{"id":40153,"date":"2024-08-27T20:52:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T20:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/?p=40153"},"modified":"2025-10-18T23:25:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T23:25:15","slug":"windows-update-cleanup-a-comprehensive-guide-to-free-up-disk-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/windows-update-cleanup-a-comprehensive-guide-to-free-up-disk-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Windows Update Cleanup: How to Delete Old Windows Update Files Safely"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Even though Windows Update can be annoying sometimes (scratch that, most times), it\u2019s still important because of the security updates and new features they offer. However, this process leaves lots of files you might not need, and that\u2019s where W indows Update Cleanu p comes in.<\/p>\n<h2>Is It Safe to Delete Windows Update Files?<\/h2>\n<p>Now, is it okay to delete Windows Update files? Short answer: Yes, you can remove them without any issues.<\/p>\n<p>The only problem is that it\u2019ll also remove <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/timeline-of-all-windows-os-versions-from-start-to-now\/\">previous versions of Windows <\/a>. That said, most users don\u2019t see a problem with clearing these files.<\/p>\n<p>But if it is for you, you can always <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-back-up-windows\/\">back up your Windows <\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>With that out of the way, let\u2019s go through how to delete Windows Update data.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s begin.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is Windows Update Cleanup?<\/h2>\n<p>Windows Update Cleanup is a Windows built-in feature that removes old files from Windows Update that you might not need.<\/p>\n<p>I use \u201cmight\u201d here because, sometimes, some users like to revert Windows Updates if a new update causes issues for them. Every time your PC installs an update, it stores log files, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-delete-temporary-files-from-windows-10-pcs\/\">temporary files <\/a>, and other stuff.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>Also read:<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/windows-update-troubleshooter-easily-fixing-windows-update-issues\/\">Windows Update Troubleshooter: Easily Fixing Windows Update Issues <\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>If you\u2019ve been using your computer for a long time, these update files can pile up, taking significant spaces on your system.\u00a0 Microsoft saw this and came up with this tool to scan and remove these unnecessary files. It\u2019s a simple and effective way to keep your computer running smoothly and optimize storage capacity.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Should You Delete Windows Update Files?<\/h2>\n<p>Cleaning up Windows updates is important for several reasons:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>You get to free up disk space.<\/b> Windows updates can accumulate a significant amount of temporary files, log files, and other data over time. Cleaning up these files helps you to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/clean-my-pc\/\">get more disk space on your PC <\/a>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Your system performance improves.<\/b> A cluttered system with unnecessary update files can impact the performance of your computer. If you remove these files, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-speed-up-windows\/\">speed up your system <\/a>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fix any issues related to Windows updates. <\/b>In some cases, you may be facing problems with your system updates because of conflicting or corrupt files. The W indows Update cleaning u p process can correct the issue.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Improve your system security.<\/b> One of the reasons why we tolerate Windows updates is the security upgrades they offer. If you leave your computer as it is, old and unnecessary update files may pose security risks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Let\u2019s find out h ow to delete old Windows Upda te files for good!<\/p>\n<h2>How to Run Windows Update Cleanup on Your PC<\/h2>\n<p>Follow the several methods below to clean up your update files. We\u2019ve arranged them from the simplest to the more challenging to make them easier for you!<\/p>\n<h3>Method 1: Use third-party software<\/h3>\n<p>If you don\u2019t want to get into the nitty gritty of removing update files from your PC manually, you can use specialized software that will do it automatically, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/\">Auslogics BoostSpeed <\/a>. Compared to other solutions mentioned in this guide, this method is the best way to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/proven-ways-to-clean-windows\/\">clean up your computer <\/a> without any issues.\u00a0 Here\u2019s how to delete Windows Update files using Auslogics BoostSpeed:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/after-download\/\">Download <\/a> and install Auslogics BoostSpeed from the official website.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Double-click on the desktop icon or access it from the Start menu to launch the program.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Search for <i>All Tools <\/i> on the bar and click on it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-12.png\" alt=\"In Auslogics BoostSpeed, select All tools\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">After that, scroll down and click on <i>Deep Disk Cleaner <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-13.png\" alt=\"Scroll down and click on Deep Disk Cleaner\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">You can click <i>Scan Now <\/i> to scan your system or check only <i>Windows Update Files <\/i>. Whatever your choice is, BoostSpeed will thoroughly search and bring up old update files for you to delete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-14.png\" alt=\"Click <i>Scan Now to scan your system or check only Windows Update Files\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">After the scan, select <i>Clean up <\/i> to delete Windows Update files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-15.png\" alt=\"BoostSpeed Clean up\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cta-block cta-block_native top\" data-cta-type=\"native\" data-cta-position=\"top\">\r\n\t<div class=\"cta-block__top\">PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"cta-block__text_native\">Whether you\u2019re a general user or a tech-savvy, you can easily use <a href=\"\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/after-download\/\">Auslogics BoostSpeed<\/a> to run a complete system checkup to remove junk files, fix speed-reducing issues, and resolve any system or app crashes or glitches!<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"cta-block__btn-group top\">\r\n        <a class=\"cta-block__download-btn\" href=\"\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/after-download\/\">Download for Free<\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"cta-block__learn-more\" href=\"\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/\">Learn More<\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<h3>Method 2: Use Storage Sense for cleaning up Windows Update files<\/h3>\n<p>Another option at your disposal is Storage Sense. Check out the method below on how to use it:<\/p>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">Currently, Storage Sense doesn\u2019t directly delete Windows Update files. It\u2019s designed to focus on temporary files and items in your Recycle Bin. That said, it doesn\u2019t mean it can\u2019t remove them. You can try it if it works for you; if it doesn\u2019t, try the previous method or move to the next solution. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Windows 10\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Open the Start menu and go to <i>Settings <\/i>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">In the Settings window, click on <i>System <\/i>and then select <i>Storage <\/i>from the left sidebar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2-3.png\" alt=\"Click on System and select Storage\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Enable the Storage Sense toggle switch if it\u2019s not already turned on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/3-3.png\" alt=\"Enable the Storage Sense toggle\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Click on <i>Configure Storage Sense or run it now <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/456.png\" alt=\"Configure Storage Sense or run it now\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Under the <i>Temporary Files <\/i> section, check the <i>Delete temporary files that my apps aren\u2019t using <\/i>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Scroll down and click on <i>Clean now <\/i> to start the cleanup process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Windows 11\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Launch the Settings menu.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Go to <i>System <\/i>and click on <i>Storage <\/i>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Scroll down and toggle the Storage Sense switch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-17.png\" alt=\"Scroll down and toggle the Storage Sense switch\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">After that, click on the Storage Sense bar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-18.png\" alt=\"Click on the Storage Sense bar\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">When the new window opens, click <i>Run Storage Sense now. <\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Method 3: Use the Disk Cleanup utility<\/h3>\n<p>Here\u2019s h ow to delete Windows Update file s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/windows-disk-cleanup-is-now-replaced-by-windows-10-storage\/\">using the Disk Cleanup <\/a> tool.\u00a0 However, keep in mind that even though it\u2019s safe to use this utility to delete the update files, removing certain files can affect system stability. So, proceed with caution.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Open the Start menu and search for <i>\u201cDisk Cleanup.\u201d <\/i> Click on the Disk Cleanup app from the search results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-1-1.png\" alt=\"Select Disk Cleanup\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Select the drive where your operating system is installed (usually the C: drive) and click <i>OK. <\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Uninstall-device.png\" alt=\"Select the drive where your operating system is installed \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">In the Disk Cleanup window, click on the <i>Clean up system files <\/i> button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-3-1.png\" alt=\"Click on Clean up system files\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Select the drive again and click <i>OK <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-4-1.png\" alt=\"Select the drive again and click OK \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Check the <i>Windows Update Cleanup <\/i> option from the list of files to delete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-5.png\" alt=\"Check the Windows Update Cleanup option from the list of files to delete \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>Click <i>OK <\/i>to start the cleanup process. Be patient, as it may take some time to complete.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tipsbox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__heading\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-right\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__shield\">PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-left\"><\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__text\">Even though Disk Cleanup gets the job done, a computer cleaner can be more effective. Aside from deleting Windows Update files, it can also optimize your PC for better performance.<\/p>\n<p>Check out our in-depth guide on the best <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/free-pc-cleaners-review-what-are-the-best-tools-for-cleaning-your-pc\/\">free PC cleaners<\/a> to find the perfect fit for your needs! <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<h3>Method 4: Use the Command Prompt for Windows Update cleanup<\/h3>\n<p>You can use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/windows-command-prompt-28-most-useful-cmd-commands-with-examples\/\">Command Prompt <\/a> to de lete old Windows Update file s. However, if you\u2019re not well-versed in how this tool works, it may cause more problems than solutions.\u00a0 We\u2019ve provided screenshots to assist you. However, if it\u2019s too much to handle, we recommend going with the easiest method discussed above.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Open the Start menu and search for <i>\u201cCommand Prompt.\u201d <\/i> In the right-side menu, select <i>Run as administrator <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-6.png\" alt=\"Run Command Prompt as administrator\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">When the window opens, type the following command and press Enter:\n<pre><i>cleanmgr \/sageset:1 <\/i><\/pre>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-7.png\" alt=\"Enter cleanmgr \/sageset:1\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">A Disk Cleanup window will appear. Select the <i>Windows Update Cleanup <\/i> option and click <i>OK <\/i>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-8.png\" alt=\"Click on Windows Update Cleanup\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Return to the Command Prompt window and type the following command:\n<pre><i>cleanmgr \/sagerun:1 <\/i><\/pre>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Screenshot-9.png\" alt=\"Enter cleanmgr \/sagerun:1\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Press Enter to start the cleanup process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>Also read:<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/cmd-navigation-how-to-change-directory-in-cmd-command-prompt\/\">Change Directory in CMD (Command Prompt) <\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">You can use the Command Prompt to delete the Software Distribution folder, which keeps all your Windows Update files.<\/p>\n<p>However, this can be tricky if you\u2019re not a bit techie. Luckily, you can check out our dedicated guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/delete-softwaredistribution-folder\/\">how to delete the Software Distribution folder <\/a>. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h2>Potential Windows Update Cleanup Issues and Ways to Fix Them<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes, you may be finding it difficult to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/clearing-the-clutter-how-to-free-up-space-on-c-drive-in-windows-10\/\">free up disk space on your C drive <\/a>. This happens way more often than you think.\u00a0 Check the issues below and ways to resolve them:<\/p>\n<h3>Issue 1: Windows Update Cleanup is not deleting files<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re experiencing issues where Windows Update Cleanup is not deleting files as expected, follow these troubleshooting steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Check the Disk Cleanup utility.<\/b> Ensure that you are running the Disk Cleanup utility with administrative privileges.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Restart your computer.<\/b> Sometimes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/keyboard-magic-how-to-shut-down-restart-or-put-windows-pc-to-sleep-with-a-keyboard\/\">a simple restart <\/a> can resolve temporary issues that are preventing your files from being deleted.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Run Disk Cleanup in Safe Mode.<\/b> Boot your computer into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/add-safe-mode-to-boot-menu-win-10\/\">Safe Mode <\/a> and then run Disk Cleanup.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Disable Windows Update services.<\/b> Temporarily disabling Windows Update services can sometimes help resolve issues with Windows Update Cleanup.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Check for disk errors.<\/b> Run the Disk Check utility to scan for and fix any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/ultimate-guide-how-to-fix-hard-drive-errors\/\">errors on your hard drive <\/a>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use the Command Prompt.<\/b> If the Disk Cleanup utility is not working, you can try performing Windows Update Cleanup using the Command Prompt.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use third-party cleanup tools.<\/b> If the built-in Windows tools aren\u2019t able to fix the problem, there are always reliable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/\">third-party cleanup tools<\/a> that can do a superb job at optimizing and cleaning up Windows Update.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Issue 2: Windows Update Cleanup gets stuck or takes an unusually long time<\/h3>\n<p>If Windows Update Cleanup is taking too much time or seems to be stuck, try the below steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wait for the Windows Update cleanup to complete.<\/b> Sometimes, the utility can take a lot of time, especially if it has to process a large number of files. So, before doing anything, be patient and let the process complete.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Restart your computer.<\/b> After the restart, run the cleanup process again to see if it completes successfully.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Check for drive issues.<\/b> You can also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/ultimate-guide-how-to-check-for-and-fix-disk-errors-with-chkdsk-command\/\">check for disk errors <\/a> because they can cause delays and interruptions in the cleanup process.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Boot your system in Safe Mode.<\/b> Boot your computer into Safe Mode and then run Windows Update Cleanup to see if that works.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Temporarily turn off your antivirus software.<\/b> Antivirus or security software can sometimes interfere with the cleanup process. You can switch off the antivirus until the cleanup is done. You can turn it back on after that.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"cta-block cta-block_native top\" data-cta-type=\"native\" data-cta-position=\"middle\">\r\n\t<div class=\"cta-block__top\">PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"cta-block__text_native\">Consider switching to an antivirus program that has been designed for Windows and won\u2019t interfere with any Windows processes, like <a href=\"\/en\/software\/anti-malware\/after-download\/\">Auslogics Anti-Malware.<\/a> This program detects and removes every stubborn malicious item lurking in your PC!<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"cta-block__btn-group top\">\r\n        <a class=\"cta-block__download-btn\" href=\"\/en\/software\/anti-malware\/after-download\/\">Download for Free<\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"cta-block__learn-more\" href=\"\/en\/software\/anti-malware\/\">Learn More<\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<h3>Issue 3: Windows Update gets stuck on \u201ccleaning up\u201d<\/h3>\n<p>If Windows Update gets stuck on \u201ccleaning up,\u201d preventing the update from completing, you can try the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Let your PC run a bit longer.<\/b> Leave your computer running for longer and see if it eventually completes the cleaning up process.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Restart your PC.<\/b> You can start your computer again and check if the update continues as expected.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Run the Windows troubleshooter.<\/b> Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter specifically designed to resolve Windows Update-related issues. Open the Settings app, go to <i>Update &amp; Security <\/i>, and select <i>Troubleshoot <\/i>. Under the <i>Get up and running <\/i> section, click on <i>Windows Update <\/i> and follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Delete your Windows Update cache.<\/b> Removing the cache Windows Update has accumulated can fix numerous problems related to updates, especially when updates get stuck.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Perform a system restore.<\/b> If the above steps don\u2019t work, you can try performing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/ultimate-windows-recovery-guide-how-to-restore-your-windows-system\/\">system restore <\/a> to a point before the update was initiated. This will revert your system back to a previous state when Windows hadn\u2019t run it yet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>Related read:<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fixing-restore-point-not-working-in-windows-10\/\">[FIXED] System Restore Not Working in Windows 10 <\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"notebox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">Remember to always <a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/backup-and-restore-in-windows-352091d2-bb9d-3ea3-ed18-52ef2b88cbef#WindowsVersion=Windows_10\">back up your important data <\/a> before attempting any troubleshooting steps to avoid potential data loss or system instability. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>Related:<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/ways-of-using-drive-more-efficiently-to-save-disk-space-in-windows-10\/\">How to Save Disk Space in Windows 10 <\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Issue 4: Error messages during Windows Update Cleanup<\/h3>\n<p>If you encounter error messages during the Windows Update cleaning up process, follow these troubleshooting steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Restart your system <\/b>and attempt the Windows Update cleanup process again.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Troubleshoot the issue.<\/b> Windows has a built-in troubleshooter specifically designed to identify and fix issues with Windows Update. Open the Windows Settings, go to <i>Update &amp; Security <\/i>, and select <i>Troubleshoot <\/i>. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to correct any issues.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Complete any updates waiting.<\/b> Make sure that there are no pending updates on your computer.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan.<\/b> The tool will scan your system for any issue or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-find-and-fix-corrupted-files-in-windows-10\/\">corruption in Windows system files <\/a>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/answers.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/forum\/all\/how-toreset-windows-update-components-in-windows\/14b86efd-1420-4916-9832-829125b1e8a3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><b>Reset Windows Update components<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b> This option will stop the Windows Update services, rename the Software Distribution, and Catroot2 folders (which store temp update files). After that, it\u2019ll restart the services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Issue 5: You are missing the Windows Update Cleanup option<\/h3>\n<p>If you find that the Windows Update Cleanup option is missing on your PC, here are a few steps you can try:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Run the SFC scan to verify if any system files are corrupt.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Make sure your Windows operating system is fully up to date.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/perform-clean-boot-windows-10\/\">Perform a clean boot <\/a>. This will allow you to start your system with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, reducing any software conflicts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If none of the above steps work, contact Microsoft support or a computer technician for assistance.<\/p>\n<div class=\"cta-block cta-block_native top\" data-cta-type=\"native\" data-cta-position=\"bottom\">\r\n\t<div class=\"cta-block__top\">PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"cta-block__text_native\">We\u2019ve covered all the points to delete your Windows Update files. If you want the simplest and fastest way to perform this operation, download <a href=\"\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/after-download\/\">Auslogics BoostSpeed<\/a> now!<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"cta-block__btn-group top\">\r\n        <a class=\"cta-block__download-btn\" href=\"\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/after-download\/\">Download for Free<\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"cta-block__learn-more\" href=\"\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/\">Learn More<\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<h2>Windows Update Cleanup: Explained<\/h2>\n<p>Deleting your Windows Update files should be a smooth process. However, if it doesn\u2019t go as you planned it, check the issues we\u2019ve listed and implement the solutions we\u2019ve suggested.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re pretty sure you\u2019ll complete the process within minutes, if not seconds. If you have any questions, suggestions, or anything helpful, let us know in the comments!<\/p>\n<h2>FAQ<\/h2>\n<div class=\"best-faq\">\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__header\">Can I recover the deleted Windows Update files if needed?<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__content\">\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p>No. Once you delete your Windows Update files, they\u2019re gone forever. You can\u2019t recover them through any conventional means. If you ever need those files again, you have to download and reinstall the particular updates from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.catalog.update.microsoft.com\/Home.aspx\">Microsoft Update Catalog <\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Another option is to perform a system restore to the point before the cleanup was done. \r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"best-faq\">\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__header\">How long does Windows Update Cleanup take?<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__content\">\r\n\t\tThe time it takes to delete old Windows Update files isn\u2019t fixed. Factors like the speed of your computer and the size of your update files make it impossible to get an accurate time frame. However, averagely, the process can take anywhere from a few minutes to more than an hour.\r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"best-faq\">\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__header\">Is it safe to delete Windows Update history?<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"best-faq__content\">\r\n\t\tIt\u2019s safe, but it comes with some trade-offs. When you clear the Windows Update history, you\u2019re only deleting the record of the updates installed. However, the updates themselves are still on your PC. You should only take this action if it\u2019s causing a problem or showing errors. \r\n\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for ways to delete Windows Update files on your Windows 10\/11 PC? In this guide, I\u2019ll show practical ways that have worked for many users to clear your old files with Windows Update Cleanup. Keep reading! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":59861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[815,853,881],"tags":[1047,301,75],"class_list":["post-40153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maintenance","category-system-cleanup","category-windows-update-errors","tag-storage","tag-windows-optimization","tag-windows-updates"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Windows Update Cleanup: How to Delete Windows Update Files &#8212; Auslogics Blog | Tips to Diagnose &amp; Resolve Computer Issues<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Safely delete old Windows Update files to free up space and optimize your system. A step-by-step guide to simplify Windows Update Cleanup!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40153\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Windows Update Cleanup: How to Free Up Disk Space\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Safely delete old Windows Update files to free up space and optimize your system. A step-by-step guide to simplify Windows Update Cleanup!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/windows-update-cleanup-a-comprehensive-guide-to-free-up-disk-space\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Auslogics Blog | Tips to Diagnose &amp; Resolve Computer Issues\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Auslogics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-08-27T20:52:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-18T23:25:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/shutterstock_2261222279.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1128\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1128\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Aziz Hamidov\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Windows Update Cleanup: How to Free Up Disk Space\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"If you&#039;re running low on disk space it may be time for Windows Update Cleanup. 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