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[4 Fixes] Windows 10 Disk Cleanup Stuck on Windows Update Cleanup
If you encounter Windows 10 Disk Cleanup stuck on Windows Update cleanup, you can refer to the 4 fixes in this article. It will help you effectively fix Windows update cleanup stuck issue.
By Irene / Updated on February 10, 2025
Why Disk Cleanup gets stuck on Windows update cleanup?
Disk Cleanup is a useful tool to remove unnecessary files and keep your system running smoothly. However, when Windows installs updates, it keeps old system files in case you need to revert to a previous version. Over time, these files take up space and should be removed.
When you run Disk Cleanup on your system drive, you might face an issue where the process gets stuck on "Windows Update Cleanup." This prevents you from completing the cleanup.
Why does this happen? The main reasons are usually corrupted or missing system files or interference from third-party software. If you encounter this issue, don’t worry—you can fix it by following a few simple steps.
The best alternative to Disk Cleanup
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a great alternative to Disk Cleanup for optimizing and cleaning your disk without manual effort. It offers an easy-to-use interface, making disk cleanup simple and hassle-free. With this tool, you can manage your computer’s storage efficiently and improve its performance.
While Windows’ built-in Disk Cleanup is useful for removing junk files, accidentally deleting important system files can put your PC at risk. To avoid this, AOMEI Partition Assistant provides a safer and more effective solution. It goes beyond basic cleanup, offering powerful features to optimize your Windows computer.
For instance, the Wipe Hard Drive feature lets you completely erase all data in a few steps, preparing the disk for reuse. The App Mover feature helps transfer installed programs and personal files to another drive, freeing up space on your original disk. For more information, you can move to this part.
Download AOMEI Partition Assistant today for a smooth and secure disk cleanup experience.
AOMEI Partition AssistantThe Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
It can thoroughly scan your PC by automatically categorizing all garbage files, and you can pick which files to keep or delete based on your needs, delivering surprising results in freeing up disk space.
Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, and you can click "Free up" on the top bar to find "PC Cleaner".
Step 2. Select "Start Scan" in the pop-up window
Step 3. Wait patiently until the process completes.
Step 4. When it ends, you can see the sorted junk files. Tick the options and then select "Clean All" to clean your PC.
Step 5. All the process is done when you see the icon. Click "Back" and you can enjoy a clean computer now.
How to fix Windows 10 Disk Cleanup stuck issue?
There are 4 effective and practical fixes for solving Disk Cleanup on Windows Update Cleanup. You can follow the steps to easily fix the issue.
Method 1. Check the SoftwareDistribution folder or delete it
Windows saves all update files in the SoftwareDistribution folder. After downloading, the system uses these files to install updates. If the files get corrupted, Windows may try to clean them up. If you are unsure whether the update process is still ongoing, you can check the SoftwareDistribution folder located at “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution”. This folder contains temporary files and data required for the update.
While in the folder, right-click on an empty space and choose “Properties”. Monitor the folder's size to see if any new files are being added.
If the folder size remains the same, you can restart the Windows update using the following steps:
Step 1. Open the Start menu and search for "cmd". Select the "Run as administrator" option to open an elevated Command Prompt.
Step 2. Execute the commands "net stop wuauserv" and "net stop bits" sequentially. Then close the Command Prompt.
Step 3. Go to “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution” and select all the files and folders present. Or you can manually delete the folder as well. Right-click on the selected items and choose “Delete”. If you encounter any issues deleting them, restart your computer and attempt again.
Step 4. Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator. Run the commands "net start wuauserv" and "net start bits" one after the other. Finally, exit the Command Prompt.
Now, you can check whether the Windows 10 Disk Cleanup stuck issue still persists. If the issue still exists, try deleting files from Windows.old folder.
Method 2. Run SFC and DISM scans
If corrupted or missing system files cause the Windows Update Cleanup stuck error, you can run SFC and DISM scans to fix it. Here’s a simple guide to do that:
Step 1. Type command prompt in the Search box, find Command Prompt from the list, right click it and choose Run as administrator.
Step 2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter. Wait for the process to be completed. If you get this message: Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations, back after the checking. It means there is nothing wrong with your system files.
To perform a DISM scan, type this command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
Method 3. Run Windows Update Troubleshooting
The Windows Update Troubleshooter is a tool that helps detect and fix common Windows issues. You can use it to resolve the Windows Update Cleanup stuck error. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
Step 2. In the Additional troubleshooters window, locate Windows Update, click on it, and select Run the troubleshooter.
Step 3. Wait for the troubleshooter to scan for problems and apply any necessary fixes. Afterward, restart your PC, and check whether the Disk Cleanup stuck issue on Windows Update Cleanup be fixed.
Method 4. Run Disk Cleanup on Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with only essential services, preventing other programs from interfering. Sometimes, third-party software can cause issues with Disk Cleanup, leading to errors like Windows Update Cleanup stuck. Running Disk Cleanup in a clean boot can help resolve Windows Update Cleanup stuck issue. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter to open System Configuration.
Step 2. Go to the Services tab, check Hide All Microsoft Services, then click Disable All.
Step 3. Switch to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
Step 4. In Task Manager, disable all startup items by selecting each one and clicking Disable. Then close Task Manager.
Step 5. Click OK in the System Configuration window to save the changes.
Step 6. Restart your computer in Clean Boot mode and check if Disk Cleanup runs properly.
Bouns tip: More options provided by the AOMEI software to clean up your disk
If you want to effectively free up space, AOMEI Partition Assistant offers many other options for you. This multifunctional software can not only help you fix the issue like Windows 10 Disk Cleanup stuck, but also it is beneficial to regular PC maintenance.
AOMEI Partition AssistantThe Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Option 1. Move installed apps to another drive
When you download programs, they are automatically saved in the Downloads folder on the C drive, gradually reducing free space and slowing down your PC. Instead of uninstalling and reinstalling, users on Windows 10 can move installed software to another drive to free up space. AOMEI Partition Assistant offers the efficient features is “App Mover”. With this function, you can move your installed programs without any fear of unfamiliar operations.
To do so, you can click “Free up”, then select the “App Mover” feature.
If you want to move folders, you can choose "Move Folders".
Option 2. Delete Large Files
If large files take up too much space, your PC may slow down or even crash. To find and delete them, AOMEI Partition Assistant offers a "Delete Large Files" feature that scans disks and folders for files over 16MB. Important files are marked in red, so handle them carefully. To free up space, simply click "Delete Now".
Option 3. Remove duplicate files
Duplicate files are two or more identical files, they are usually copies generated when users copy a file from one path to another or save the file twice or more times. Windows 10 does not have a built-in duplicate file finder, only some manual options to locate duplicates. To remove them easily, you can use AOMEI Partition Assistant for finding and deleting duplicate files with ease.
Click the "Free up" on the main tab and select "Duplicate Files Finder".
To sum up
Windows 10 Disk Cleanup stuck on Windows Update Cleanup may be caused by corrupted system files, third-party interference, or other reasons. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix this issue, including deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder, running SFC and DISM scans, using the Windows Update Troubleshooter, or performing a clean boot.
For a more efficient and safer alternative, AOMEI Partition Assistant provides powerful disk cleanup and optimization features, helping users manage their storage effortlessly. By following these solutions, you can keep your system running smoothly and free up valuable disk space.
