Is it safe to delete the softwaredistribution folder in windows 7

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. Go back to services window, then rightclick windows update and then select start. Now locate softwaredistribution right click on it and select rename. Try locating your own data which you can back off to an external device and save space that way. Theres never a good reason to manipulate or delete files andor folders in there, unless you really have an issue with windows update. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is located in the following. 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. How to delete downloaded windows update files ghacks. But do not delete the folder itself, if you do clean out that folder then also navigate to. In windows 7 and windows 810, there is a new folder under c. 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. Solved wsus software distribution folder wont delete. The temporary update files go to the softwaredistribution folder, in the download folder, sometimes this folder needs a cleanup.

Choose all file in softwaredistribution folder, right click on it and press delete. Is it safe to delete the sub folders in software distribution. 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. 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. First of, never ever delete the softwaredistribution folder. How to delete the software distribution folder on windows 10. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows. This is the folder where windows stores all the files related to windows updates.

The softwaredistribution folder is where automatic updates and related files are being stored. Alternatively, you can also try to boot windows 10 into safe mode, and. Type in net stop wuauserv without the quotes and press enter. Delete or rename software distribution folder on windows. I have no had issues doing so either, however, i am now wondering, if we have wsus set up for servers to pull. Here is a relatively simple solution to the problem. Usually, if youre having trouble with windows update, or after updates have been applied, its safe to empty the content of the. This article explains how windows uses the softwaredistribution folder and covers cleaning the folder to help free up disk space. 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. Select all the files and folders inside the softwaredistribution folder. If you delete this folder, it will automatically be recreated next time windows updates check for updates. Each of these folders are taking up around 7 8,5 gb of space, at a total of 23,3 gb. 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. Rename or delete software distribution folder in windows 10.

Go back to the services window, then rightclick the windows update service again. How to delete windows update files windows 7 10 get it. Trying to save space by deleting critical microsoft files is a lost cause. How to rename or delete software distribution folder on. 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. How to safely delete unwanted files from my windows folder. Ive never had a problem deleting the contents of this folder, but i just realized that the disk cleanup wizard, even if. How to delete windows update files windows 7 10 get. Apr 08, 2007 if you are talking abou the softwaredistribution folder that is in c. Blexs simple sevenstep guide to deleting the useless. There is the regular softwaredistribution folder under c. Windows\softwaredistribution folder cleanup automation. Is it safe to delete files under microsoft community.

What if i accidentally delete software distribution folder in. The software distribution folder in windows 108 7 is situated in the following location in file explorer. 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. 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. Mar 05, 2018 softwaredistribution folder holds a very critical place in microsoft windows operation especially when it comes to updating the windows components.

This folder usually contains windows installation files which are required during the windows update process. If you need to delete or rename this folder, this post offered by minitool. Softwaredistribution folder delete in windows tek eye. If you only want to remove cached updates, do not delete it, and utilize one of the methods below. Click start, click run, and type cmd without the quotes and press enter. 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. 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. 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. Delete softwaredistribution folderfix windows update error. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is situated in the following location in file explorer. 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. The file is located under the softwaredistribution folder c.

There is a negative side when you delete your software distribution folder, though. You can delete the softwaredistribution folder, the contents of the eventcache folder, and the. Can i delete cbspersist logs safely, your opinion please. Jun 26, 2018 scroll down and look for softwaredistribution folder then rightclick it and then select delete. 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. Its useful to delete the contents of the folder when windows updates is. 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.

The software distribution folder in the windows operating system is a folder in the windows directory. The software distribution folder in windows 108 7 is situated in the c. How to reduce the size of your winsxs folder on windows 7 or 8. 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.

I prefer download the update from windows update catalog. The software distribution folder in windows 108 7 is located in the following location in file explorer. It is used to temporarily store files that may be needed to install windows update on your computer. If you only want to remove cached updates, do not delete it. That said, were geeks, so lets do it the hard way by renaming. Saving space deleting windows\\softwaredistribution. How to address disk space issues that are caused by a. How to delete software distribution folder on windows 10. How to rename or delete software distribution folder on windows. 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. It also stores older versions of all dll and component files and can grow to be quite large. If your os doesnt allow you to perform the operation, try to use unlocker utility or other thirdparty tools. Mar 19, 2018 we are looking for a way to to clear the softwaredistribution folder under the windows folder to redownload updates.

If you delete the whole folder, it will automatically be downloaded again, along with the files needed for windows update. Open the command prompt as administrator, then run the following commands to restart the. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows 10. You should be able to delete the folder by booting into safe mode and simply renaming the folder. Nov 12, 2016 the only folder in there where you should delete things is the download folder and then only if having update issues. Verify that the new software distribution folder created when you restart the update service is approxiamtely. We have always done this in the past to get a fresh copy of updates to get them working again. Apr 29, 2020 the software distribution folder in windows 1087 is situated in the c. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows 10 pc. Oct 22, 2006 i downloaded some windows updates by accident. Windowssoftwaredistributiondownloads is it safe to. The winsxs folder contains every operating system file. Some users are worried about removing the softwaredistribution folder.

Cleanup of software distribution folder alt it consulting. This applies to current versions of microsoft windows, i. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10. The only truly supported way is to use disk cleanup, incorporated in every windowsclient version vista, win7, win8.

The short answer is yes, its safe to delete files found in the software distribution folder, so long as it has already done its job with windows update. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is located in the following location in file explorer. Often times in our environment, c drives run into space issues and the c. Now you are free to delete all update files or clean the folder at all. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows. How to delete or rename software distribution folder on. This folder is maintained by the wuagent windows update agent, and typically. No, they will not, and the softwaredistribution folder does not contain service pack files beyond the transient period of time required for actual. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in.

Since the the new windows 10 updates the folder is still stuck in use. Can i safely delete the \windows\softwaredistribution folder. Mar 05, 2018 how to delete softwaredistribution folder in windows 10. How to clean out cached windows updates black manticore.

Delete windows update files in windows 7 from cmd or windows. 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. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is situated in the following location in file. Want to reduce winsxs folder size posted in windows 7. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10 and. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows 1087. When deep cleaning windows to recover disk space, performing a softwaredistribution folder cleanup is one task that may help. After you have installed all the pending updates, it is safe to delete all the files and folder under c. 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.

Clean up the softwaredistribution folder in windows to free up disk space. Microsoft windows operating system use softwaredistribution folder to download and manage the updates applicable to your os and applications. Delete softwaredistribution folderfix windows update. When windows installs updates, it drops the new windows component in the winsxs folder and keeps the old component in the winsxs folder. To delete the content inside the softwaredistribution folder, do the following. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows. Id love to clear this space, as its a lot when im running a 128.