This article will explain what it is, can you delete, rename or modify this folder or not and how. How to delete or rename software distribution folder on. Software distribution folder resetrenameempty like a boss. If ever you are not able to delete some files, it may be in use. If your windows update is not working properly or not working at all or if you find that the size of this folder has really grown large, then you can consider deleting the software distribution folder in windows 10 87. Managed by windows update agent wuagent, the softwaredistribution folder can be found in the windows directory. Under typical situations, you should leave this folder alone. How to delete the software distribution folder on windows 10. 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 rename the software distribution folder and fix. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10. Every update comes with security improvements and bug fixes or even with new features. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows. I am not familiar with how windows uses stuff from this directory.
New versions of the software should be released several times a quarter and even several times a month. Solved wsus software distribution folder wont delete spiceworks. How to rename or delete software distribution folder on windows. Sep 19, 2019 go to the software distribution folder c. You can consider deleting the software distribution folder on windows 10 87 if your windows update is not working properly or not working at all or if you find that the size of this folder has really grown large. 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. The temporary update files go to the softwaredistribution folder, in the download folder, sometimes this folder needs a cleanup. You should know that the software distribution folder is an essential component for windows. If you want to delete the software distribution folder, first stop the windows update service, delete the files in the folder, and then restart the.
Start by disabling automatic updates by clicking on start and opening run, type services. Feb 01, 2018 in this tutorial, learn how to delete software distribution folder on windows 10. 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 compression to clean up the winsxs folder. Create or open a distribution share microsoft docs.
It might take longer time than usual to connect to microsoft server because you have emptied the folder and windows need to recreate all the databases and other items. You already may have heard about the software distribution folder. How to delete windows update files windows 7 10 get it. Update for windows 10 software distribution folder. Once you reset software distribution folder, try to update windows again. Windows 10 delete the softwaredistribution folder fix windows update how to troubleshoot happy. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows 10 87 on your pc, theres a folder called software distribution that stores temporary files during windows updates. The software distribution folder in windows 1087 is situated in the following location in file explorer. When you discover that windows update has started to malfunction, then it is vital for you to clean this folder. How to clear downloads folder automatically in windows 10. Once connected you will notice that everything is going good and your windows start updating itself. On windows 10, the softwaredistribution folder is an essential component for windows update, which temporarily stores files needed to. Rightclick the first result and select run as administrator. Solved wsus software distribution folder wont delete.
The easiest thing to do is to just stick old at the front or back to signify this isnt. To clear temporary files automatically in windows 10, you need to enable the new option. This guide will show you how to delete its contents or simply rename it. If you are installing windows 10 on a pc running windows xp or windows vista, or if you need to create installation media to install windows 10 on a different pc, see using the tool to create installation media usb flash drive, dvd, or iso file to install windows 10 on a different pc section below.
Rename or delete software distribution folder in windows 10. Apr 03, 2020 and generally, wuagent windows update agent manages this folder. Solution using the microsoft junction tool found on the systernals site create a symbolic link to another hard drive or partition. If you delete this folder, it will automatically be recreated next time windows updates check for updates. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. However, if you have an issue with a stuck windows updates, then deleting this folder can often resolve those problems.
Feb 03, 2020 how to rename the software distribution folder and fix windows update. As many windows 10 users learned the hard way, the experience with. Update for software distribution folder windows 10. How to delete software distribution folder on windows 10 youtube. Use the go advanced button just below the text box when you edit your post. Verify that the new software distribution folder created when you restart the update service is approxiamtely 1. 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. Softwaredistribution folder solved windows 10 forums. Software distribution folder is an essential component for windows, that temporarily stores files which may be required to install windows update on your computer. When services window opens, locate background intelligent transfer service, right click it and choose stop from the menu. What is software distribution folder and how to delete or.
May 05, 2018 both are updated to win 10 enterprise ver 1803 build 174. Redirecting updates and the software distribution folder. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in. Applies to in this tutorial, learn how to delete software.
On your pc theres a folder called software distribution that stores temporary files during windows updates. It stores temporary files and data that requires to update your pc. You can delete it to free up space for the new update. Jul 06, 2019 this guide will teach you how to delete the softwaredistributionfolder to fix windows update issues. Mar 05, 2005 i recently i noticed my windows partition was filling up with stuff in the c. This guide will teach you how to delete the softwaredistributionfolder to fix windows update issues. First, new technologies are emerging, as a result, the equipment is being improved and that, in turn, requires software changes. 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. Delete the software distribution folder on windows 10 easy. A distribution share is an optional storage folder for thirdparty drivers, applications, and packages that microsoft issues such as updates.
Oct 07, 2019 that said, you should still take some precautions before deleting this folder. Microsoft windows operating system use softwaredistribution folder to download and manage the updates applicable to your os and applications. 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. Jun 21, 2019 first of all you should stop windows update service. The software distribution folder contains all the files associated with windows updates and can be quite a large folder. Windows operating system has so many essential components for various purposes that you may or may not know. You can create a distributionshare folder by using windows system image manager windows sim or by using a manual. Rename software distribution folder on windows 10 quick guide. Mar 31, 2019 the windows 10 software distribution folder is developing at a frantic pace. It is located in the windows directory, where it temporarily stores files used for updating windows software. This folder can be found in windows 7, 8 and 10 version.
How to delete or rename the windows 10 software distribution. One day almost every one of us facing with insufficient hard drive space problem on windows 10 machine. Restart your device and do the steps again in order to delete all files. Large size of windows folder in windows 10 toms guide forum. Cleanup of software distribution folder alt it consulting. How to delete software distribution folder on windows 10.
Type the following one after the other and press enter. Discus and support cant rename catroot2 and softwaredistribution folder in windows 10 in windows 10 network and sharing to solve the problem. This means that its recommended not to be deleted, as it is needed by windows update and maintained by wuagent. The software distribution folder is one of these files. Starting with build 16199, a new option appeared in settings. Works on laptops, pcs and tablets made by samsung, lenov. The software distribution folder in windows operating system is a folder located in the windows directory and used to temporarily store files. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows. Clean up the softwaredistribution folder in windows to free up disk space.
Software distribution folder is an essential component for windows update on windows 10. 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. The reasoning behind it is, the software distribution folder gets pretty big on out ts boxs usually between 1. The software distribution folder in windows 10 87 is situated in the following location in file explorer. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10 and. On my computer is size is around 1 mb, but its size. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows 1087.
Mar 29, 2018 the softwaredistribution folder is the default download location for windows 10 updates. 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. Rightclick the softwaredistribution folder there and then click the rename command. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows 10. So, when the update files are ready, your operating system will recreate the folder. In simple words, we can say windows use the software distribution folder to download and manage every update comes with security improvements and bug fixes or even with new features. Windows 10 delete the softwaredistribution folder fix windows. What if i accidentally delete software distribution folder in. Windows 10 got the ability to clear the downloads folder automatically in a recent build.
Right click the first result and select run as administrator. To delete the contents of windows softwaredistribution folder, you can follow the steps. Softwaredistribution folder delete in windows tek eye. Cant rename catroot2 and softwaredistribution folder in windows 10. The software distribution folder in windows operating system is a folder located in the windows directory and used to temporarily store files which may be required to install windows update on. The software distribution folder in windows 10 87 is situated in the c. When you are troubling with windows update and its taking longer than the first time you can reconfigure windows update repository to using this method to delete software distribution folder from windows 10 or can run disk cleanup to redownload windows update. How to delete softwaredistribution folder from a windows 10 pc. Delete or rename software distribution folder on windows. You must ensure that the root cause of the errors on your pc is windows update. I have an issue with my laptop where i cannot rename files with cmd and in admin mode too. How to change the windows 10 update download folder location.