Where are Windows 10, 7 updates downloaded?
Most users have no idea where Windows 10 stores updates. The fact is that the folder into which all content is downloaded from the World Wide Web is not used during the process of downloading and updating the operating system. Therefore, there is no need to search for the necessary files in it. In such a case, a natural question arises about where all operating system updates are downloaded.
Windows 10 often asks you to update.
To save and update information, a special SoftwareDistribution folder is used. The Update Center moves all new data to the %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download directory. After the files are deployed, they are moved to the folder described above.
How to Remove Installed Windows Updates Using the Command Prompt
Windows has a tool called the “Offline Update Installer”. By calling it with certain parameters from the command line, you can remove a specific Windows update. In most cases, to remove an installed update, use the following command:
in which kb:2222222 is the number of the update that needs to be removed.
And below is complete help on the parameters that can be used in wusa.exe.
Options for working with updates in Wusa.exe
That's all about uninstalling updates in the Windows operating system. Let me remind you that at the beginning of the article there was a link to information about disabling automatic updates, if you are suddenly interested in this information.
And maybe this will be interesting:
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08/08/2016 at 15:18
Hello. Is it possible to remove update KB2976978? If so, how? The update is embedded in the official 8.1 image. The means described in the article do not work: Thanks in advance!
08/09/2016 at 09:39
Hello. I haven’t experimented myself, but now I took a quick look at the American forums (there is usually more information there + there are official Microsoft representatives) on the topic of this particular update and, apparently, it cannot be removed at all.
08/09/2016 at 18:25
Dmitry, thank you. God be with him, I will be with this KV.
10/22/2016 at 15:36
I tried to delete kb:3075249 kb:3068708 kb:3080149 the system won’t let me delete them, where did they come from? Everything is disabled in the system, like a virus, I took measures, but still caught it
03/16/2017 at 06:54
Good afternoon. Question about uninstalling an update on 7. The installed log shows several successful updates that I need to remove, but there are none in the “installed updates” tab. When deleted on the command line, they are not found and, accordingly, are not deleted. But they are listed in the installed updates log! How can I remove them? Thank you.
03/16/2017 at 08:43
Hello. Now I can’t answer right away based on 7, but as an option: in CCleaner, in the cleaning utility, in my opinion, it was possible to remove those updates that were not removed in standard ways
04/11/2017 at 19:37
Hello. Please tell me. I booted from disk. Opened the command line. I wrote the command “wmic qfe list”. It doesn't work. Although with a working operating system, the list was displayed without problems. Perhaps this is due to the command line running outside of the operating system? I entered this command, as you already understood, in order to find out the latest installed updates. Please tell me how to solve this problem? What is this connected with? Thanks in advance.
04/12/2017 at 10:27
Hello. Yes, this is precisely due to the fact that the command in your case is launched not for the installed system, but for the one launched from the disk. Try in safe mode, not from disk.
04/19/2018 at 19:07
Removed the still black screen
06/15/2018 at 23:09
How to remove an update from a computer - they are in the update log (screenshot), but when I go to Uninstall Updates they are not there? I struggled with this crap for a day - I thought I would have to reinstall Windows, I think I managed it, but to be on the safe side I would like to delete these files with the update. what do you advise?
06/16/2018 at 10:19
Hello. These are not Windows updates, but updates to Windows Defender antivirus definitions and they are not displayed in uninstalling updates.
07/04/2018 at 10:41
Hello! Update KB915597 (namely KB, not KB) appeared. I realized that this was an update to the Windows Defender antivirus definition. If you previously installed the KV915597 update and it did not have any negative effect on the system. And it came out regularly every two days, but recently it hasn’t been there (the last time I installed it was 06/13/2018). For some reason, doubts arose with this KB915597. Could you explain in a little more detail what this update KB915597 is and is it different from KB915597? Will this affect the performance of the system or any programs? For now, just in case, I hid this update. Windows 7 system. Thank you! ps I apologize if the question is stupid.
More on the topic: Msvcp120.dll what is this error how to fix Windows 7
07/04/2018 at 10:48
As far as I understand, it is no different, perhaps they just began to designate them that way for Russian-language systems. But I don’t have anything to look at right now to give an accurate answer.
07/04/2018 at 11:16
Thanks for the quick response! Apparently you are right. After hiding this KB (in Russian), KB (in English) immediately appeared, which is what I installed as usual. I don't see any problems :)
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Where are the update files located after installation on Windows 7, 10
Another important question is where Windows 10 updates are stored. After installing the system, all documents end up in a special directory, which is also hidden for the user. Therefore, it is better to find out in advance where you can find the necessary information, since there is not always a desire to change the software.
Where are files downloaded to Android from the Internet?
If the system constantly prompts you to update, but you don’t want to do this, then you need to delete the installation files and some updates. However, first you need to change some configurations to find the required storage.
To do this you need to do the following:
- Through the Start menu, open Explorer (this can also be done by simultaneously pressing the Win + E keys).
- Select the "Arrange" tab.
- In the list that appears, click on “Folder and Search Options”.
- In the new section, select the “View” menu.
- In the window that opens, you need to check the box next to “Show hidden drives, files, folders.”
- After this, you need to confirm the actions taken.
Attention! If all actions are performed correctly, then all folders will become available to the user, even those marked “Hidden”.
All updates can be found on the official website.
Where can I look for the folder where Windows 10 updates are downloaded?
“We were unable to complete the updates and undo changes” - Windows 10
The first place where Windows 10 downloads updates is the root directory of the system drive (the one on which the system software itself was installed). The directory is named "$Windows.~BT". You can safely delete all documents contained in it.
However, this directory is completely unsuitable for forcing documents to be launched. With such an action, the system will simply delete all files.
The required folder where updates may be located can also be found in another way:
- On the system hard drive you need to find the Windows directive,
- Select the “Software Distribution” section.
- Find the "Download" directory. Often the folder you need is located there.
If you don’t want to change Explorer settings, you can use another method. To do this, you need to use a special address bar, which can be found between the Explorer work area and the toolbar.
It is recommended to do the following:
- Click on the address bar with the left mouse button and select everything that is there.
- In the empty address bar you must enter C:// $Windows.~BT/ and press Enter.
- The system should provide the required folder.
- If the result is negative, then you can enter another path into the address bar - C://Windows/Software Distribution/Download/$Windows.~BT/ and also confirm.
Once the user is in the desired directory, he can delete all unnecessary files and folders.
The process may take some time.
other methods
If the described methods did not help and the search was ineffective, then you can try to find the saved data using other methods, for example, using a special utility. To do this, you need to open the search bar in Explorer using the Ctrl + F buttons and enter the name of the required folder in it. After this, the program will begin an independent search and produce the required result.
The disadvantage of this technique is that it can take quite a long time, and does not guarantee a positive result in the end. Sometimes you may need to enable showing hidden directories, otherwise the system may not find anything.
Path on the system hard partition
There’s not much to explain here for a long time. To find the folder with updates and see all the files and the volume they occupy, just go to the following path:
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
Instead of drive C, there can be any other drive on which the operating system is installed.
A few months after installing the operating system, this folder weighs about 90 MB. Over the course of a year, much more accumulates there:
How to block downloads
Where are screenshots saved on Windows 10 - where to look
Unfortunately, the Windows system is such that even when old files are deleted, after a while the update offer appears again, and the information can again be installed on the computer. To deal with this problem and prevent downloads, you will need to get rid of some updates that are necessary for the Get Windows 10 application to function.
This can be done in a certain way:
- Go to the Start menu.
- Select the “Control Panel” section.
- Go to the “Programs” item.
- Next, you need to find and select the “Uninstall a program” entry.
- You need to go to the menu called “View installed updates.”
- After going to the designated item, you will need to delete several files. Their names and quantity depend on which operating system is installed on the computer.
Folders with information are often hidden from ordinary users.
Unfortunately, while the Update Center is running, the deleted files will be quickly downloaded to the computer again and also installed. To prevent this from happening, you need to configure some settings. To do this, it is recommended to follow the instructions:
- Through “Start” go to “Control Panel”.
- Find and launch “Update Center”.
- Select "Important updates".
- Find files that have just been deleted and check the boxes next to them.
- Right-click on one of the files and select “Hide update”.
- Confirm the action and close the Update Center.
After these steps, updates should not appear again.
Attention! If the files are still downloading, then something was done incorrectly.
Not enough space on your Windows 7 system disk? Uninstall old updates and the problem will be solved
Greetings to all users who want to learn more about their computer, Trishkin Denis is with you again.
At some point, many owners of complex computing devices are faced with a situation where they run out of space on the system disk. This is due to constant Windows updates, a cluttered desktop, or insufficient initial volume layout. The last problem is solved by increasing the volume. The main screen is cleaned by hand. But how to remove old Windows 7 updates? After all, initially it was impossible to do this. Don't worry - there is a way.
The content of the article
What's the point? ( )
During the installation of system updates, old files are replaced with new ones and remain on the computer. They can be found in the WinSxS directory, which is located in the Windows folder. This approach allows you to cancel the latest addition at any time, as a result of which the computer will remain fully operational.
But on the other hand, as the OS is constantly updated, the folder grows significantly in size. So, it turns out that the longer Windows is installed on the computer, the larger the size of the WinSxS directory. This worries many users, especially those with small system volumes.
More on the topic: How to change the font on a computer running Windows 7
From the very beginning, Windows did not have built-in uninstall capabilities. So we had to use various “dark” ways to bypass the protection and still clear the desired directory.
As a result, Microsoft decided to release update KB2852386. This is what allows you to say goodbye to unused versions of add-ons. This product is a disk cleanup wizard in the OS and is called Windows Cleanup Tool.
Important! The update is optional. It is installed on the corresponding tab in the wizard. Or you can download it manually.
Installation Requirements ( )
You need to know that this add-on is only suitable for Windows 7 updated to SP1.
In case of downloading the utility manually from the company’s website, users are asked to confirm the authenticity of the OS using programs. If installation is via built-in capabilities, validation is not carried out.
How to remove old updates? ( )
The first thing many people want to know is not even how, but is it possible to delete these files at all? I can safely answer – yes. After all, they are no longer used by the system anyway.
So, to delete unused files from drive C, you need to:
Download and install product KB2852386 from the official website.
Open the Cleanup Wizard via the command line. cleanmgr in it .
A new window will open in which we indicate the drive where the operating system is located. We confirm our intentions.
Click “ Clean up system files ”.
The scan will start and a list of cleaning options will appear. However, they were previously unavailable.
After that, in a new window about (Update Cleanup). This program shows the approximate volume that will be released after the procedure.
Important! The function becomes available only if the wizard can find unused files.
We confirm the action. The process will start, which will take a lot of time.
After the procedure is completed, you must reboot the system manually. During a new start of the OS, the “ Cleaning up ” window may appear. Under no circumstances should you turn off the machine.
It is important to remember that if you clean it, you will lose the ability to undo the updates that replaced the old ones.
Many experts even recommend watching the video initially to make sure everything is done correctly. But the procedure can be carried out without this.
Automate the process on multiple devices ( )
If there is a need to carry out this procedure on several devices at once, there is no need to carry out a long list of procedures on each one. You just need to automate the system.
This is done using a register to which minor adjustments are made.
To do this, in: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUpdate Cleanup DWORD parameter is created , assigned the value “ 2 ” and called StateFlags0022 . The last two digits may be different, the main thing is to remember them.
Next, we launch the task scheduler “ schtasks ” and execute the command: “ cleanmgr /sagerun:22 ”, where 22 are the required numbers.
This command means the start of deleting the necessary files, and will clean the WinSxS directory.
Many people want to know whether it is necessary to carry out the procedure constantly, and how often it should be done? It's simple - at least once a month. This will significantly reduce disk space usage.
If anyone hasn't done this before, I recommend it. After all, by doing so you can free up a third of the Windows folder, or even more.
I hope this article will help many. Subscribe and tell your friends about me.
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Where are Windows 10 distribution files downloaded?
Many users are also interested in where the Windows 10 distribution files are downloaded. Microsoft offers users a special Windows Update Assistant utility, which can be found on the official website. Using this application, files are saved by default in the “$Windows.~BT” folder on drive C. However, a similar Assistant creates a couple more folders on the disk – Windows10Upgrade and $GetCurrent\Media. The first stores installation documents, the second contains ready-made files.
This Assistant is very easy to use. It is enough to launch it and select the “Update now” command, the program will find and check everything, and then begin downloading, creating new folders. After the process is completed, you can perform any actions with the distribution.
If necessary, you can disable Update Center.
A similar folder with files can also be deleted if it takes up extra space. For this purpose, it is recommended to use the Unlocker program - it is the most convenient, although if you wish, you can use any other software to remove software.
Updates for Windows 10 or any other version are downloaded to a specific location on the computer. These folders are not public. To find them, you will need to follow some simple steps. If you wish, you can delete the installation files and configure the program so that they are no longer downloaded. You can do these steps yourself, but you must strictly follow all instructions. However, if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to trust a specialist.
Windows ~BT folder
After you change Windows Explorer configurations, you will be able to see folders and files that have the “Hide” attribute. Now you can search for the folder where the Windows 10 distribution is downloaded and delete it.
The first place where it can be saved is directly in the root directory of your system drive. That is, the one on which you installed the OS (the “Windows” directory is located in it). In most cases it has the letter "C:\". The folder is called "$Windows.~BT". You can safely delete all its contents.
If you are looking for this directory to force an upgrade to Windows 10, this is a bad idea. If you try to run “Setup.exe” manually, all installation files will be deleted.
In some cases (depending on the Update Center settings) this folder may be located in a different location:
- Open the "Windows" directory on your system hard drive.
- Find the "Software Distribution" section.
- It contains the “Download” directory. Open it.
The “$Windows.~BT” folder you need may also be located here.
