How to clean up downloaded files for Automatic updates / Windows Update

Automatic updates are downloaded in %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder and occupy a lot of space. You can safely delete these files.

Type the following commands in command prompt window

net stop wuauserv

Open Windows Explorer and delete all contents in the folder c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Go back to Command prompt window and type net start wuauserv

Be sure to restart Windows before another attempt at getting the updates !!

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Tags: Windows 2000, Windows 2003, Windows XP

Published Date: 20080517