to type the following command to activate the services related to Windows Update:. Right-click on Windows Update service and select Stop. Delete all the files and folders under SoftwareDistribution folder.
Again right-click on Windows Update service then select Start. Now to try to download the Windows updates and this time it will without any issues. Now type the following commands to stop Windows Update Services and then hit Enter after each one:. Next, type the following command to rename SoftwareDistribution Folder and then hit Enter:.
Finally, type the folowing command to start Windows Update Services and hit Enter after each one:. Once you have completed these steps, Windows 10 will automatically create a folder and download the necessary elements for running Windows Update services.
If the above step is not working then you can boot Windows 10 into Safe Mode , and rename SoftwareDistribution folder to SoftwareDistribution. Note: The only thing which you may lose in the process of deleting this folder is the historical information. This folder also stores the Windows Update history information.
Thus, deleting the folder will delete the Windows Update history data from your device. Moreover, the Windows Update process will take more time than it used to take earlier because WUAgent will check and create the Datastore information.
Now you can select a few options. One is "Windows update clean up". Select it and click o. Then you'll be able to remove all the contents within the SoftwareDistribution folder; after that, restart the 2 aforementioned services by executing the following commands in an administrative command prompt. NOTE: you can change the "00" to a different value if you want to wait 10, or so seconds for reboot Microsoft Windows [Version All rights reserved.
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