C:\WINDOWS\Software Distribution\Download\

[stockhausen]

I have got a 230Mb file in the directory "C:\WINDOWS\Software Distribution\Download\", it has a meaningless name based on a long series of letters and numbers (3dcebae0dd71284ac . . . etc.).

Does anyone know what this might be and if I can safely delete it?

In fact, can I safely clear out the entire C:\WINDOWS\Software Distribution\Download\ directory which currently contains over 1GB in very strangely named folders (274) and files (3,784).

Is this where "Windows Updates" installation and uninstallation data is stored?

OS is patched Windows XP SP3.

Thanks for any useful advice

 

[SourChipmunk]

Personally, I'd re-name the files and run the system for a week or so to see if any problems arise. They should just be temp files from Windows Updates, and usually they clean themselves out. Might have problems if you ever have to uninstall the updates for some reason.

Go through your disk cleanup wizard first and see if it does anything with them.

 

[Moley]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=windows+software+distribution

 

[Deathwish]

If you stop the Automatic Updates service you can safely delete the whole C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder, starting the Automatic Update service will re-generate a new folder.

Do it often at work to fix WSUS related problems.

 

[stockhausen]

If you stop the Automatic Updates service you can safely delete the whole C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder, starting the Automatic Update service will re-generate a new folder.

Do it often at work to fix WSUS related problems.

Many thanks for that

I have made a backup of the "System" partition using Acronis 11 and will now delete the contents of the ...\Download\ directory and see how it goes over the next few days. The rest of the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution directory doesn't seem to be taking up so much space. I used to delete the NT$ stuff but that seems to have disappeared nowadays

 

[MikeHunt79]

If you stop the Automatic Updates service you can safely delete the whole C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder, starting the Automatic Update service will re-generate a new folder.

Do it often at work to fix WSUS related problems.

I've been having a problem with a certain update, I'll give this a go...