How to Free Up Space by Moving SoftwareDistribution Folder
The SoftwareDistribution folder stores downloaded updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 and often grows past 20GB, which quickly fills up small C: drives. Located at 📁C:\
Moving this folder to a secondary drive or partition frees up heavy disk space while keeping Windows Update working normally. Shifting the folder stops low-disk space warnings without breaking your update history.
Move the SoftwareDistribution folder by stopping Windows Update services, renaming the old folder to SoftwareDistribution.old, creating a new folder on a secondary drive (e.g., 📁E:\
When to use this method
Consider moving the SoftwareDistribution folder when the main C: drive sits consistently full, especially on a small SSD.
Risks and Considerations
Moving this folder using a symbolic link (a pointer that connects one folder to another location) carries a few risks. If your secondary drive disconnects, Windows Update stops working until you reconnect it.
Step 1Create a New Folder
Creating a new folder on a different drive is the first step when you move SoftwareDistribution folder contents to free up space on your main drive. Pick a drive with plenty of free storage, create a folder there, and name it something clear like NewSoftwareDistribution so you can easily find it during the setup process.
This command builds a symbolic link (an advanced shortcut that points Windows to a new file path). This ensures Windows Update continues working properly after you move the folder. Running mklink /j C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution E:\NewSoftwareDistribution establishes this necessary link.
Step 2Stop the Windows Update Services
Stopping the Windows Update services prevents Windows from locking the files you need to move SoftwareDistribution folder data safely. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the stop commands so Windows stops using those files, which lets you copy and delete them without getting error messages.
This initial step remains vital for clearing storage capacity without throwing file-in-use exceptions.
mklink /j c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution e:\NewSoftwareDistributionThis action halts both the wuauserv (Windows Update) and bits (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) services, ensuring no files remain locked.
Step 3Rename the Old Folder
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows. Locate the SoftwareDistribution folder, right-click it, and choose Rename. Change the name to SoftwareDistribution.old. Administrative privileges are required for this action.
Step 4Create a Symbolic Link
Creating a symbolic link (a file pointer that tricks Windows into looking at a new location) lets you successfully move SoftwareDistribution folder files without breaking system updates. Run the junction command in Command Prompt to link your original path to your new drive so Windows keeps working normally.
mklink /j C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution E:\NewSoftwareDistribution
A confirmation message appears when the junction builds successfully. A shortcut icon emerges on the original folder inside C:\Windows.
Step 5Move Files and Restart Services
Copy the contents from the old directory (SoftwareDistribution.old) into the new destination (E:\NewSoftwareDistribution). Restart the system services afterward by executing this command within an administrative Command Prompt window:
net start wuauserv net start bits
Summary
Moving the update cache reclaims gigabytes of space on a full C: drive. Review the official Microsoft documentation for additional details on how Windows handles cache management.
Will moving the SoftwareDistribution folder break Windows Update?
Windows Update functions normally when executed correctly. The symbolic link redirects the path so the operating system reads the original location while the actual data resides on secondary storage, allowing patches to install without interference.
Can I delete the old SoftwareDistribution folder after moving it?
The SoftwareDistribution.old folder can be deleted safely once file transfers finish and Windows Update verifies successfully. This action finalizes the disk cleanup on the primary drive. Always maintain a valid backup before removing system directories.
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!