Safe to delete downloads in SoftwareDistribution folder?

Mr Smiley

Mr Smiley

Member
Vista Guru
Hi There!

I understand that my following query may have been addressed in a previous post, however, I have been unable to locate it so my apologies.

Can someone please confirm that it is completely safe to include the Local Disk (C) > Windows > SoftwareDistribution > Download folder as an inclusion to Delete in CCleaner?

Also, are there any other folders that contain 'junk' or consume space that CCleaner does not include automatically and once again, are safe to delete?

I would certainly welcome your comments and suggestions.

Best Regards

Neil
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-920
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R
    Memory
    8GB Kingston DDR3 1333MHz (4 x 2GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GV-N26OC-896H-B
    Sound Card
    N/A - On Board via SPDIF
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ 24" E2420HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080p Full HD
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital
    1 x TB Sata
    1 x 320GB Sata
    PSU
    Zalman 1000 Watt
    Case
    Antec Twelve Hundred
    Cooling
    1 x 200mm fan, 6 x 120mm fans, CPU & GPU fan
    Keyboard
    Cordless Logitech MX 5500 Revolution
    Mouse
    Bluetooth Logitech MX 5500 Laser
    Other Info
    2 x Liteon DVD Burners Sata
Hi!

That folder contains stuff that makes Windows Update go. Delete it, and at best you'll just have to watch and wait while the same data is sucked back down the next time you update your PC.

Why risk it? On the machine on which I type this the entire thing accounts for 83MB of HDD space, which is roughly, oooh, 0.03% of that particular partition. Unless your numbers are substantially different and you're desparately short on HDD space, I'd suggest leaving it alone.

There are better ways to recover far more space. For example, many people configure fixed-size pagefiles which are far bigger than they need. There's a few easy GB right there.
 

My Computer

System One

Hi H2S04

Thanks for your response.

I should of pointed out that I had already deleted all of the files in that particular folder which amounted to over 4.5GB of "Windows Updates" and it does not appear to have affected or been detrimental to my PC in any way and the data has not reappeared at all.

I am just after confirmation that it is okay that's all as it is not the first time I have deleted this folder using CCleaner and it has never caused any issues for me to date.

Regards, Neil
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-920
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R
    Memory
    8GB Kingston DDR3 1333MHz (4 x 2GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GV-N26OC-896H-B
    Sound Card
    N/A - On Board via SPDIF
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ 24" E2420HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080p Full HD
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital
    1 x TB Sata
    1 x 320GB Sata
    PSU
    Zalman 1000 Watt
    Case
    Antec Twelve Hundred
    Cooling
    1 x 200mm fan, 6 x 120mm fans, CPU & GPU fan
    Keyboard
    Cordless Logitech MX 5500 Revolution
    Mouse
    Bluetooth Logitech MX 5500 Laser
    Other Info
    2 x Liteon DVD Burners Sata
All that data does is provide windows update with it's history. When you delete the contents, Windows update will think it's never been run before. It won't effect the updates you've already installed, and won't prevent you from going to add/remove to remove them if need be.
 

My Computer

System One

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