How to Clear Windows Update Cache upon Update Failure

We all know that generally speaking, Windows Updates help solve old problems while bringing in new problems. Every once in a while, the update process itself fails, and you’re left with updates that don’t fully install, and can’t be removed from the update queue.

 

Here is a simple trick to clear that update cache in order to re-try the update or to disable it on your next Windows Update attempt.

1. Open Command Prompt by Start -> Run and type "cmd"

2. On the Command Prompt, type "net stop wuauserv". This is done so that you will terminate the windows automatic update service to allow us to delete the cache files

3. Still on the Command Prompt, type "cd /d %windir%" or "cd\windows"

4. Type "rd /s SoftwareDistribution"

5. Thats it, the cache has been purged. Now we need to restart the windows automatic update service again. To do that, type "net start wuauserv"