All the files in the softwaredistribution should be deleted. Also i stuffed up wu on 800 pcs at work and the easiest solution was to delete the entire software distribution folder via a simple script. You can delete the softwaredistribution folder, the contents of the eventcache folder, and the. Delete or rename software distribution folder on windows. Jul 30, 2012 wsus reset and delete softwaredistrib ution folder this script has been tested however, use at your own risk. 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 latest fixes and improvements. Best practices for intune software distribution to windows pc. Create or open a distribution share microsoft docs. In the distribution share pane, rightclick select a distribution share, and then click create distribution. You can also use this method to reduce space used on your servers.
Just like softwaredistribution folder these folders contain many important windows update components. Once you start bits service, windows will reconfigure the software distribution folder and download the necessary components again. Managed by windows update agent wuagent, the softwaredistribution folder can be found in the windows directory. Create a new folder where you want to place the distribution share. Jun 21, 2019 first of all you should stop windows update service. Generally, wuagent windows update agent manages this.
Since the win10 anniversary update, i have a duplicate softwaredistribution folder on my b drive which is where i store all my files. Software distribution folder in the windows operating system is a folder located in the windows directory and is used to temporarily store files that may be needed to install windows update on your computer. Windows 7 forums is the largest help and support community, providing friendly help and advice for microsoft windows 7 computers such as dell, hp, acer, asus or a custom build. Verify that the new software distribution folder created when you restart the update service is approxiamtely 1. If this happens you can delete or rename the folder and it will be recreated in the same location.
May 05, 2018 the prime suspect is the winxsx sub folder in c. How to delete software distribution folder on windows 10. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10 and. Delete corrupt windows update folder windows forum. Any problem in these folders can create issues regarding windows update. If you want to delete it, first stop the windows update service. Be sure to set windows explorer folder options to view system folders and files. Im thinking if its safe to delete these sub folders under software distributions to free up my harddisk. Browse to the folder that you created, and then click open. On windows 10, the softwaredistribution folder is an essential component for windows update, which temporarily stores files needed to. In this tutorial, learn how to delete software distribution folder on windows 10. The software distribution folder is one of these files. Solution using the microsoft junction tool found on the systernals site create a symbolic link to another hard drive or partition.
Software distribution folder holds all temporary windows updates files, but sometimes you might have to rename software distribution folder in. Feb 15, 2019 safe to delete softwaredistribution folder, windows 10 delete softwaredistribution folder, softwaredistribution bak delete, softwaredistribution or softwaredistribution. We recently had to change the name of our wsus server, actually rebuilt it and used a different naming convention. The software distribution folder is appearing on my extra drive where i have my user files pointing to, how do i direct windows 10 to put update materials onto the c drive where the system folder is. Deleting files from the winsxs folder or deleting the entire winsxs folder may severely damage your system so that your pc might not boot and make it impossible to update. Rename or delete software distribution folder in windows 10. What is software distribution folder and how to delete or. Jul 24, 2018 you should know that the software distribution folder is an essential component for windows. Aug 31, 2019 on windows 10, the software distribution folder stores the temporary files needed to install the new windows updates that keep your device secure and provide new improvements. When deep cleaning windows to recover disk space, performing a softwaredistribution folder cleanup is one task that may help. In windows 10 and windows server 2016, you have a number of ways to start the cleanup of the component store, which use a combination of package deletion and component. You must ensure that the root cause of the errors on your pc is windows update.
Sep 19, 2019 the software distribution folder is one of these files. Hi, been trying to run disk cleanup on c drive of our windows 2008 server so as to remove files in c. How to delete the software distribution folder on windows 10. In following ms update troubleshooter steps, it suggests renaming the software distribution backup folder. Large size of windows folder in windows 10 toms guide forum. How to rename or delete software distribution folder on windows. So, when the update files are ready, your operating system will recreate the folder.
Nov 12, 2015 this folder is used by windows update. Is it safe to delete files under microsoft community. This article explains how windows uses the softwaredistribution folder and covers cleaning the folder to help free up disk space. How to delete or rename software distribution folder on. If windows update isnt working, it could be caused by a problem with the softwaredistribution folder, and here well show you how to fix it. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows. How to delete software distribution folder on windows 10 youtube. How to rename or delete software distribution folder on. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows 10 pc. It is used to temporarily store files that may be needed to install windows update on your computer.
Rebooting will start the two services we stopped, but if you dont want. Feb 01, 2018 in this tutorial, learn how to delete software distribution folder on windows 10. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows. The software distribution folder in drive cwindows is consuming huge space in my harddisk and i noticed that it only includes already installed updates for my applications or softwares. 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. Software distribution folder resetrenameempty like a boss.
If you delete this folder, it will automatically be recreated next time windows updates check for updates. Cleanup of software distribution folder alt it consulting. And generally, wuagent windows update agent manages this folder. Please remember to be considerate of other members. Rename software distribution folder on windows 10 quick guide. So, in order to perform any operation on this folder, you need to stop these services. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows 10.
The folder can be found inside the windows directory. Every update comes with security improvements and bug fixes or even with new features. This guide will teach you how to delete the softwaredistributionfolder to fix windows update issues. Feb 03, 2020 if windows update is freezing during the download process, the easiest way to solve the problem is to rename the software distribution folders where windows 10 stores the downloaded data. The temporary update files go to the softwaredistribution folder, in the download folder, sometimes this folder needs a cleanup. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is situated in the c. You should know that the software distribution folder is an essential component for windows.
Oct 07, 2019 how to delete the software distribution folder on windows 10 whenever you decide to make changes to your system, it is essential that you create a restore point. In the distribution share pane, the distribution share folder opens. Disk cleanup of software distribution downloads folder. How to delete or rename the windows 10 software distribution. Delete softwaredistribution folderfix windows update error. Before you distribute an update or other software package, gather the necessary installation or update files. Mar 27, 2019 before you distribute an update or other software package, gather the necessary installation or update files. If you havent had any major updates to windows recently, the folder will probably be quite small, however, it. Delete corrupt windows update folder windows forum spiceworks. Verify your account to enable it peers to see that you are a professional. Solved wsus software distribution folder wont delete. If you havent had any major updates to windows recently, the folder will probably be quite small, however, it can sometimes be 5 gigabytes in size or larger.
How to delete software distribution folders techwalla. Feb 10, 2019 windows 7 forums is the largest help and support community, providing friendly help and advice for microsoft windows 7 computers such as dell, hp, acer, asus or a custom build. First of all you should stop windows update service. Clean up the softwaredistribution folder in windows to free up disk space. To get regular windows update, both the catroot2 and catroot folders are important. Script wsus reset and delete softwaredistribution folder. Redirecting updates and the software distribution folder. If you dont want to delete the folder, you can alternatively rename the folder to softwaredistribution. That is, you cannot remove it permanently until and unless you forgo updating your windows. This means that its recommended not to be deleted, as it is needed by windows update and maintained by wuagent. I was told that i could delete these files manually by stopping the wsaupdate service then removing.
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. This applies to current versions of microsoft windows, i. What if i accidentally delete software distribution folder. Delete the folder and restart the windows update service. Folder windows\softwaredistribution\download january. This will reset windows update and your issue may be solved. Deleting the software distribution folders will not affect your computers functionality. The software distribution folder used by windows updates is a major source of bloat and microsoft support has said there is nothing you can do to move this folder from the c drive. Deleting the software distribution folders will not affect your computer. How to rename the software distribution folder and fix. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10. It stores temporary files and data that requires to update your pc.
The software distribution folder in windows operating system is a folder located in the windows directory and used to temporarily store files. The windows 10 software distribution folder can be located using the windows file explorer in the following location. Verify that the new software distribution folder created when you restart the update service is. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows. I have winxp setup on a 5 gb partition with all my apps setup on another partition. Do not post advertisements, offensive materials, profanity, or personal attacks. Software distribution folders are those containing the windows update installation files. These folders, along with the folder contents, may be deleted using windows explorer. How to delete the software distribution folder on windows. Its useful to delete the contents of the folder when windows updates is not working properly. When new windows updates are ready for download, a new software distribution folder will be created. Is it safe to delete the sub folders in software distribution. When services window opens, locate background intelligent transfer service, right click it and choose stop from the menu. Software distribution folder is managed by windows update agent wuagent and background intelligent transfer service bits.
That said, you should still take some precautions before deleting this folder. Renaming software distribution folder access denied. This can be caused by some update files being downloaded and become corrupt. Alt it consulting cleanup of software distribution folder. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is situated in the following location in file explorer. Folder windows\softwaredistribution\download please note.
The software distribution folder is a folder that is used to store temporary files, which the files are usually from windows updates. However, these files may be saved to a flash or external drive and used to update another system. 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 latest fixes and. For more information, see dism operating system package servicing commandline options use the startcomponentcleanup parameter. Windows sim automatically creates a folder structure. On my computer is size is around 1 mb, but its size. In the distribution share pane, rightclick select a distribution share, and then click create distribution share. 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.
How to change the windows 10 update download folder location. Or if you in a position now that you dont know whos right and whos wrong then burn the contents of that folder to disk and then delete it delete the folder from. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows 1087. Choose runas administrator and a small form will show up calculating how much disk space can be freed up.
Sep 19, 2010 the software distribution folder used by windows updates is a major source of bloat and microsoft support has said there is nothing you can do to move this folder from the c drive. These files must include either an installation executable file such as setup. If windows update is freezing during the download process, the easiest way to solve the problem is to rename the software distribution folders where windows 10 stores the downloaded data. Make sure to restart these services after performing an operation on this folder. Fix windows updates error related to software distribution. Wsus reset and delete softwaredistrib ution folder this script has been tested however, use at your own risk. Type the following one after the other and press enter. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in. Mar 05, 2005 this folder is safe to delete its only used to store windows updates occasionally this becomes full and ppl have problems with windows update therefore its perfectly safe to delete. Softwaredistribution folder delete in windows tek eye. Microsoft windows operating system use softwaredistribution folder to download and manage the updates applicable to your os and applications. It is located in the windows directory, where it temporarily stores files used for updating windows software. I recently i noticed my windows partition was filling up with stuff in the c. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is located in the following location in file explorer.