Windows Update Cleanup: How to Delete Old Windows Update Files Safely

Even though Windows Update can be annoying sometimes (scratch that, most times), it’s still important because of the security updates and new features they offer. However, this process leaves lots of files you might not need, and that’s where Windows Update Cleanup comes in.

Is It Safe to Delete Windows Update Files?

Now, is it okay to delete Windows Update files? Short answer: Yes, you can remove them without any issues.

The only problem is that it’ll also remove previous versions of Windows. That said, most users don’t see a problem with clearing these files. 

But if it is for you, you can always back up your Windows. 

With that out of the way, let’s go through how to delete Windows Update data.

Let’s begin.

What Is Windows Update Cleanup?

Windows Update Cleanup is a Windows built-in feature that removes old files from Windows Update that you might not need.

I use “might” here because, sometimes, some users like to revert Windows Updates if a new update causes issues for them. Every time your PC installs an update, it stores log files, temporary files, and other stuff. 

Also read: Windows Update Troubleshooter: Easily Fixing Windows Update Issues

If you’ve been using your computer for a long time, these update files can pile up, taking significant spaces on your system. 

Microsoft saw this and came up with this tool to scan and remove these unnecessary files. It’s a simple and effective way to keep your computer running smoothly and optimize storage capacity.

Why Should You Delete Windows Update Files?

Cleaning up Windows updates is important for several reasons:

• You get to free up disk space. Windows updates can accumulate a significant amount of temporary files, log files, and other data over time. Cleaning up these files helps you to get more disk space on your PC. 
• Your system performance improves. A cluttered system with unnecessary update files can impact the performance of your computer. If you remove these files, you can speed up your system.
• Fix any issues related to Windows updates. In some cases, you may be facing problems with your system updates because of conflicting or corrupt files. The Windows Update cleaning up process can correct the issue. 
• Improve your system security. One of the reasons why we tolerate Windows updates is the security upgrades they offer. If you leave your computer as it is, old and unnecessary update files may pose security risks.  

Let’s find out how to delete old Windows Update files for good!

How to Run Windows Update Cleanup on Your PC

Follow the several methods below to clean up your update files. We’ve arranged them from the simplest to the more challenging to make them easier for you!

Method 1: Use third-party software

If you don’t want to get into the nitty gritty of removing update files from your PC manually, you can use specialized software that will do it automatically, such as Auslogics BoostSpeed.

Compared to other solutions mentioned in this guide, this method is the best way to clean up your computer without any issues. 

Here’s how to delete Windows Update files using Auslogics BoostSpeed: 

• Download and install Auslogics BoostSpeed from the official website.
• Double-click on the desktop icon or access it from the Start menu to launch the program.
• Search for All Tools on the bar and click on it. 

• After that, scroll down and click on Deep Disk Cleaner. 

• You can click Scan Now to scan your system or check only Windows Update Files. Whatever your choice is, BoostSpeed will thoroughly search and bring up old update files for you to delete. 

• After the scan, select Clean up to delete Windows Update files. 

Method 2: Use Storage Sense for cleaning up Windows Update files

Another option at your disposal is Storage Sense. Check out the method below on how to use it:

Windows 10 

• Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
• In the Settings window, click on System and then select Storage from the left sidebar.

• Enable the Storage Sense toggle switch if it’s not already turned on.

• Click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now.

• Under the Temporary Files section, check the Delete temporary files that my apps aren’t using.
• Scroll down and click on Clean now to start the cleanup process.

Windows 11 

• Launch the Settings menu. 
• Go to System and click on Storage. 
• Scroll down and toggle the Storage Sense switch.

• After that, click on the Storage Sense bar. 

• When the new window opens, click Run Storage Sense now. 

Method 3: Use the Disk Cleanup utility

Here’s how to delete Windows Update files using the Disk Cleanup tool. 

However, keep in mind that even though it’s safe to use this utility to delete the update files, removing certain files can affect system stability. So, proceed with caution. 

• Open the Start menu and search for “Disk Cleanup.” Click on the Disk Cleanup app from the search results.

• Select the drive where your operating system is installed (usually the C: drive) and click OK.

• In the Disk Cleanup window, click on the Clean up system files button.

• Select the drive again and click OK.

• Check the Windows Update Cleanup option from the list of files to delete.

Click OK to start the cleanup process. Be patient, as it may take some time to complete.

Method 4: Use the Command Prompt for Windows Update cleanup

You can use the Command Prompt to delete old Windows Update files. However, if you’re not well-versed in how this tool works, it may cause more problems than solutions. 

We’ve provided screenshots to assist you. However, if it’s too much to handle, we recommend going with the easiest method discussed above. 

• Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt.” In the right-side menu, select Run as administrator. 

• When the window opens, type the following command and press Enter: 
  

  cleanmgr /sageset:1

• A Disk Cleanup window will appear. Select the Windows Update Cleanup option and click OK.

• Return to the Command Prompt window and type the following command: 
  

  cleanmgr /sagerun:1

• Press Enter to start the cleanup process.

Also read: Change Directory in CMD (Command Prompt)  

Potential Windows Update Cleanup Issues and Ways to Fix Them

Sometimes, you may be finding it difficult to free up disk space on your C drive. This happens way more often than you think. 

Check the issues below and ways to resolve them:

Issue 1: Windows Update Cleanup is not deleting files

If you’re experiencing issues where Windows Update Cleanup is not deleting files as expected, follow these troubleshooting steps:

• Check the Disk Cleanup utility. Ensure that you are running the Disk Cleanup utility with administrative privileges.
• Restart your computer. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary issues that are preventing your files from being deleted.
• Run Disk Cleanup in Safe Mode. Boot your computer into Safe Mode and then run Disk Cleanup. 
• Disable Windows Update services. Temporarily disabling Windows Update services can sometimes help resolve issues with Windows Update Cleanup. 
• Check for disk errors. Run the Disk Check utility to scan for and fix any errors on your hard drive. 
• Use the Command Prompt. If the Disk Cleanup utility is not working, you can try performing Windows Update Cleanup using the Command Prompt.
• Use third-party cleanup tools. If the built-in Windows tools aren’t able to fix the problem, there are always reliable third-party cleanup tools that can do a superb job at optimizing and cleaning up Windows Update.

Issue 2: Windows Update Cleanup gets stuck or takes an unusually long time

If Windows Update Cleanup is taking too much time or seems to be stuck, try the below steps:

• Wait for the Windows Update cleanup to complete. Sometimes, the utility can take a lot of time, especially if it has to process a large number of files. So, before doing anything, be patient and let the process complete. 
• Restart your computer. After the restart, run the cleanup process again to see if it completes successfully. 
• Check for drive issues. You can also check for disk errors because they can cause delays and interruptions in the cleanup process. 
• Boot your system in Safe Mode. Boot your computer into Safe Mode and then run Windows Update Cleanup to see if that works.
• Temporarily turn off your antivirus software. Antivirus or security software can sometimes interfere with the cleanup process. You can switch off the antivirus until the cleanup is done. You can turn it back on after that.

Issue 3: Windows Update gets stuck on “cleaning up”

If Windows Update gets stuck on “cleaning up,” preventing the update from completing, you can try the following:

• Let your PC run a bit longer. Leave your computer running for longer and see if it eventually completes the cleaning up process.
• Restart your PC. You can start your computer again and check if the update continues as expected.
• Run the Windows troubleshooter. Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter specifically designed to resolve Windows Update-related issues. Open the Settings app, go to Update & Security, and select Troubleshoot. Under the Get up and running section, click on Windows Update and follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.
• Delete your Windows Update cache. Removing the cache Windows Update has accumulated can fix numerous problems related to updates, especially when updates get stuck. 
• Perform a system restore. If the above steps don’t work, you can try performing a system restore to a point before the update was initiated. This will revert your system back to a previous state when Windows hadn’t run it yet.

Related read: [FIXED] System Restore Not Working in Windows 10

Related: How to Save Disk Space in Windows 10

Issue 4: Error messages during Windows Update Cleanup

If you encounter error messages during the Windows Update cleaning up process, follow these troubleshooting steps:

• Restart your system and attempt the Windows Update cleanup process again.
• Troubleshoot the issue. Windows has a built-in troubleshooter specifically designed to identify and fix issues with Windows Update. Open the Windows Settings, go to Update & Security, and select Troubleshoot. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to correct any issues.
• Complete any updates waiting. Make sure that there are no pending updates on your computer.
• Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan. The tool will scan your system for any issue or corruption in Windows system files.
• Reset Windows Update components. This option will stop the Windows Update services, rename the Software Distribution, and Catroot2 folders (which store temp update files). After that, it’ll restart the services.

Issue 5: You are missing the Windows Update Cleanup option

If you find that the Windows Update Cleanup option is missing on your PC, here are a few steps you can try:

• Run the SFC scan to verify if any system files are corrupt.
• Make sure your Windows operating system is fully up to date. 
• Perform a clean boot. This will allow you to start your system with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, reducing any software conflicts. 

If none of the above steps work, contact Microsoft support or a computer technician for assistance.

Windows Update Cleanup: Explained

Deleting your Windows Update files should be a smooth process. However, if it doesn’t go as you planned it, check the issues we’ve listed and implement the solutions we’ve suggested.

We’re pretty sure you’ll complete the process within minutes, if not seconds. If you have any questions, suggestions, or anything helpful, let us know in the comments!

FAQ