\n
These folders contain downloaded update packages, installation files, and other information required to keep your system secure and up to date.<\/p>\n
Where Can I Find the Software Distribution Folder?<\/h2>\n
As said earlier, you can find the Windows Software Distribution folder in the C:\\Windows directory. Here\u2019s how to find it:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Press the
Windows + E<\/code>\u00a0to open the Windows folder<\/em>.<\/li>\n- Search for the primary hard drive on your computer, which is usually Local Disk (C:)<\/em> or just C:<\/em> and click on it.
\n\r\n\r\n![\"Search]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n- \n
- Open the Windows<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>folder on the C: drive.
\n\r\n\r\n![\"Open]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n- \n
- You\u2019ll find the SoftwareDistribution<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>folder inside the Windows folder.
\n\r\n\r\n![\"You\u2019ll]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSo, the path to the Software Distribution Folder on a Windows computer is usually C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRelated: <\/strong>Windows Update Troubleshooter: Fixing Windows Update Issues<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIs It Safe to Delete the Software Distribution Folder?<\/h2>\n
Many users have asked this question, even on Microsoft Community. According to an independent advisor in the forum<\/a>, John Dev, you can delete old Windows update files.\u00a0 You shouldn\u2019t do anything with the Windows update folder under normal circumstances.<\/p>\n
However, some Linus Tech tips forum users<\/a> have experienced a situation where the Software Distribution folder takes up about 14GB of space or where the files in the folder have been corrupted.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry because getting rid of the SoftwareDistribution folder is entirely safe.<\/p>\n
That said, you should still take some precautions before deleting this folder.<\/p>\n
You must ensure that Windows Update<\/a> is the root cause of the errors on your PC. So, when the updated files are ready, your operating system will recreate the folder.<\/p>\n
\nAlso read: <\/strong>[FIXED] Windows 10 Update Download Error 0x8024200B<\/a><\/p>\n
\nHow to Delete the Software Distribution Folder<\/h2>\n
You must create a restore point<\/a> whenever you decide to change your system. You can always return your OS to work if anything goes wrong. So, follow the steps below:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Go to your taskbar, then click the Search<\/em> icon.<\/li>\n
- Inside the Search<\/em> box, type
Restore Point<\/code>.<\/li>\n- Select Create a restore point<\/em>\u00a0from the results.
\n\r\n\r\n![\"Select]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\n- Click the Create<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>button.
\n\r\n\r\n![\"Click]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\n- Let your system create a restore point. The process may take a couple of minutes to complete.
\n\r\n\r\n![\"Let]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAfter creating a restore point, you can now delete the Software Distribution folder . To do that, you need to follow the instructions below:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Type
Command Prompt<\/code>, right-click, and selectRun as administrator<\/code>.
\n\r\n\r\n![\"Run]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\n- Copy and paste the following commands one by one:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
net stop wuauserv<\/pre>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Enter]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/p>\nnet stop bits<\/pre>\n
- \n
- Press
Windows Key + E<\/code>\u00a0on your keyboard to open File Explorer<\/em>.<\/li>\n- Navigate to this folder: C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution<\/em> and delete old Windows update files in the folder.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\r\n\tYou won\u2019t be able to get rid of files in use. When this happens, all you need to do is restart your computer. Once you\u2019ve rebooted, you can return to the Windows Software Distribution folder to delete its contents. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- After deleting the files inside the SoftwareDistribution<\/em> folder , execute the following command lines:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
net start wuauserv<\/pre>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Enter]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nnet start bits<\/pre>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Enter]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nThese commands will restart the Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer services. That\u2019s how to delete Windows update files using the command prompt<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a video version of a user deleting the Windows update folder:<\/p>\n
- Navigate to this folder: C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution<\/em> and delete old Windows update files in the folder.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Copy and paste the following commands one by one:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Inside the Search<\/em> box, type
- Go to your taskbar, then click the Search<\/em> icon.<\/li>\n
- You\u2019ll find the SoftwareDistribution<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>folder inside the Windows folder.
- Search for the primary hard drive on your computer, which is usually Local Disk (C:)<\/em> or just C:<\/em> and click on it.
![\"Search](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Local-Disk-C-Windows-10.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Open](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Windows-Local-Disk-C.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"You\u2019ll](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/SoftwareDistribution-Windows-10.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Select](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/create-a-system-restore-point-Windows-10.webp\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Click](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/System-Properties-Windows-10.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Let](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Creating-a-restore-point-Windows-10.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Run](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Run-Command-Prompt-As-Admin-3.webp\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Enter](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/net-stop-wuauserv.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Enter](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/net-start-wuauserv.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Enter](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/net-starts-bit-command.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n