How To Clean Old Windows Update Files

Windows 7 received a new update allows you to easily gratuitous up some disk space by getting rid of onetime update files. Hither's a look at how this new update works.

Windows vii update, KB2852386, is at present available for all Windows 7 users via Windows Update. If you have automatic updates enabled, yous probably already take information technology installed. If you want to install the update , the x64 version can exist downloaded here. The x86 one is available at this address.

Note: It's worth mentioning that you'll need to be run Windows vii SP1 or higher in society for the update to piece of work for you.

The update cleans up the WinSxS store, a place where Windows stores sometime update files. That'due south done then you lot tin can later on roll back to previous updates in instance something doesn't piece of work as expected. Retrieve that, if you use this cleanup method, you may not be able to get back to an older update. However, in my experience, it's rarely needed, if ever, and y'all can do it manually if information technology'south absolutely necessary.

Delete Onetime Update Files in Windows seven

Using the new feature couldn't be easier. Open the Beginning carte and navigate to All Programs > Accessories > Organization Tools > Disk Cleanup. Alternately, you lot cantype:disk cleanup in the search box every bit explained in this article.

Next select your Organization Drive – in nearly cases that drive will be C:, but you may accept things configured differently.

If yous've used the Disk Cleanup tool earlier, you'll notice one little change. The Clean Up Arrangement Files push appears at the lesser of the window, as seen below.

Click that button; yous'll be asked to select the drive once more. Hither comes the part where you get to find out just how much disk space you lot can reclaim past deleting one-time updates. Coil down until you find Windows Update Cleanup.

Hither y'all can come across that old updates are using 3 GB of space on my drive.

There's one thing left to do if you lot desire to claim that space back. Make sure the box next to Windows Update Cleanup is ticked and click OK. You can, of form, tick whatever else you want to clean up. Yous'll be asked to confirm the deletion of those files.

If y'all Disk Cleanup once more and get in to Disk Cleanup over again, y'all'll see if the infinite has indeed been cleaned up.