How to Clear Windows Update Cache?

Windows updates are essential for maintaining your system’s stability, security, and performance. However, these updates often come with baggage, in the form of temporary files that are stored on your computer as Windows Update cache. Over time, these cached files can build up and take up unnecessary space, causing issues like slow performance and failed updates.

But don’t worry, clearing this Windows Update cache is a simple yet effective way to free up valuable space on your system, and may even resolve update-related errors. In this guide, we’re going to walk you through what the Windows Update cache is, why it causes problems, and how you can safely clear it using tried and tested methods. We’ll also cover how to recover any files that might be lost in the process using Stellar Data Recovery tools.

What Is Windows Update Cache?

You can think of the Windows Update cache as a temporary storage location where your system saves update files before they are installed. These include feature updates, cumulative patches, driver updates, and security fixes, which are downloaded from Microsoft’s servers.

This cache allows Windows to reuse files when needed, especially useful for reinstalling or rolling back updates without needing to re-download them every time. This can help speed up your update process and reduce bandwidth usage. So, in theory, this feature is actually meant to save system resources.

However, there’s a problem—the cache is not automatically cleaned up. Because of this, over time, it can accumulate outdated or corrupt files, which can interfere with newer updates, cause errors, and take up significant disk space.

Why Should You Clear the Windows Update Cache?

As we discussed above, even though this update cache is meant to streamline the update process, it can cause more harm than good, especially when files become corrupted or unnecessary. Clearing the cache might just resolve many common system issues and, more importantly, free up your valuable disk space. Let’s look at the five main reasons why you should clear out your Windows Update Cache.

1. 🧹 Free Up Disk Space: Old update files can pile up and consume several gigabytes of space, especially if your system has a lower-capacity drive.
2. ⚠️ Fix Corrupted Update Files: Failed or interrupted updates can often leave behind corrupt files that will prevent future updates from installing properly on your system.
3. 🚀 Improve System Performance: A bloated cache can slow down update scans and impact your system’s overall responsiveness.
4. 🛠️ Resolve Windows Update Errors: Cache-related issues can also trigger errors like 0x80073712 or failed update loops. Clearing your cache resets the update process and can help fix minor issues.
5. 🔁 Force Fresh Update Downloads: Deleting the cache allows Windows to download clean, updated versions of the files from Microsoft’s servers without over-relying on these backed-up files, which are often outdated.

Methods to Clear Windows Update Cache

Now that you understand why cached update files can pose problems, let’s look at two effective DIY solutions that’ve worked for us to fix this problem.

1. Using Windows Services

1. Press Windows+R, type msc, and hit Enter.

2. A Services window will open. Scroll down to Windows Update, right-click on it, and select Stop.

3. Now go to the path C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and delete all the files and folders there.

[Don’t worry, these are cached files that will automatically be re-downloaded for your next update.]

4. Return to Services, right-click Windows Update>Start.

Note: Don’t forget to restart the Windows Update service after you clear the cache on Windows 10. This is important to ensure that all future updates download automatically and your system remains up to date.

2. Using Disk Cleanup

Windows disk cleanup offers a slightly simpler way to delete your update cache files. Here’s how you do it.

1. Press Windows+S, type Disk Cleanup, and hit Enter. This will open the Disk Cleanup tool.

2. Select your drive where Windows is installed (most often, this will be the C: drive of your system). Click OK.

3. Scroll down and check the Windows Update Cleanup
4. Click OK and confirm the deletion of the cache files.

Pro Tip: Running Disk Cleanup regularly helps maintain overall system performance.

How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Files

If you’ve accidentally deleted important files while clearing out your Windows Update cache (or because of some other action), don’t panic. You have two solid recovery options.

1. Using Stellar Data Recovery for Windows

The Stellar Data Recovery Professional is the easiest way to recover your accidentally deleted files from any drive. This tool is purpose-built to handle everything from logical corruption to accidental formatting, and can even handle RAW file systems.

Why Stellar? 

✅ Supports recovery from corrupted, RAW, or formatted drives.

✅ Can retrieve files from internal drives, external hard disks, USBs, SSDs, and more.

✅ Works even if the drive is not showing files or the partition is lost.

✅ Offers a free version to preview recoverable files and recover up to 1GB for free, so that you can test it out before purchase.

Just install the tool, select your drive, hit scan, and wait while the software recovers your files, all in just a few clicks!

👉 Download Stellar Data Recovery for Windows

2. When to Consider Professional Recovery Services

If the data loss on your drive was due to hardware damage, OS failure, or severe corruption, software alone may not be enough to recover your files. These are some signs you might need expert help:

1. Your drive is physically damaged or not detected by the system.
2. You can hear clicking or grinding noises from the hard disk.
3. Your system doesn’t boot, or it crashes whenever you try to access it.

Luckily, for such cases, Stellar offers professional Data Recovery Services in Class 100 Cleanroom labs, boasting industry-leading service rates. This is the right option for you if you’re dealing with critical files that you can’t afford to lose. We recommend you visit the link above, fill out the questions and wait for a callback from a professional, all from the comfort of your home.

Final Thoughts

Clearing your Windows Update cache is a safe and effective way to resolve update errors, free up disk space, and improve your system’s performance. Whether you’re a casual user or an IT expert, the methods listed above will work for everyone. And if things go wrong (like accidentally deleting important files), Stellar Data Recovery is always there to help you restore your data!

FAQs

1. Is it safe to delete the Windows Update cache?

Yes, it’s completely safe to delete Windows Update cache. This cache only stores temporary update files that are no longer needed after the installation is complete.

2. Will clearing the cache speed up my system?

Yes, clearing the cache can speed up your system. Removing unnecessary update files can free up disk space and resolve update-related slowdowns.

3. How often should I clear the update cache?

There’s no fixed rule, but clearing your cache every few months or when you face update errors is a good practice.

4. Can I clear the cache while Windows is updating?

No. Always wait for updates to finish or pause them before you delete the Windows Update cache to avoid system issues.

5. Can Stellar recover files I deleted by mistake while clearing the cache?

Yes, Stellar Data Recovery for Windows can retrieve your lost or deleted files quickly, even from formatted or corrupt drives.