Windows 11 updates can sometimes take as much as 15GB of storage space on your device. The update tool downloads the updates and stores the files in a specific location for installation.
If you choose to install the updates, Windows 11 will still keep the old files for rollback. Such things can quickly use up your disk space; hence, it’s recommended to periodically clear the update cache on Windows 11.
1. Clear Update Cache Manually
Manually clearing the update cache is the easiest option, especially if you don’t feel comfortable using tools or the command line. Here’s how to do it.
1. Press the Windows Key + R button on your keyboard. On the RUN dialog box, type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Find Windows Update Service and double click on it.
3. On the Windows Update Properties, click Stop.
4. Press the Windows Key + R button again to open the RUN dialog box.
5. This time, copy & paste this path and click OK.
C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDownload
6. On the SoftwareDistribution folder, press CTRL + A button to select all files. Once selected, right click and select Delete.
7. After deleting the files, empty the recycle bin.
8. Press Windows Key + R to open the RUN dialog box. Type services.msc and press Enter.
9. Find the Windows Update service and double click on it. On the Service Status, click Start.
2. Clear Update Cache on Windows 11 With Disk Cleanup Tool
The Disk Cleanup tool on Windows 11 can clear the update cache. Here’s how to use it.
1. Type Disk Cleanup in the Windows 11 Search and open it.
2. On the Disk Cleanup, click Clean up system files.
3. Uncheck all selected options first and then check the ‘Windows Update Cleanup’
4. Once done, click on OK.
5. On the Confirmation prompt, select Delete Files.
3. Clear Windows Update Cache Using Command Prompt
If you’re comfortable operating the command line tools, you can use the Command Prompt to clear the Windows Update Cache. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Type CMD in the Windows 11 Search. Right-click on CMD and select Run as administrator.
2. When the Command Prompt opens, execute these two commands to stop the Windows Update Service.
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop bits
3. After executing the two commands, run this command.
cd %windir%SoftwareDistribution
4. Once done, execute this command to delete the Windows Update Cache.
del /f /s /q *.*
5. After deleting the Windows Update cache, you need to start the Windows Update Services again. To do so, execute these two commands one by one.
- net start wuauserv
- net start bits
4. Create a Script to Clear Windows Update Cache
There’s also an option to create a batch file out of commands. Once you create the batch file, whenever you want to clear the update cache, just double click on it.
1. Open Notepad on your Windows 11 PC.
2. Copy the script shared below and paste it into Notepad.
net stop wuauserv net stop bits cd %windir%SoftwareDistribution del /f /s /q *.* net start wuauserv net start bits
3. Select File > Save from the Menu bar.
4. On the Save As Window, select Desktop. Enter a name of your choice in the File name field, then append .bat to the end of the file name. On the Save as type drop-down, select All Files and click Save.
5. The batch file will be created on your desktop. When you want to run it, right-click the Batch File and select Run as administrator.
These are a few simple ways to clear your update cache on Windows 11. If you need more help clearing your update cache, let us know in the comments. Also, if you find this guide helpful, share it with others.
The post 4 Different Ways to Clear Windows Update Cache appeared first on TechViral.