Clear & Delete Windows Update Cache/ History: 5 Ways

Clear up update cache and free up disk space

3 min. read

Updated onJuly 15, 2024

updated onJuly 15, 2024

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Resolve multiple Windows PC issues and speed up your PC effortlessly with specialized software.

Here’s how you can delete Windows update cache so you can free up space on your PC. While keeping the update cache can help you identify and troubleshoot various errors, if it gets cluttered, you can clean it up. Info about an update you did 6 months ago is most likely irrelevant.

So let’s see how to locate and delete those files.

You can locate all Windows Update files in the following directory:C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

How do I clear the Windows Update cache?

1. Use Disk Cleanup

To learn more, we have a great guide on how to useDisk Cleanup on Windows 11, so be sure to check it out.

2. Manually delete Windows update folders

Disabling Windows Update services before clearing the distribution directory will fully clear the cache without any issues.

3. Clear Windows Update cache via Command Prompt

These commands will delete the cache files on your PC.

4. Reset Windows Update cache

Resetting the relevant service can also clear the previous update cache from your computer.

5. Clear Windows Update cache via script

In conclusion, our readers may be interested in our article aboutfixing a damaged Microsoft Store cachethat may affect their PCs.

Moreover, do check out our article onclearing caches on Windows 11. Also, you can checkhow to fix the Cache Manager erroron Windows 10/11.

Learn how to enhance your gaming on Xbox Series X by following our tips onClearing Cache on Xbox Series X.

Please leave your questions and suggestions regarding how to clear the Windows Update cache in the comments section below.

Clear & Delete Windows Update Cache/ History: 5 Ways#

How do I clear the Windows Update cache?#

1. Use Disk Cleanup#

2. Manually delete Windows update folders#

3. Clear Windows Update cache via Command Prompt#

4. Reset Windows Update cache#

5. Clear Windows Update cache via script#