How to Delete Old Windows 10 Update Files

Keeping your operating system up-to-date is important to ensure the security and performance of your computer. However, over time, the Windows updates might take up a lot of space on your computer, which can slow down its performance. Deleting old Windows 10 update files can help you free up space on your computer and keep it running smoothly.

In this article, we will guide you through several methods to delete old Windows 10 update files. We will also discuss the benefits and potential risks of each method, provide implications and recommendations, and answer some frequently asked questions.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before you start deleting old Windows 10 update files, make sure you have the following things ready:

• Your computer running on Windows 10
• Administrative privileges on your computer
• A stable internet connection
• A backup of important files and data on your computer

What requires your focus?

While deleting old Windows 10 update files, it is important to keep the following things in mind:

• Make sure you are logged into your computer as an administrator
• Do not delete any important system files or folders
• Do not interrupt the deletion process to avoid any damage to your data or computer
• Always create a backup of your important files before deleting any old Windows 10 update files

Method 1: Using Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a built-in utility in Windows that helps you free up space on your computer by deleting unnecessary files, including old Windows update files.

1. Click on the Start button and type ‘Disk Cleanup’ in the search box. Click on the Disk Cleanup app from the search results to launch it.
2. Select the drive where you want to delete the old Windows 10 update files. Typically, it will be the C drive (where your operating system is installed).
3. Click on the ‘Cleanup system files’ button at the bottom of the window.
4. Select the checkboxes next to ‘Windows Update Cleanup’ and ‘Previous Windows installations’ to delete the old Windows update files.
5. Click on the ‘OK’ button to start the cleanup process. It might take a few minutes to complete, depending on the amount of old files to be deleted.

Pros:

• Easy to use and requires no technical expertise
• Deletes unnecessary files in addition to old Windows update files

Cons:

• May not delete all old Windows update files
• May delete some files or data that you might need later

Method 2: Using Settings App

The Settings app in Windows 10 also provides an option to delete old Windows update files.

1. Click on the Start button and select ‘Settings’ (or press Windows + I keys to open Settings).
2. Click on the ‘System’ option and select ‘Storage’ from the left navigation menu.
3. Click on the ‘Configure Storage Sense or run it now’ link under the Storage Sense section.
4. Toggle the switch next to ‘Storage Sense’ to turn it on (if it is not already enabled).
5. Click on the ‘Clean Now’ button under the Free up space now section.
6. Select the checkbox next to ‘Previous Windows installation(s)’ to delete old Windows update files.
7. Click on the ‘Remove files’ button to start the cleanup process.

Pros:

• Integrated into the Settings app, making it easy to find and use
• Allows you to configure Storage Sense to automatically delete old files to free up space

Cons:

• May not delete all old Windows update files
• May delete some files or data that you might need later

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt is a powerful tool in Windows that allows you to execute various commands to perform specific tasks. You can use it to delete old Windows update files as well.

1. Click on the Start button and type ‘cmd’ in the search box. Right-click on the Command Prompt app from the search results and select ‘Run as administrator’.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
3. Wait for the command to complete (it might take a few minutes).
4. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /SPSuperseded
5. Wait for the command to complete before closing the Command Prompt window.

Pros:

• Deletes all old Windows update files
• Does not delete any important system files or folders

Cons:

• Requires some technical expertise to use Command Prompt
• May take longer to complete compared to other methods

Method 4: Using Third-party Tools

There are several third-party tools available on the internet that allow you to delete old Windows update files. Some of them are:

• CCleaner
• Advanced SystemCare Free

You can download and install any of these tools on your computer to delete old Windows update files.

Pros:

• Easy to use and requires no technical expertise
• Can perform other tasks, such as cleaning registry, optimizing system performance, etc.

Cons:

• May not be entirely free
• May install other software or malware along with the intended software

Why Can’t I Delete Old Windows 10 Update Files?

There might be several reasons why you cannot delete old Windows 10 update files. Here are the three most common issues and their fixes:

1. The Files Are In Use: You cannot delete the files if they are still in use. Try restarting your computer and then try deleting the files again.
2. Insufficient Privileges: You need to have administrative privileges to delete old Windows 10 update files. Make sure you are logged into your computer as an administrator and try again.
3. The Files Are Corrupted: If the old Windows 10 update files are corrupted, you may not be able to delete them. You can try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter to fix any issues with Windows update files.

Implications and Recommendations

Deleting old Windows 10 update files can free up space on your computer and improve its performance. However, it can also lead to some potential risks, such as deleting important system files, losing data, or preventing further Windows updates. Here are some implications and recommendations to keep in mind when deleting old Windows 10 update files:

• Always create a backup of your important files and data before deleting any old Windows 10 update files
• Make sure you do not delete any important system files or folders
• Do not interrupt the deletion process to avoid any damage to your data or computer
• Check for new Windows updates after deleting old Windows 10 update files to ensure the proper functioning of your operating system

FAQs

Q. Can I uninstall a Windows update instead of deleting its files?

A. Yes, you can uninstall a Windows update if it is causing problems on your computer. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history and select the update you want to uninstall. Click on the Uninstall updates option to remove the update from your computer.

Q. How do I recover deleted old Windows 10 update files?

A. If you have deleted old Windows 10 update files by mistake, you can use data recovery software, such as Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill, to recover them. However, there is no guarantee that you can recover all the files, and some of them might be corrupted or unusable.

Q. Why does my computer still show old Windows update files even after deleting them?

A. Sometimes, Windows update files might not get deleted due to system errors or file corruption. You can try the following solutions to fix the issue:

• Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to fix any issues with Windows update files.
• Delete the old Windows update files manually by going to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and deleting all the files and folders inside it.
• Use a third-party tool, such as CCleaner or Advanced SystemCare Free, to clean up your system and delete old Windows update files.

Q. Is it safe to delete all old Windows 10 update files?

A. While deleting old Windows 10 update files can free up space on your computer and improve its performance, it can also lead to some potential risks, such as deleting important system files, losing data, or preventing further Windows updates. Therefore, it is recommended that you create a backup of your important files and data before deleting any old Windows 10 update files and check for new Windows updates after deleting them.