How to Remove Old Windows Update Files

What Causes This?

Windows keeps old update files so you can uninstall a recent update, retry a failed install, or complete servicing tasks in the background. Over time, these leftover files build up in places like the SoftwareDistribution folder, Delivery Optimization cache, and Windows Update Cleanup storage. If updates fail, get interrupted, or haven’t been cleaned up automatically, they can waste several gigabytes of disk space.

Common Symptoms

• Your C: drive keeps losing free space after Windows updates
• Disk Cleanup shows a large amount under Windows Update Cleanup
• Windows Update errors or gets stuck downloading the same update
• Temporary files and system files take up unusually high storage
• Your PC feels slower when installing or checking for updates

How to Fix It Manually

1. Run Storage Sense or Temporary Files cleanup

   1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   2. Go to System > Storage.
   3. Click Temporary files.
   4. Check Windows Update Cleanup and any other update-related items you want to remove.
   5. Click Remove files.

2. Use Disk Cleanup for deeper system file cleanup

   1. Press Windows + S, type Disk Cleanup, and open it.
   2. Select your C: drive and click OK.
   3. Click Clean up system files.
   4. Select C: again if prompted.
   5. Check Windows Update Cleanup, Temporary Windows installation files, and Delivery Optimization Files if available.
   6. Click OK > Delete Files.

3. Clear the Windows Update download cache

   1. Press Windows + S, type cmd.
   2. Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
   3. Run these commands one at a time:

      net stop wuauserv
      net stop bits

   4. Open File Explorer and go to:

      C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

   5. Delete the contents of the Download folder only, not the folder itself.
   6. Go back to Command Prompt and restart the services:

      net start wuauserv
      net start bits

4. Remove Delivery Optimization cache files

   1. Open Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files.
   2. Check Delivery Optimization Files.
   3. Click Remove files.
   4. This clears cached update files Windows uses to share downloads between PCs.

5. Use DISM if update cleanup is stuck

   1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
   2. Run:

      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

   3. Wait for it to finish. This can take several minutes.
   4. Restart your PC after the command completes.

6. Restart and check free space

   1. Restart your computer.
   2. Open Settings > System > Storage.
   3. Confirm that system and temporary file usage has dropped.
   4. If Windows Update was failing before, go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

If you don’t want to dig through system folders and cleanup tools, Kudu can scan for leftover Windows update files, temporary caches, and other junk safely. It helps free up disk space and can also fix update-related clutter that causes storage bloat or repeated update issues.

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