The easiest but most effective way to fix Windows Update issues is to clear the Windows Update cache. In this article, we are going to show how to clear the Windows Update cache on your computer. If you are experiencing any difficulty with the Windows Update, simply follow these steps to fix the issue easily.

1. Can't Delete Softwaredistribution Folder Access Denied
2. Cannot Delete Softwaredistribution Folder In Use
3. Cant Delete Software Distribution Folder Files

While you do not want to touch this folder under normal conditions, you may need to empty its contents should you find that your system’s Datastore and the Download folder have got de-synchronized, resulting in your Windows Updates not working pro.

How did you copy the folder from a Windows 7 computer to a Windows 10? Could you delete the folder on Windows 7? And I also found several users who had the similar issue as yours, they gave the advices may help you, please refer to the link: Can't delete folder and I am admin. “You need permission to perform this action. You can delete older files; that won’t hurt your computer. Also, you are free to delete old drivers for other connected devices (printers, scans, etc.). It is not recommended to delete unknown system device’s drivers (like Intel, AMD, and others). After removing the drivers, restart your computer. Remove SoftwareDistribution Folder's Contents. Software Distribution folder is a temporary folder in which Windows stores the update files until they are completely downloaded. If you have updated your Windows completely or there is no ongoing updating process, then you can delete those stored files (if there are any) and save up disk space. If the WUAgent is working, then deleting the Software Distribution folder is NOT the appropriate remediation. If the Software Distribution folder is large (because the Download folder is large), then the correct remediation is to delete the old files in the Download folder. Previous Post: How to Change or Remove User Account Picture in Windows 10 / 8 Next Post: 3 Ways to Create New Administrator Account in Windows 10. Fix-2 Delete contents of Software Distribution folder-Deleting the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder may solve this issue. At first, you need to type “cmd” from the search box. After that, right-click on “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator“.

Fix-1 Restart Windows Update Auto Update client-

Restarting Windows Update Auto Update client may fix this issue easily.

/mac-os-106-0-free-download.html. 1. Press Windows key+X keys together and then click on “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” to access the Powershell window with administrative rights.

2. To update Windows Update AutoUpdate Client, copy-paste or type this command and then hit Enter.

Once you have done it, close the PowerShell window.

Reboot your computer and check if the Windows Update process is working or not.

Fix-2 Delete contents of Software Distribution folder-

Deleting the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder may solve this issue.

/download-game-car-untuk-pc.html. 1. At first, you need to type “cmd” from the search box.

2. After that, right-click on “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator“.

3. At first, you need to suspend some update services, copy-paste these commands sequentially, and hit Enter after each of them to execute them.

4. Press Windows key+R to launch Run.

5. To access the Download folder, copy-paste this line in Run window and hit Enter.

6. What you need to do next is to select all the contents of the folder and then press the “Delete” key to empty the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder.

7. Now, click on “SoftwareDistribution” in the address bar.

8. This time double-clickon the “DataStore” folder to access it.

9. In the DataStore folder, select all the files and then press the “Delete” key from your keyboard.

10. Then, double clickon the “PostRebootEventCache.V2” folder to open it.

11. Make sure this folder is empty.

12. First, press Windows key+R to launch Run.

13. Then, type “cmd” and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter together.

Command Prompt window will be opened with Administrative rights.

14. All it is left to start those services. To do so execute these 4 codes sequentially.

Once when all the commands are executed on your computer, close the Command Prompt window.

Reboot your computer and after rebooting your computer, try to update your computer again.

This should fix your issue.

Sambit is a Mechanical Engineer By qualification who loves to write about Windows 10 and solutions to weirdest possible problems.

When deep cleaning Windows to recover disk space, performing a SoftwareDistribution folder cleanup is one task that may help. This article explains how Windows uses the SoftwareDistribution folder and covers cleaning the folder to help free up disk space. This applies to current versions of Microsoft Windows, i.e. from Windows 7 to Windows 10. In summary it involves stopping the Windows Update service, deleting the SoftwareDistributionDownload folder, and restarting the Windows Update service.

What is the SoftwareDistribution Folder in Windows?

A laptop or Personal Computer (PC) running Windows regularly performs a Windows Update. The updates improve security, fix bugs and add or change functionality. The Windows update files download to a temporary folder on the PC. Once the files have finished downloading in the background, the update can be applied to the PC. The temporary folder is called Download under SoftwareDistribution in the Windows directory, i.e. C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload (unless Windows has been installed to a different drive or directory). If trying to view this folder in Windows Explorer you may need to give permission and be logged in as an Administrator, as well as turning on Hidden items in the View menu (or via Organise and Folder and search options in Windows 7).

Can't Delete Softwaredistribution Folder Access Denied

Clean Up The SoftwareDistribution Folder in Windows to Free Up Disk Space

Cannot Delete Softwaredistribution Folder In Use

When the system drive runs low on disk space some free space may be reclaimed by deleting this Windows Update temporary downloads folder. Therefore, a full SoftwareDistribution folder delete is not done, just the Download folder in that directory. The SoftwareDistributionDownload folder delete may fix problems that stop the Disk Clean-up utility from finishing. (The Disk Clean-up utility can take quite a while to finish, and if still not finished after a few hours it may be stuck due to Windows Update conflicts.)

Apply Any Remaining Windows Updates

If the SoftwareDistributionDownload folder delete is performed before Windows Update has installed existing download files, then those files will download again. To stop this from happening ensure Windows Update has completed. Open Windows Update. In Windows select Settings (the gear icon) then Windows Update, or enter Update in the search box and select Check for updates. In Windows 7 select Windows Update from All Programs via the Start button (or Start then Control Panel then System and Security).

Select Check for updates to ensure that no updates are available. Install any Windows updates so that 'Your device is up to date'. (If low on disk space updates may fail to apply, try emptying the Recycle Bin, clearing browser caches or running the Disk Clean-up utility.)

Temporarily Stop the Windows Update Service

With all Windows updates applied stop the Windows Update service to safely remove the WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload folder. Run Task Manager (press the Ctrl-Alt-Delete keys all at once and select Task Manager or search for Task Manager and select it). Click the Services tab. Sort the list by name (click the Name column). Browse to the wuauserv entry and check the Status column. If it says Running stop the wuauserv service. To stop the service select Open Services at the bottom of Task Manager (or the Services button in Windows 7 Task Manager).

Cant Delete Software Distribution Folder Files

In Services click on the name column to sort the service alphabetically. Locate Windows Update. Select Stop the Service from the left hand column above description (or double-click on Windows Update to open the properties and click the Stop button, then click OK to close the properties).

Rename the WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload Folder

Using Windows Explorer rename the Download Folder in WindowsSoftwareDistribution. E.g. bring up the context menu and select Rename call it something like Download-old. Windows will create a new Download folder when it needs it. The new Download folder will be empty until new Windows updates are available and are loaded.

On Windows 7 Restart the Windows Update Service

Windows will start the Windows Update service when it needs it. In Windows 7 select Start Service in Services or double-click on Windows Update and select the Start button, click OK to close the properties.

Delete the Renamed Folder

In Windows Explorer delete the renamed Download folder. For example if it was renamed Download-old then delete Download-old. Permission may need to be given to do this, if so click Continue on the message box that appears:

The Windows Update temporary Download folder, under the SoftwareDistribution folder, delete procedure has been completed.

See Also

• For a full list of all the articles in Tek Eye see the full site Index.

Archived Comments

Drew Meady on March 11, 2017 at 9:34 am said:

This was a very well worded, easy to follow and extremely helpful article. I’m glad I came across it, my problem was solved! Thanks!