Empty The C:WINDOWSSoftwareDistributionDownload Folder

So, the age old question in regards to the C:WINDOWSSoftwareDistributionDownload folder. Windows “should” manage the use of this folder on its own, in some cases this does not happen.  Some people say its safe to delete this folder others say do not do it.  Well from my experience I have never had a problem deleting this folder, done it loads of times (easily over 20) mostly on servers as they were originally configured with small C drives in comparison to what we would assign to a C drive these days.
Here is the best way to empty this folder.
  • Start>Run
  • type cmd and press enter
  • type net stop wuauserv and press enter
  • type rename c:windowsSoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.oldand press enter
  • type net start wuauserv and press enter
  • type exit and press enter

Effective use of Disk Cleanup utilities will produce exponentially greater amounts of impact on disk management than worrying about the minimal content in the SoftwareDistribution folder.

Duncan

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