Fix: Disk Cleanup Stuck at ‘Windows Update Cleanup’

If Disk Cleanup gets stuck at ‘Windows Update Cleanup’, it can be a real pain. This is because the Disk Cleanup tool is very useful for freeing up disk space on your computer.

In this article, we will show you how to fix this problem and get Disk Cleanup working again.

What is Windows Update Cleanup?

Microsoft provides Windows with a built-in system maintenance program known as Disk Cleanup. It scans and analyzes the files stored on your system to free up hard drive space. If the software discovers that the files are not being used or aren’t necessary, it will remove them, giving you additional room on your hard drive. This involves removing old cache files, error reports, temporary files, and other unnecessary data.

Windows Update Cleanup is a feature of the Disk Cleanup tool that was introduced in Windows Vista. It allows you to clean up the files that are left behind after you install a new update for Windows. These files can take up a lot of space on your hard drive, and they can accumulate over time if you don’t regularly clean them up.

Occasionally, the Disk Cleanup gets hung while cleaning Windows Update Cleanup on your system partition. For some users, waiting it out works, but if it stays frozen forever, it becomes a problem since you can’t use the tool.

If you’re stuck in this situation, don’t worry, we’ll show you how to fix it.

What causes the Disk Cleanup to Stuck on Windows Update Cleanup?

There are a few reasons why Disk Cleanup may get stuck on Windows Update Cleanup.

• One reason is that the Windows Update Files that are being cleaned up are in use by another program or process.
• Corrupt or missing system files can also cause this problem. System files are important for the smooth functioning of Windows. If they are missing or corrupt, it can cause the Disk Cleanup tool to get stuck.
• Another reason for this problem is third-party applications that interfere with the functioning of Disk Cleanup. These applications can prevent the tool from accessing or deleting certain files, which can cause it to get stuck.
• Finally, this problem can also be caused by a virus or malware infection. Viruses and malware can corrupt system files, which can cause the Disk Cleanup tool to get stuck.

How to Fix Disk Cleanup Stuck at ‘Windows Update Cleanup’?

There are a few different ways that you can fix this problem:

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

The first thing you should do is run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. This is a built-in tool that can help you fix problems with the Windows Update File which is causing the Disk Cleanup to stuck.

To run the troubleshooter, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start button and open Settings.
2. Switch to the System tab, and select Troubleshoot on the right.
3. Next, choose Other troubleshooters.
4. Under Other troubleshooters, click on the Run button next to Windows Update. This will start the Windows update troubleshooting and fix any detected problem.

Deleting SoftwareDistribution Folder

If the Windows Update Troubleshooter doesn’t fix the problem, you can try deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder. This folder is used by Windows Update to store temporary files. Deleting it will not affect your ability to install updates.

To delete the folder, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows +R key to open the run dialog box. Paste the command below and press “Enter.”

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Step 2: In the ‘Download‘ window, click Ctrl+A to highlight all the items.  Next,  delete the items by pressing the delete button.

Finally, restart your Windows 10 PC.

Delete Windows.old Folder

If you’ve recently upgraded to a new version of Windows, the Windows.old folder will be taking up space on your hard drive. This folder contains the files from your previous installation of Windows which might cause Disk Cleanup to stuck.

Once you’ve installed the new version of Windows and confirmed that it’s working properly, you can delete the Windows.old folder without any issue. The Windows.old folder is located in the drive where your Windows is installed.

Run DISM Tool

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a tool that can help you fix problems with your system files. It can also help you repair the Windows Component Store, which might be causing the problem.

To run the DISM tool, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
2. Type the following command and press the enter key: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3. The scan would take some time to finish.
4. After the scan is completed, restart the device.

Run SFC Tool

SFC (System File Checker) is a tool that can scan for and fix corrupt system files. This can be used for fixing the files causing the problem with Disk Cleanup.

To run the SFC tool, follow these steps:

1. From the Windows search bar, search and launch the Command Prompt with the administrator rights.
2. Type this command and hit the Enter key: sfc/scannow.
3. The scanning would start, and it would take some time to complete depending on your system configuration.
4. After the scan, if it found any problem, the solution would be automatically applied.
5. Close the Command Prompt window and restart your system.

Summing Up

The article provides several methods for fixing the Disk Cleanup tool when it becomes stuck on the “Windows Update Cleanup” option. These methods include running the Windows Update Troubleshooter, deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder, deleting the Windows.old folder, and running the DISM tool.

These are a few different ways that you can fix the problem of Disk Cleanup stuck on Windows Update Cleanup. If you’re still having trouble, you can contact Microsoft support for help.

Peter Brown

Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.