You have a server with an 8 gb system partition and it keeps filling up. Oct 12, 2011 delete softwaredistribution folder, now asking for updates again hello, i have a question regarding windows updates and the folder softwaredistribution in windows folder. Im in charge of a windows server 2008 r2 that i didnt install that recently raised a disk capacity warning. 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. How to install windows updates on a windows server 1. The temporary update files go to the softwaredistribution folder, in the download folder, sometimes this folder needs a cleanup.
Often times in our environment, c drives run into space issues and the c. Rename or delete software distribution folder in windows 10. The update cache is a special folder that stores update installation files. Neither windows xp nor windows 2003 server includes the command mklink, so the junction command from sysinternals can be used instead. Nov, 2014 it will eventually start installing the updates. How to restore the downloads folder view in windows 10.
Mar 20, 2011 customer server running windows server 2008 r2 can not use windows update to check updates or download updates automatically. The softwaredistribution folder was renamed, but it continues failling. Download list im assuming youre either using x86 or x64 other options that we can try include removing the previous version of windows installer through addremove programs, and then attempt to install 4. Jul 30, 2012 wsus reset and delete softwaredistrib ution folder this script has been tested however, use at your own risk. Hi, i need to regain disk space on the c drive of an sbs2003 server the client needs to buy a new server really but thats another issue there is about 2gb in the softwaredistribution\ download folder. I was told that i could delete these files manually by stopping the wsaupdate service then removing. Cant download any updates on windows server 2008 r2. 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. Is it safe to delete files under microsoft community. Its a better idea to remove the content of the download folder. How to install windows updates on a windows server. Lets try and download the installer again and try to install. I have no had issues doing so either, however, i am now wondering, if we have wsus set up for servers to pull. Download security update for windows server 2008 r2 x64.
Can i delete the contents of winnt\softwaredistribution\download\ on server 2003. Rightclick on the service windows update and select stop from the menu. When you delete the software distribution folder, your download history is removed. This is non trivial in size about 170m, and repairs issues it finds with the windows update database. Continue reading to discover how to purge the windows update cache. Also i stuffed up wu on 800 pcs at work and the easiest solution was to delete the entire software distribution folder via a simple. If you navigate to the folder manually, you may need to enable the showing of hidden files first. This article is genuinely helpful for windows 7 and server 2008, but the inclusion of windows 2003 server is not accurate. Clean up the softwaredistribution folder in windows to free up disk space. I have a number of machines with a bloated windows\softwaredistribution folder. This tutorial will walk you through the steps to purge the windows update cache. Script wsus reset and delete softwaredistribution folder. Mar 05, 2005 i have winxp setup on a 5 gb partition with all my apps setup on another partition. Stop windows update service and remove all filesfolders from c.
How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows. Have you ever wondered why your server hard drive fills up so fast. Winsxs folder cleanup in windows server 2008 r2 techiegene. Ive recently began setting up and working with windows server 2008 based not r2 systems. Sep 19, 2019 go to the software distribution folder c. How to address disk space issues that are caused by a large.
Home forums server operating systems windows server 2008 2008 r2 window installer folder 35 gig. Make sure that your antivirus application does not scan the files in the %windir% \softwaredistribution directory on any computer on which windows update agent is installed. It is located at the root of your system drive, in c. I have a number of machines with a bloated windows\ softwaredistribution folder. The softwaredistribution folder is where automatic updates are stored. If you only want to remove cached updates, do not delete it. How to reduce properly this topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 1. How to purge the windows update cache atomic it knowledgebase. Saving space deleting windows\softwaredistribution\download. The size of the winsxs directory will vary by server. There are mixed views across the board about deleting this folder, but my view is that if you stop automatic updates, delete the folder then restart automatic updates that works and has worked many time before for me. Delete softwaredistribution folder, now asking for updates again hello, i have a question regarding windows updates and the folder softwaredistribution in windows folder.
Wsus reset and delete softwaredistrib ution folder this script has been tested however, use at your own risk. It contained the folder download taking almost 2 gb of space. Googlefu suggestions often resulted in waiting for it let it run over an hour, no progress update only 21 small updates or deleting the contents of the download folder in c. I recently i noticed my windows partition was filling up with stuff in the c. Delete the contents of the windows\ softwaredistribution. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows 1087. Ive never had a problem deleting the contents of this folder, but i just realized that the disk cleanup wizard, even if i set it to delete windows update files, doesnt touch it. Delete corrupt windows update folder windows forum. Rebooting will start the two services we stopped, but if you dont want. In fact, i was just working with a client that had this exact issue. Windows server 2008 and other versions of windows can sometimes suffer from errors on windows update. Redirecting updates and the software distribution folder. Transform data into actionable insights with dashboards and reports.
If ever you are not able to delete some files, it may be in use. How to delete downloaded windows update files ghacks. I think this folder is used as a temporary storage for windows update, but as all the pending windows updates have now been installed, is it ok to delete the. Hi, i need to regain disk space on the c drive of an sbs2003 server the client needs to buy a new server really but thats another issue there is about 2gb in the softwaredistribution\download folder.
Folder windows\softwaredistribution\download january 2009. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in windows. After the initial install and full round of patches i was a bit surprised at the amount of consumed disk space. On windows 10, the softwaredistribution folder is an essential. It is located at the root of your system drive in c. On your pc theres a folder called software distribution that stores temporary files during. First of, never ever delete the softwaredistribution folder. Jun 21, 20 hi i have windows server 2008 rr2 i have been gathering information about delete c. Download security update for windows server 2008 r2 x64 edition kb981957 from official microsoft download center. How to address disk space issues that are caused by a large windows component store winsxs directory content provided by microsoft applies to. If you want to download a specific update manually, only the.
The update can be downloaded from the microsoft update catalog or from this page. Aug 31, 2017 this tutorial will walk you through the steps to purge the windows update cache. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply. After installing this update and prior to being able to perform the cleanup, the desktop experience feature must be installed. Restart your device and do the steps again in order to delete all files. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10.
If you have applied all available updates, this can be safely deleted by. Disk cleanup is not installed by default on windows server 2008 r2. Enter net stop wuauserv into an elevated command prompt. Security update for windows server 2008 r2 x64 edition. Solved error code 8000ffff windows update windows server. Hi, been trying to run disk cleanup on c drive of our windows 2008 server so as to remove files in c. Winsxs cleanup tool available for windows server 2008 r2 sp1. Windowssoftwaredistributiondownloads is it safe to. Solved windows update stuck downloading 0kb, 0% complete. I am running a windows storage server 2008 and this folder contains 11. Folder windows\softwaredistribution\download january. Feb 15, 2019 since the win10 anniversary update, i have a duplicate softwaredistribution folder on my b drive which is where i store all my files. Hi, i need to regain disk space on the c drive of an sbs2003 server the client needs to buy a new server really but thats another issue there is about 2gb in the softwaredistribution \ download folder.
How to extend the boot partition in windows server 2008. If you were to delete the folder itself, it will get automatically recreated and the required wu components downloaded automatically. Download the attached update and save to your desktop. Click on the start button and in the search box, type command prompt. Im considering using a computer startup script to perform this task automatically. Solved kb976932 sp1 fails to install windows server. Neither windows xp nor windows 2003 server includes the.
To extend the boot partition in windows server 2008, follow these steps. If you delete this folder, it will automatically be recreated next time windows updates check for updates. There will be a new file folder for each patch or update being installed. Sep 23, 2018 home forums server operating systems windows server 2008 2008 r2 window installer folder 35 gig. Apr 17, 2018 how to address disk space issues that are caused by a large windows component store winsxs directory content provided by microsoft applies to. Feb 10, 2010 ive recently began setting up and working with windows server 2008 based not r2 systems. Open elevated explorer, navigate to %windir%\softwaredistribution\download. C drive full system running slow unable to work on the server unable to delete files or do a disk cleanup.
Download the correct version for your version of windows server and run it. We recently had to change the name of our wsus server, actually rebuilt it and used a different naming convention. Rename or delete the software distribution folder in. I noticed that every day files get added to the c drive under c. Jun 24, 2016 hi, been trying to run disk cleanup on c drive of our windows 2008 server so as to remove files in c. Mar 10, 2020 the update cache is a special folder that stores update installation files.
I have winxp setup on a 5 gb partition with all my apps setup on another partition. The idea of the winsxs folder is that an organization can still roll. I have read that there wont be any problem if i delete the content of download folders, also found that i wont be able any more to rollback updates, is that right. Depending on the number of updates needed, your server may need to restart more than once. How to address disk space issues that are caused by a. After you have installed all the pending updates, it is safe to delete all the files and folder under c.
Aug 17, 2015 windows updates issues on server 2008, 2008 r2, 2012 server. Extend system partition and disk cleanup in windows 2000. Microsoft windows operating system use softwaredistribution folder to download and manage the updates applicable to your os and applications. There is the regular softwaredistribution folder under c. Windows vista enterprise windows 7 enterprise windows 7 service pack 1 windows server 2008 enterprise windows server 2008 r2 enterprise windows server 2008 r2 service pack 1 more. Hello, after fresh installation of vista i have more than 5g of files in windows\ softwaredistribution\download folder. Saving space deleting windows\\softwaredistribution. When in services search for windows update and stop the service from running. Delete or rename software distribution folder on windows. Softwaredistribution folder delete in windows tek eye. Do so with a click on file change folder and search options. If you only want to remove cached updates, do not delete it, and utilize one of the methods below. For computers that are running windows server 2003, microsoft windows 2000, windows xp, windows vista, or windows server 2008, do not scan the following files and folders. How to clear the softwaredistribution folder on windows 10 and.
Lairds computer services blog how to fix windows server. In the details pane, rightclick the volume that you want, and then click extend volume. Hi i have windows server 2008 rr2 i have been gathering information about delete c. It is instead a component installed with the desktop experience feature. All the files in the softwaredistribution should be deleted. In the navigation pane, expand storage, and then click disk management. Installing the update is just like installing any other update. The new wizard gets added to windows server 2008 r2 sp1 by installing an update. How to delete downloaded windows update files ghacks tech news. Disk cleanup of software distribution downloads folder. The update cache is a special folder that stores the update installation files. Nov 16, 2017 rightclick on the service windows update and select stop from the menu. Theres never a good reason to manipulate or delete files andor folders in there, unless you really have an issue with windows update. Open windows explorer and delete all contents in the folder c.