How to Free Up Space by Moving SoftwareDistribution Folder

This guide explains how to move your Windows Update download folder to a different drive. This is helpful if your main drive is running out of room.

Why do this? Your computer stores update files in a folder called SoftwareDistribution. Over time, this folder can get very large. If your main drive is full, Windows might fail to install important updates. Moving this folder to a drive with more space solves this problem.

What happens when done? Windows will automatically start saving new update files to the new location you choose instead of your main drive. Your system will continue to update normally.

Step 1: Create a New Folder

First, pick a new drive that has plenty of free 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 Service

You need to stop Windows from using the folder while you move it. Requires admin privileges.

Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Go to the “Services” tab. Find the service named wuauserv. Right-click it and select Stop.

Step 3: Rename the Old Folder

Open File Explorer File Explorer and go to C:\Windows. Find the folder named “SoftwareDistribution.” Right-click it and select Rename. Change the name to “SoftwareDistribution.old.” You will need to click “Yes” to confirm this change. Requires admin privileges.

Step 4: Create a Link to the New Folder

Now, tell Windows to look at the new folder instead of the old one using a “Symbolic Link.” Click the Start button, search for “cmd,” right-click it, and select Run as administrator open the Command Prompt as administrator.

Type the following command into the window and press Enter:

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

If it worked, you will see a message saying the junction was created. You will now see a new folder in C:\Windows with a small arrow icon.

Step 5: Move Old Files and Restart

If you want to keep your previous updates, copy the files from your old “SoftwareDistribution.old” folder into your new “NewSoftwareDistribution” folder copy the content from.

Finally, go back to the Task Manager Task Manager, find wuauserv in the Services tab, right-click it, and select Start.

Summary

By moving the SoftwareDistribution folder, you free up space on your primary hard drive. Using a symbolic link allows Windows to keep working as if nothing changed, while storing large update files on a different, larger drive. This keeps your system running smoothly and prevents update errors caused by low disk space.