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Location of Windows Update files

Anonymous
2010-05-23T13:51:07+00:00

Where are these downloaded files stored?

**Original Title**

Downloading Updates for MicroSoft

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-05-24T10:41:24+00:00

    Hi Boardman,

    If you are referring to Windows update then the default location of the update file being downloaded from windows update will automatically be saved in C:\windows\software distribution\downloads.

    If you are specifying about a file downloaded from internet manually, by default downloaded files will be stored in the below location: C:\Users<User Name>\Downloads

    You may refer the below links to know more:

    Downloading files from the Internet: frequently asked questions:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Downloading-files-from-the-Internet-frequently-asked-questions

    Updates: frequently asked questions:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Updates-frequently-asked-questions

    Regards:

    Samhrutha G S - Microsoft Support.

    Visit ourMicrosoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-02-05T07:31:21+00:00

    I found this article and, finding it to be dated, felt that I should update it.

    The location of the update files may not have changed (much), but if you attempt to find this file by copying the location above and pasting it into the address bar of Windows Explorer (also known as the File Explorer), you will be hard pressed to find the location unless you click through the folders yourself. Windows Update will download updates to the following directory:

    C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download

    As a side note to users looking for the location of the files downloaded by Windows Update for the purpose of deleting downloaded updates (whatever the reason), you will need to (temporarily) disable the Windows Update service.

    I hope that this helps.

    NOTE: This applies to users running the latest version of Windows 10 & Windows 10 Pro.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-22T04:02:18+00:00

    where are Internet Explorer downloaded files located.  Why when I use START there is no place to type in where I want to go?

    Internet Explorer list not listed there

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2012-03-31T02:11:11+00:00

    Hi,

    I have checked the C:\windows\software distribution\downloads. I was able to find only three files and a folder with an applicarion file. But I have updated my windows many times which I am sure is more than those three files. So where did my update files ended up? I use Windows 7 Home Premium.

    And I used to clean the restore points once in a while.Does it delete the update files?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2017-09-26T20:42:46+00:00

    Do you know the name of the windows update app itself in windows/system32?  I have Windows 10 pro.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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