How to delete downloaded and pending updates in Windows 11
If you are using the latest Windows 11 operating system, you may know that the operating system receives frequent updates. Most often or not, Microsoft pushes a new update to the operating system and forces you to install it as soon as possible.
Yes, Windows 11 updates are important, but sometimes we don't have enough space on our system to install them. Also, the fear of losing system stability after installing the update cannot be ruled out.
Therefore, if you are someone who does not prefer to install Windows 11 updates, even after downloading them, you may find this article very useful. In this article, we will share some of the best ways to delete Windows 11, failed, or pending Windows 11 updates.
3 Ways to Delete Downloaded, Failed and Pending Updates in Windows 11
The methods that we are going to share will not disable Windows 11 updates; it will only help you delete the file that has already been downloaded, failed or in a waiting state. So, let's check out the methods.
1) Delete downloaded Windows 11 updates
In this method, we will manually delete updates that have been downloaded but are waiting for installation. Therefore, if you do not want to install the downloaded updates, you need to follow this method.
1. First of all, open File Explorer on your computer.
2. Next, go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
3. In the download folder, you need to press the CTRL + A button to select all files.
4. Once selected, right-click on any of the files and select the Delete option.
5. At the confirmation prompt, click the Delete button again.
Is that him! It's done. This will delete downloaded Windows 11 updates. After that, Windows 11 will not force you to install any pending updates.
2) Delete files stored in the temporary folder
Well, the temporary folder does not have a link to Windows 11 updates, but you still need to delete temporary files to make sure that all downloaded files are deleted and no trace is left for them. Here's how to delete files stored in the temporary folder.
1. First, press the Windows Key + R button located on your keyboard. This will open the RUN dialog box.
2. In the RUN dialog box, type %temp% and press the Enter button.
3. This will open the Temp folder of your computer. Now press the Ctrl + A button to select all files.
4. Now, right-click any of the selected files and click the Delete button.
Is that him! It's done. This is how you can clean the temp folder on your Windows 11 computer.
3) Remove the Pending.xml file
Well, the Pending.xml file is created automatically when you download an update and choose another time for installation. Because of this file, Windows 11 asks you to choose another time to install the update. Thus, after following the two methods, you need to delete the Pending.xml file as well.
1. First of all, open File Explorer on your Windows 11 computer.
2. In File Explorer, go to C:\Windows\WinSxS
3. Now, in the WinSxS folder, scroll down to the end. You will find a Pending.xml .
4. Right click the Pending.xml and select the Delete option.
Is that him! It's done. This will delete the Pending.xml file on your Windows 11 computer.
So, these are the best ways to delete downloaded, failed, or pending Windows 11 updates. Hope this article helped you! Please share it with your friends as well.