Windows Update is one of those things that’s supposed to keep your PC secure and working well, but honestly, it can be a pain when it gets stuck or refuses to install. Usually, the root of the problem is a cluttered or corrupted Windows Update cache, which is basically a temporary files stash that speeds up updates but can turn into a mess. Clearing it out might be just the fix needed, especially if updates are failing or hanging. It’s pretty straightforward, but just so you know, you’ll be stopping some services, deleting a folder, and then restarting everything. No biggie, but it’s good to follow the steps carefully.
Why Clear the Windows Update Cache?
This cache keeps those update files handy so Windows doesn’t have to download the same stuff repeatedly. If it gets corrupted or just gets cluttered over time, it can block new updates, cause errors, or make updates painfully slow. Clearing out this cache is like giving Windows Update a clean slate—good for fixing stubborn issues without messing with the updates you’ve already installed.
Method 1: Stopping Services and Deleting Cache Files
Stop Windows Update Services First
This is kind of weird, but Windows needs to be told to stop the update services before you mess with the cache. If those services keep running in the background, deleting the cache won’t work, or worse, it might cause more errors. On some setups, stopping these services fails the first time, then works after a reboot. So, make sure to do this step carefully.
- Press Windows + S, type Command Prompt, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
- Copy and paste these commands one at a time into the terminal, hitting Enter after each:
net stop bits net stop wuauserv net stop appidsvc net stop cryptsvc
This halts the update services, which is essential before deleting anything in the cache.
Delete the SoftwareDistribution Folder
This folder is where all those cached update files live. If they’re corrupted or just too old, clearing it out can resolve update hangs and errors. Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution via File Explorer. Select all files and folders inside (hit Ctrl + A), then press Shift + Delete to permanently delete them. Yep, it’s destructive, but that’s the point—refresh everything.
After that, fire up your Command Prompt again, and restart the services:
- Either re-run the same commands you used to stop the services, replacing stop with start:
net start bits net start wuauserv net start appidsvc net start cryptsvc - Or, if that feels cluttered, you can just press Windows + R, type services.msc, hit Enter, find Windows Update in the list, right-click, and choose Start.
Final Step: Reboot and Check for Updates
Power down, restart your PC, and see if Windows Update kicks in without issues. Once it’s back up, hit Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Fingers crossed, this clears up the stuck update problem, at least most of the time.