Efficient Steps to Safely Delete Windows Update Cache and Free Up Disk Space

How to Delete Windows Update Cache

Are you experiencing slow performance on your Windows computer? One of the common reasons for this issue could be the accumulation of outdated Windows Update cache files. These files can take up a significant amount of disk space and affect your system’s performance. In this article, we will guide you through the process of deleting the Windows Update cache on your Windows computer to improve its performance and free up disk space.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

To delete the Windows Update cache, you need to run Command Prompt as an administrator. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key and type “cmd” in the search box.
2. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”

Step 2: Run the Clean-Up Utility

Once you have opened Command Prompt as an administrator, you can run the built-in Windows Update clean-up utility to delete the cache files. Follow these steps:

1. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
wuauclt /cleanupdate
“`
2. The utility will start cleaning up the Windows Update cache. This process may take a few minutes to complete.

Step 3: Verify the Cache Deletion

After the clean-up process is complete, you can verify that the Windows Update cache has been deleted by checking the disk space usage. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key and type “Disk Cleanup” in the search box.
2. Click on “Disk Cleanup” to open the utility.
3. Select the drive where your Windows installation is located (usually the C: drive) and click “OK.”
4. Check the box next to “Windows Update files” and click “OK.”
5. The utility will calculate the amount of disk space you can free up by deleting the Windows Update files. Make sure the “Windows Update files” option is selected and click “OK” to delete them.

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

To ensure that the changes take effect, restart your Windows computer. This will finalize the deletion of the Windows Update cache and help improve your system’s performance.

By following these steps, you can successfully delete the Windows Update cache on your Windows computer. This will help free up disk space and potentially improve your system’s performance. Remember to perform this task periodically to maintain optimal system health.