Software Distribution Folder contains all the downloaded updates and if it messed up with several incomplete downloaded items, it refuses to sync with the Microsoft server and doesn’t allow you to update your Windows 10/8/7. It means you will get some kind of update fails error messages along with an error code starting with 0x.
Location of Software Distribution Folder
You may find this folder at following location:
C: > Windows > SoftwareDistribution
Clear SoftwareDistribution Folder
In order to clear the SoftwareDistribution Folder, go to the following location and simply select all items and delete them.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Step 2: Type and execute following commands one by one.
net stop wuauserv (press enter)
net stop bits (press enter)
Step 3 : Go to the C: > Windows > SoftwareDistribution
Step 4: Select All item by pressing Ctrl + A
Step 5: Delete All items
If it doesn’t allow you to delete the items, it means some items are being used by another program. Just restart the PC and follows all the steps once again. After deleting all the items you must restart the Windows Update agent and BITS Services.
Step 6: Go to Administrative Command Prompt again and execute the following commands.
net start wuauserv (press enter)
net start bits (press enter)
Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Step 2: Stop Windows Updated Agent Service and BITS. Execute following command one by one.
net stop wuauserv (press enter)
net stop bits (press enter)
Step 3: Type following command in command prompt and press enter.
rename c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution_old
Step 4: Start Windows Update Agent Service and BITS. Execute following commands one by one.
net start wuauserv (press enter)
net start bits (press enter)
Once you Reset the Software Distribution Folder, try to Update Windows again. It might take a longer time than usual to connect to Microsoft Server because you have emptied the folder and Windows need to recreate all the databases and other items. Once connected you will notice that everything is going well and your windows start updating themselves.
Why doesn’t this Method work?
Sometimes, due to several other reasons like registry corruption, missing system files or damage by viruses cause update fails issue. In this situation Resetting Software Distribution Folder won’t help you so you need a powerful system optimizer tool to fix deep windows problems. Here, we recommend using Advanced System Repair Tool to fix Windows Update Problems. You can download this tool-free.
Summary
In this article, I explained how you can Reset, Delete, Rename or Empty the software distribution folder in Windows 10/8/7.