Delete or rename software distribution folder on windows. Microsoft windows operating system use softwaredistribution folder to download and manage the updates applicable to your os and applications. Aug 18, 2008 software distribution folder posted in windows xp home and professional. To delete the contents of the software distribution folder, in windows 10, from the winx menu, open command prompt admin. Under typical situations, you should leave this folder. Nov 29, 2007 we are getting somewhat low on disk space on our c.
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. You should know that the software distribution folder is an essential component for windows. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows 10 pc. In case of need, you can free some space by deleting the content of the folder. That folder is where windows stores windows updates. Here are some notes on getting special versions of windows xp install isos to work with e2b. If you delete the whole folder, it will automatically be downloaded again, along with the files needed for windows update. It is generally safe to delete its contents so long as you have no pending updates. The new column shows not only the size of files, but also the size of folders. Do you know for a fact that this file isnt necessary for the proper function of any processes. Software distribution folder is an essential component for windows update on windows 10. I suspected there to be some malware, but ran several scans and found nothing. Free open source windows software distribution software.
The process known as virtual kernel driver for version x86x64 systems or systems belongs to software winnt by intel description. Redirecting updates and the software distribution folder. So i have just upgraded from windows 7 32bit to windows 7 64bit and the windows. The wizard is part of the bes support site and you can get to it in the console by going to wizards bes support windows software distribution wizard. You can delete the softwaredistribution folder, the contents of the eventcache folder, and the. The problem started immediately after recent windows updates were installed. Cleanup of software distribution folder alt it consulting. Use ntfs compression to save disk space articlewinntntfscompress. To install a program in local disk c windows folder windows subfolder. Folder size for windows software free download folder. Clean up the softwaredistribution folder in windows to free up disk space.
I will first test it on a virtual maschine, in case you think it wont work. Every other folder in file explorer opens virtually immediately to show all contents but why does the download folder have to reload the contents, which takes quite some time, the first time the folder is accessed after switching on. In the winx menu, locate and click on command prompt admin to launch an elevated command prompt with administrative privileges. What if i accidentally delete software distribution folder. Can i safely delete the \windows\softwaredistribution folder. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is situated in the following location in file explorer. What is the default installation folder for windows 2003 server. We are getting somewhat low on disk space on our c. On your pc theres a folder called software distribution that stores temporary files during windows updates. This means that its recommended not to be deleted, as it is needed by windows update and maintained by wuagent.
Emptying windowssoftwaredistributiondownload folder. Folder size for windows adds a new column to the details view in windows explorer. Deleted softwaredistribution folder and now i dont have windows update ok, so as im windows 10 and i just needed to get some more space because im running out of it, i decided to look online for what folders are safe to delete. Softwaredistribution folder delete in windows tek eye.
Folder windows\softwaredistribution\download january. Is it safe to delete the sub folders in software distribution. Specifies the tivoli software distribution installation directory. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows 1087. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. I am trying to free up some disk space on my windows 2003 server and have found 1. If youre new to tech support guy, we highly recommend that you visit our guide for new members. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10 and. Deleted softwaredistribution folder and now i dont have. The temporary update files go to the softwaredistribution folder, in the download folder, sometimes this folder needs a cleanup.
The windows software distribution wizard steps you through the creation of a deployment task for the purpose of taking an action to deploy an action to install software to an endpoint. I have been trying to install a usb wireless adapter on my laptop computer, but i cannot seem to get the driver files from the installation cd to load. Solution using the microsoft junction tool found on the systernals site create a symbolic link to another hard drive or partition. I noticed that windows updates were not installing, so i was going to delete the software distribution folder in c. Home forums operating systems windows xp computer problem. If deleting the contents of this folder then it will be. Managed by windows update agent wuagent, the softwaredistribution folder can be found in the windows directory. Windows 10 advanced how to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10 and make updates happen again if windows update isnt working, it could be caused by a problem with the. Apr 08, 2007 the software distribution folder in drive c windows is consuming huge space in my harddisk and i noticed that it only includes already installed updates for my applications or softwares. Im trying to free up disk space on a couple of servers in our environment and noticed this folder especially the download folderis using over 1gig of free space. 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. If you currently receive updates from microsoft update and from windows update, you will have to reselect this option from the windows update web site.
There is a new windows folder that i think xp uses instead of winnt. Win 7 64bit wont allow to install program in the windows folder. When deep cleaning windows to recover disk space, performing a softwaredistribution folder cleanup is one task that may help. This folder can be found in windows 7, 8 and 10 version. Since deleting the software distribution folder, which 99% of people said would be safe, i am now unable to use windows update running windows vista 32bit. I recently i noticed my windows partition was filling up with stuff in the c. Folder windows\softwaredistribution\download january 2009. Make sure you are using the correct edition for the level of the product. Type the following one after the other and hit enter. Software distribution folder posted in windows xp home and professional. Whoever said deleting the contents of this folder prevents you from uninstalling earlier updates is plain wrong. Deleted software distribution folder, now having problems.
Software distribution folder windows xp home and professional. I ran the installation as administrator, that is right click and. This article explains how windows uses the softwaredistribution folder and covers cleaning the folder to help free up disk spa. We have a small server running windows server 2003 enterprise edition, sp2 that only has 12gb of hd space. Can i delete the contents of winnt\softwaredistribution\download.
Every update comes with security improvements and bug fixes or even with new features. Im thinking if its safe to delete these sub folders under software distributions to free up my harddisk. Dec 31, 2009 i suspected there to be some malware, but ran several scans and found nothing. Solved wsus software distribution folder wont delete spiceworks. On my computer is size is around 1 mb, but its size. Its size can be more than a few gb in some cases and after the updates get installed, most updates are deleted automatically. Rename or delete software distribution folder in windows 10. It is located in the windows directory, where it temporarily stores files used for updating windows software.
How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10. Feb 20, 2009 i recently upgraded from windows 2000 to xp pro. Is it safe to delete these files and folders and what are the repercussions of doing so. It is thus required by windows update and maintained by wuagent. Folder for downloaded updates that havent been installed or.
I was trying to solve a problem that would not let the windows malicious software tool download. Aug 23, 2017 typically i have no issues renaming the softwaredistribution folder once the windows update service is off, but i have a few boxes that cant be renamed even after rebooting the. Microsoft opensources its first graphical file management application for windows. I have winxp setup on a 5 gb partition with all my apps setup on another partition.
How to rename or delete software distribution folder on windows. Hi all, can the contents of the softwaredistribution folder located in c. 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. Feb 19, 2010 win 7 64bit wont allow to install program in the windows folder. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us.
Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the winnt. 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. I should have just dld from ms but i did this and now i am stuck. It stores temporary files and data that requires to update your pc. The software distribution folder is one of these files. Solved wsus software distribution folder wont delete. In this guide, well show you two ways to reset the softwaredistribution folder to fix windows update on your computer running windows 10. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows. Typically i have no issues renaming the softwaredistribution folder once the windows update service is off, but i have a few boxes that cant be renamed even after rebooting the. At one of our client place, the windows 2003 server 64bit system files are in c. How to delete software distribution folder on windows 10 youtube. When you delete the software distribution folder, your download history is removed. Windowssoftwaredistributiondownloads is it safe to. I was having a problem trying to get a usb wireless adapter to work because.
Im trying to free up disk space on a couple of servers in our environment and noticed this folder especially the download folder is using over 1gig of free space. Rename software distribution folder microsoft community. If you just want to skip this and get to the best solution, then scroll down to the how to add a nonstandard xp install iso to e2b heading. If you delete this folder, it will automatically be recreated next time windows updates check for updates. Verify that the new software distribution folder created when you restart the update service is approxiamtely 1. It keeps track of which folders you view, and scans them in the background so you can see complete size of all files within the folder. There is a negative side when you delete your software distribution folder, though. Windows update info stored in softwaredistribution.