How to Remove Downloaded, Failed & Pending Windows Updates?

In earlier days, there may be times when the Windows Update provides many problems on your Windows 10/8/ seven computer. You might even search for some pending Windows Updates which refuses to install due to some reasons even after several attempts. In such situation, you should consider deleting the pending and failed Windows Updates which are incompletely downloaded to your computer system and then you need to try to restart the installation process once again when you restart your computer.

Steps to Remove Download, Failed, Pending Windows Update

Remove Contents of the Temporary Folder 

Remove all the downloaded, failed and pending Windows 10 updates by easily using the ‘Run’ command.

1. Click to open ‘Run’ dialog box by clicking together Win+R
2. Then, click to type %temp%
3. Click on the Enter tab.
4. Select files and folders within the Temp folder
5. Now, click on the delete tab, to delete it

However, a %temp% is one of many other environment variables in Windows that can easily open the folder which is designated by Windows as your Temporary folder, usually located at C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp.

Remove Pending.Xml File

Navigate towards the C:\Windows\WinSxS\ folder, look for a pending.xml file and then rename it. You might even delete it. It will also allow Windows Update to easily delete all pending tasks and also build a fresh new update check.

Delete Contents of Software Distribution Folder

First, you need to delete all the contents of the Software Distribution folder. Though, the Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder which is located in the Windows directory and also used for temporarily storing all files that might be required to install the Windows Update on your computer system. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and easily maintained by the WUAgent. It will also contain your Windows Update History files, and when you delete them then the chances to lose your Update history are higher. Furthermore, next time run the Windows Update easily so that it will result in longer detection time.

Remove all the contents of the Software Distribution folder in the Windows 10 from the WinX Menu you need to follow the steps:

1. Click to open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type the below-given words one after the other:

• net stop wuauserv
• net stop bits

3. Now, click on the Enter
4. Finally, Windows Update Service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service will stop
5. Click to browse “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution” folder and delete all the inside folders and files.
6. Now, click on Ctrl+A, to select all
7. Click on the Delete tab

Note: When files are in use, and you are unable to delete a few files, then you need to restart your device. And after completing the rebooting, run the above commands again.

8. Now, click to delete files from the mentioned Software Distribution folder.
9. Finally, restart your computer system, or you might need to type the following commands:

• net start wuauserv
• net start bits

10. Click on the Enter, to restart the Windows Update related Services.

Reset catroot2 Folder

To reset the catroot2 folder that has been known to troubleshoot various other Windows Update problems

The Catroot and catroot2 are the Windows operating system folders which are mandatory for the Windows Update process. Sometimes when you run the Windows Update, then the catroot2 folder automatically stores the signatures of the Windows Update package, and it will also help in its installation process. However, the Cryptographic service will surely make the use of the   “%windir%\System32\catroot2\edb.log” file just for the process of updating. All updates are temporarily stored in the Software Distribution folder which is again used by the Automatic Updates only to carry out the updating process.

We highly recommend you that do not delete or rename the Catroot folder. Though the Catroot2 folder is automatically recreated by the Windows, but the Catroot folder is not recreated if the Catroot folder is even renamed by anyone.

 Source : https://askmesetup.com/how-to-remove-downloaded-failed-pending-windows-updates/