How to Fix Disk Cleanup Stuck on Windows Update Cleanup?

Windows Disk Cleanup is an effective way to clear out unnecessary files, ensuring the system runs smoothly. However, when installing new Windows updates, the operating system often retains old Windows files, allowing users to revert to a previous OS version if necessary. Eventually, it's crucial to delete these files to free up disk space on your computer.

When it comes to deleting these Windows Updates, the system disk cleanup tool gets stuck on the Windows Update cleanup process. If you find yourself in this frustrating situation, we've got you covered. Our tools present the simplest methods to handle this issue.

Quick Method: Run a Third-Party Disk Analyzer

Before delving into detailed solutions, we suggest trying an automated Space Analyzer to fix the disk cleanup getting stuck on the Windows Update cleanup issue. The Partition Master Professional is the best space analyzer tool, providing an intuitive space analysis feature. It enables users to inspect and delete temporary items and junk files, such as old Windows Update files and the SoftwareDistribution folder. Furthermore, Partition Master is an all-in-one solution to assist you with partition management, converting disk partition styles, OS migration, and much more.

Download and try Partition Master to get the best experience of the Space Analyzer.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and turn to Tools. Find and download Space Analyzer beneath the Frequent Used Tools.

Step 2. In the Space Analyzer pop-up window, select the target disk to be analyzed and click Analyze in the upper-right corner.

Click Analyze.

Step 3. Wait a moment, and you'll see the detailed data. Click on Folder/File to view different data categories, and click the small folder icon to see more details within the file.

7 Ways to Fix Disk Cleanup Stuck on Windows Update Cleanup

This section will guide you through seven effective methods to resolve and handle the issue of "disk cleanup stuck on Windows update cleanup." Delve into these techniques to improve the cleaning efficiency of your Windows system.

Here are the translations of the provided text into English:
1. Method 1. Manually Delete the Software Distribution Folder
2. Method 2. Manually Delete the Contents of the Windows.old Folder
3. Method 3. Repair Corrupted System Files
4. Method 4. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
5. Method 5. Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)
6. Method 6. Run System File Checker (SFC)
7. Method 7. Run Disk Cleanup in a Clean Boot State

If you find this tutorial helpful, don't forget to share it with others.

Method 1: Manually Delete the Software Distribution Folder

The Windows operating system saves all its update files in the SoftwareDistribution folder. Once the downloads are successful, the OS retrieves these files from the folder to install the updates. If, for any reason, the files become corrupted, the system runs a cleanup process. Hence, you need to delete each file from this folder. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Go to "File Explorer" and paste the following path into the address bar:

Local Disk (C:)\Windows

Step 2: Navigate and open the "SoftwareDistribution" folder.

Step 3: Select and delete all the folders it contains.

Delete the Software Distribution folder

This might fix the "Disk Cleanup stuck on Windows Update cleanup" error. If the problem persists, try deleting files from the Windows.old folder.

SOLVED: DISM /Online/Cleanup-Image/Restorehealth Stuck

What should I do if DISM /Online/Cleanup-Image/Restorehealth is stuck? Don't panic, this page offers a solution to fix DISM being stuck at 20%, 40%, 62%, or 100%. We'll also provide you with one of the most comprehensive tools to repair corrupted system files.

Method 2: Manually Delete the Contents of the Windows.old Folder

When upgrading a Windows computer to the latest version, the operating system preserves the previous edition in a folder named "Windows.old." This allows users to revert to the older OS if needed but can lead to issues, such as the disk cleanup process getting stuck on "Windows Update Cleanup." To resolve this, you'll need to manually remove the contents of the Windows.old folder. Follow these steps: 1. **Access the Disk Cleanup Tool**: Click on the Start button, type "Disk Cleanup" in the search bar, and press Enter. Select your primary drive (usually C:) and click "OK." 2. **Select Additional Options**: In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, click on "Clean up system files" to access more options. 3. **Include Windows.old**: In the new window, scroll down and check the box next to "Previous Windows installation(s)" or "Old Windows installations," depending on your version of Windows. 4. **Confirm Deletion**: Click "OK" and then confirm the deletion when prompted. The process may take some time, especially if you have a large amount of data in the Windows.old folder. 5. **Delete Files Manually**: If the above method doesn't work or if the cleanup tool is stuck, you can delete the Windows.old folder directly. Press "Win + E" to open File Explorer, navigate to the root of the C: drive, and locate the "Windows.old" folder. 6. **Take Ownership**: Right-click on "Windows.old," select "Properties," then click the "Security" tab. Click "Advanced," and then "Change" next to "Owner." Type "Administrators" in the "Enter the object name to select" field, and click "OK." Check the "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" box, then click "OK" again. 7. **Grant Permissions**: Back in the "Properties" window, under the "Security" tab, click "Edit." Add the "Administrators" group, give them "Full control," and apply the changes to all subfolders and files. 8. **Delete the Folder**: Now, right-click "Windows.old," and choose "Delete." Confirm the deletion when prompted. After deleting the Windows.old folder, restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Keep in mind that removing this folder will permanently eliminate the option to roll back to the previous version of Windows.

Step 1: Go to "File Explorer" and paste the following path into the address bar:

C:Windows.old

Step 2: Select and delete all the files manually, then close the File Explorer.

Additionally, there's another method to delete the Windows.old folder, which is a more seamless approach that doesn't require deleting files one by one. All you need to do is execute a few command prompt commands. Follow these quick steps:

Step 1: In the "Windows search" bar, type "cmd."

Step 2: Right-click the first result and click "Run as administrator."

Step 3: Type or paste each of the following commands individually, and press the "Enter" key after each command.

Here are the translations of the provided commands into English: 1. `takeown /F C:Windows.old* /R /A` This command takes ownership of all files and subfolders within the `C:\Windows.old` directory, recursively (`/R`), and assigns ownership to the Administrators group (`/A`). 2. `cacls C:Windows.old*.* /T /grant administrators:F` This command changes the access control list (ACL) for all files (`*.*`) in the `C:\Windows.old` directory and its subdirectories (`/T`), granting full control (`F`) to the Administrators group. 3. `rmdir /S /Q C:Windows.old*.*` This command removes (recursively, `/S`) all directories and files (`*.*`) within the `C:\Windows.old` directory quietly (`/Q`, meaning without user confirmation). Note that `rmdir` is often used as an alias for `rd`, which stands for "remove directory."

Once it's done, close the Command Prompt window and check if the issue has been fixed.

Further Reading: Unable to Delete Windows.old Folder in Windows 11/10

Method 3: Repair Corrupted System Files Method 3: Repair Corrupted System Files

Tools Partition Master is an automated utility designed to repair corrupted system files without requiring prior technical knowledge or complicated procedures. It is a user-friendly and stable tool that effectively cleans junk files from your Windows system. You might be wondering if the Windows operating system provides built-in tools to fix corrupted system files. However, these often require a deep understanding of executing various command prompt commands. Therefore, Tools Partition Master distinguishes itself by simplifying the process of optimizing and repairing damaged system files.

Key features:

Here are the translations in English:
• Potent scanning and file-repairing capabilities.
• Automatically cleans unnecessary files for improved system performance.
• No risk of losing vital data.
• Universal compatibility with all Windows versions.

Click here to download the tool Partition Master to easily repair corrupted system files.

Step 1. Right-click the problematic partition.

Step 2. Choose "Advanced" > "Check File System".

Step 3. Confirm whether you want to hide the partition or not.

Step 4. In the Check File System window, select the "Try to fix errors if found" option.

Step 5. Click "Start" to begin checking for errors on the selected partition.

Method 4: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update Troubleshooter is a tool designed to identify and resolve issues with initial Windows problems. To address the issue of disk cleanup being stuck on the Windows update cleanup error, follow these straightforward steps:

Step 1: Press the "Windows Key" and select the "Gear icon" to open the Settings window.

Step 2: Select "Update and Security" from the left panel.

Step 3: Click to expand the "Troubleshoot" tab, then select "Windows Update."

Step 4: Choose the "Run the troubleshooter" option and let the Windows Update Troubleshooter scan for the problem.

Run the troubleshooter

Once the process is complete, check if the issue has been resolved.

Method 5: Run DISM

You can attempt to run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to fix corrupted or missing system files, which often cause the "Disk Cleanup stuck on Windows Update cleanup" error. DISM is a built-in utility designed to address such issues. Follow these simple steps to run the DISM command on a Windows computer:

Step 1: Press the "Windows Key" and type "cmd."

Step 2: Right-click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator."

Run Command Prompt as administrator

Step 3: Once cmd is open, type or paste each of the following commands individually, and press "Enter" after each one.

These commands are already in English, but here they are again for clarity: 1. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth 2. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth 3. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth These are command-line instructions used to diagnose and repair system images in Windows using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.

These DISM commands will detect and repair any corrupted files causing the error. After the process completes, verify if the issue has been resolved. If it persists, attempt using the SFC command.

Method 6. Run System File Checker This is the translation in English: Method 6. Run System File Checker

System File Checker (SFC) is a powerful command that scans and repairs corrupted or missing system files on a Windows operating system. It can also assist in resolving the issue where Disk Cleanup becomes stuck on the Windows Update cleanup error. To run System File Checker on your Windows computer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the "Windows Key," then type "Command Prompt."

Step 2: Right-click the first result, "Command Prompt," and select the "Run as administrator" option from the list.

Step 3: Enter the following command and press the "Enter" key.

sfc /scannow

Step 4: This will initiate a process to scan for any corrupted or missing system files. SFC will automatically repair any issues it finds.

Method 7: Run Disk Cleanup in a Clean Boot

A clean boot lets your Windows computer start without loading extra services. This rules out the possibility of other programs on your computer causing issues. Sometimes, additional software or third-party apps can lead to hundreds of problems with disk cleanup tools, preventing the system from running the process and resulting in errors like "Disk Cleanup stuck on Windows Update cleanup." Here are the detailed steps to perform a disk cleanup with a clean boot:

Step 1: Press "Win + R" to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type "msconfig" and press "Enter"

Step 3: Takes you to the System Configuration window, then choose the "Services Tab."

Step 4: Check the box next to "Hide All Microsoft Services" and click the "Disable All" button.

Step 5: Choose the "Startup" tab from the top menu, and click the "Open Task Manager" option.

Step 6: Select all the startup items and click the "Disable" option in the bottom right corner.

Step 7: Close the Task Manager and go back to the System tab.

Step 8: Click "OK" to save the changes.

After closing all programs, exit Task Manager.

Step 9: Restart your computer in a clean boot state. This way, you can verify if the Disk Cleanup is stuck on Windows Update Cleanup.

Bonus Tip: Best Alternative to Disk Cleanup on Windows Bonus Tip: Best Alternative to Disk Cleanup in Windows

Tools Partition Master Suite is the optimal alternative for disk cleanup without the need for manual procedures. We suggest giving Tools CleanGenius a try due to its superior disk optimization and cleaning methods. Its user-friendly interface allows you to easily clean your disk without any confusion. It streamlines the cleaning process and gives you the power to manage your computer's performance effectively.

Download the tool CleanGenius for a seamless disk cleaning experience on your Windows computer.

Step 1. DOWNLOAD and install the free tool Partition Master, then launch it on your Windows PC.

On the suite, hover your mouse on "PC Cleaner", click the Download icon to install and launch CleanGenius.

Step 2. On CleanGenius, select "Cleanup" on the main screen, and click "Scan" to start scanning.

Step 3. When the scan is over, select the useless large files and click “Clean” to get rid of them.

Step 4. When CleanGenius finishes cleaning the files you selected, click “Done” to complete the process.

Conclusion

We hope this guide assists you in learning how to resolve the issue of disk cleanup being stuck on Windows Update cleanup. The effectiveness of manual methods varies depending on the root cause of the problem. However, using a tool like Partition Master can perform disk cleanup without encountering any stalls during the process. Its advanced algorithm ensures it is a powerful utility for removing unnecessary files without compromising important data.

Don't forget to share this tutorial with anyone who might benefit from this information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Disk Cleanup Stuck on Windows Update Cleanup

This FAQ section is devoted to addressing any further questions or requests for more information regarding the subject discussed on this page. Don't hesitate to seek detailed assistance.

**1. How long does it take to clean up Windows Update?**

The time it takes for a Windows Update cleanup depends on the configuration of your Windows system. It can also vary depending on the quantity of data. Generally, it may take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour.

< strong >2. Why is Disk Cleanup stuck on Windows Update cleanup?

There could be several reasons why Disk Cleanup might get stuck on Windows Update cleanup. It could be due to corrupted Windows files, large data files, or running processes that are hindering the operating system from completing the cleanup process.

3. Why is the Windows Update cleanup taking so long?

The volume of data or system resource allocation for the cleanup might cause the Windows Update cleanup to take a long time.