How to Free Up Space by Moving SoftwareDistribution Folder

Your computer stores downloaded Windows updates in a folder called SoftwareDistribution located at C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Over time, this folder grows significantly. If your main drive is small, this can lead to low disk space errors, which prevents Windows from installing critical security patches. Moving this folder to a larger secondary drive helps you free up space on your primary drive and can improve SSD longevity by reducing constant write cycles on your main system partition.

What happens when done?

Once you complete these steps, Windows will treat your new folder location as the official storage path for all future updates. Your system will continue to function normally, and you will regain valuable gigabytes on your primary drive without breaking the update process.

When to use this method

This method is best for power users who are consistently running out of space on their primary C: drive. If you have a small SSD, this is a great way to manage storage. However, if you have plenty of free space, it is better to use built-in tools like Windows Storage Sense first to clean up temporary files.

Risks and Considerations

Using a symbolic link is a powerful way to redirect folders, but it carries risks. If the secondary drive is disconnected or fails, Windows Update will stop working entirely. Additionally, improper use of the mklink command can cause system instability. Always ensure your secondary drive is reliable and always connected to your PC.

Step 1: Create a New Folder

Pick a drive with plenty of space. Create a new folder there and name it something like NewSoftwareDistribution. For this example, we will use the E:\ drive.

E:\NewSoftwareDistribution

Step 2: Stop the Windows Update Services

You must stop the services that manage updates before moving the files. Requires admin privileges.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run this script to stop the necessary services:

mklink /j c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution e:\NewSoftwareDistribution

This stops both the wuauserv (Windows Update) and bits (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) to ensure no files are in use.

Step 3: Rename the Old Folder

Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows. Find the folder named SoftwareDistribution. Right-click it and select Rename. Change the name to delete-windows-old-folder-in-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="22811">SoftwareDistribution.old. Requires admin privileges.

Step 4: Create a Symbolic Link

You need to tell Windows to look at the new folder instead of the old one. This is done using a symbolic link or junction point. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type the following command:

mklink /j C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution E:\NewSoftwareDistribution

If successful, you will see a message confirming the junction was created. You will now see a shortcut icon on the original folder in C:\Windows.

Step 5: Move Files and Restart Services

Copy the contents from your old folder (SoftwareDistribution.old) to your new folder (E:\NewSoftwareDistribution). Once finished, restart your services using this command in your admin Command Prompt:

net start wuauserv
net start bits

Summary

Moving your Windows update cache is an effective way to reclaim space on a crowded C: drive. By using the mklink command, you create a seamless bridge between your system and a secondary drive. For more information on how Windows manages these files, visit the official Microsoft documentation.