Failed Windows Updates Causing Slowdowns? - Comments Page 1

I'm showing several Failed Updates, but mostly attempts to upgrade Windows 10. Why is that? Otherwise, the other failed updates were eventually successfully on a second or third attempt.

Hi Bob,

Usually I just go ahead and do as I'm told BUT the download folder contains 2,213 Files, 181 Folders.

It's less than a week since I upgraded to windows 10. There doesn't seem to be any slowdown but the SSD tends to speed everything up.

Should I really just delete 2,213 Files, 181 Folders? Then check for updates? Just checking before I destroy something essential.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You can rename the folder instead of deleting the contents. Then if needed, just rename it back.

Excellent - it might solve all my problems in one go !! BUT before I do it - does that apply to a) Windows 10 updates that have failed and b) folders in that directory [I guess yes but don't like to do anything too permanent without checking!]

Ewan

Excellent - it might solve all my problems in one go !! BUT before I do it - does that apply to a) Windows 10 updates that have failed and b) folders in that directory [I guess yes but don't like to do anything too permanent without checking!]

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, this applies to Windows 10 also.

How can I recognize the failed update files in the “Download” folder? There are a lot of folders and files, all with extensive numeric 'names'. Please help or can I just uninstall the failed downloads in "Update history"?

EDITOR'S NOTE: You can safely delete (or rename) the folder.

Bob,
I found 46 entries in the download folder. Some were folders and some were files. I had a bunch of failed updates, but I believe they were ultimately successfully installed since nothing was found after I searched for updates.
Nevertheless, I emptied the download folder. As to any performance improvement, it's hard to say. I probably hadn't noticed any significant lag time in the booting or shutdown processes before I did this, so any speed-up might have only been in the range of a few seconds. But still, it's good to know about what the folder is there for. I will keep an eye on my updates to see if any accumulate there.
Thanks again.

Thanks, but it did not work for me. All my failed updates continued to fail.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Must be the Fibonacci thing, sorry.

Hello Bob. Just checked Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and there are lots of folders named with letters and numbers. They contain .cab files. wordconv.cab for example - are these the failed files. Does this folder only contain the failed files and so it is safe to delete them all?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, it's safe to delete them all.

Thanks for the heads-up! I found a Software Distribution.old folder with several gigs of data. Removing it reduces the size of my backup images as well as scan times. Thanks again!!!

Ok, Bob. Thanks for the article. Now please keep in mind that there are folks still using XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 as well as #10. So please if you can: at least for the time being, give us a clue as to the equivalent of "File Explorer" (or whatever the #10 term may be)for those of us who do not have/use #10. Please. Thank you.

EDITOR'S NOTE: My instructions were not specific to Windows 10. On Win 7/8/10, the file folder icon (which starts the Explorer) is on the task bar at the bottom of your screen, near the Start button. If you still have XP or Vista, click Start and then My Computer to find and click the C: icon.

As I wrote once before, I have found the best way to keep my computer running smoothly is to turn-off Microsoft updates and buy the best anti-virus/malware programs available.

Of course, using common sense helps, like staying clear of unscrupulous sites and using caution with email attachments.

This procedure has worked for me for 21 years of computing.

The way you showed to find the failed updates didn't work, at least not in Win 10. I had to go to PC Settings, then click on Updates and Security. Then I clicked on advanced options. That took me to another window where I could click on see update history. There I found 3 earlier updates that failed but there was no way to delete them. Hitting Control/A didn't do a thing. I'm using a desktop PC so that may be the reason why, although it shouldn't have anything to do with it. The bottom line is, the failed updates can't be highlighted and deleted. Maybe you know another way for a desktop using Win 10.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Please go back and re-read my instructions. You missed a step.

Thanks, Bob! I had a problem with the W10 update (Failed Error 80240020) which it's been suggested is the result of a corrupted install file. I changed the settings for updates to 'Download, but let me decide which to install.' I thought that would stop the repeated attempts to install the corrupt W10 package.
However, I noticed it was still taking forever for the machine to shut down when I told it to. Apparently, W10 was attempting to install, even though I told it not install updates without approval. I followed the suggestions about cleaning out the download file. Should I also now tell it not to download updates until I check and approve? If it downloads the W10 update again, will it ignore my instructions not to install without approval?
I've decided I'm going to hold off on updating until the dust settles regarding the problems people are experiencing with the W10 update. I'm concerned that it has been written so that it ignores the settings in Windows update. What do you think?

In Win 8.1 I went to SEARCH and typed in Windows Updates. Found about 99 updates starting 5/30/15. Found KB890830 successfully installed on 6/13/2015, FAILED to install on 6/14/2015 and successfully installed on 6/16/2015. I don't understand that it would install, then fail to install and then install again.

Windows 10 upgrade

I was able to update my Dell 2 in 1 with no issues. My 8 inch Acer tablet had issues on the first installed, but after doing a refresh it's working like a charm.

SUPERB INFO! (as usual)
I am always reluctant to delete Windows files that I can't read or understand what they are. I first created a restore point, then I copied all the Download files & folders to another new folder "old-Downloads" (just to make sure that I can undo if anything went wrong). Of course, nothing went wrong and now my machine is starting up much quicker. I also noticed some other files & folders in the Software Distribution folder that seem to be associated with the update downloads (ReportingEvents.log; SelfUpdate; EventCache, PostRebootEventCache). I'm wondering if these are safe to remove?
As always, thanks again Bob for your timely and very helpful information.

Bob, this helped lots of people, but there's no help for those who can't follow instructions. 😊

I am using Vista and there is not a folder icon next to start button. I went to start search and typed in: Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Downloads and it opened a page full of file folders and files. Are these the ones to delete? And then update?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes.

I have two PC's, both running Win 7. Both show numerous "failed installation" of Win 10. One PC has no files listed in the Download file, and the other one has files, but none are large enough to contain Win 10. I have even tried downloading Win 10 with the "ISO method" to no avail.

That was scary!
I had 84 folders and files, I reread your instructions and reread again. Then I read your comments to like minded questions and jumped in the deep end.
Wheeeuuu, my Win7 restarted, don't know about it being faster but it don't seem slower.
Thanks for the thrill.