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where does windows update download files to install?

Anonymous
2011-06-04T05:02:04+00:00

I have Windows Update set up to automatically download files to install but not to actually install them automatically as it never fails it does them while I'm in the middle of an online game and I get kicked from the game for the restart.

But I'm running Windows XP Professional (had Win 7 removed) which is 32 bit.  Windows Update downloaded IE 8 but it is to high a processor; I think x82 or x86.   Since it has not been installed I can't go to Control Panel to remove it so need to find it so I can delete it and get rid of that darn yellow exclamation point and Pop Up window telling me I have downloads waiting for installation.

Thanks

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2011-06-04T05:58:08+00:00

Remove WU downloads from the temporary folder:-

Stop the Automatic Updates service

Click Start, Choose Run.

In the Run box, type services.msc.

Click OK.

Right-click the Automatic Updates service.

Click Stop.

Stopping the service will take a moment.

Delete the contents of the Download folder

Click Start. Choose Run.

In the Run box, type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution

Click OK.

Open the Download folder.

Delete all contents of the Download folder.

Close the window.

Start the Automatic Updates service

Click Start. Choose Run.

In the Run box, type services.msc.

Click OK.

Right-click the Automatic Updates service.

Click Start.

Starting the service will take a moment.

By deleting the contents of the Download folder - you have removed any downloaded updates.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-09-11T23:02:35+00:00

    I want update my Windows 10

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-07-19T16:57:40+00:00

    The information here is wrong.  My downloads folder in the windows\software distribution\Downloads is completely empty, but when I run disk cleanup as administrator, it shows 0.98Gb of Windows Update files which never get cleaned.  I have also deleted all the files in both Users\name\Appdata\Temp, and \Temporary Internet files as well as any files in Windows\Temp, but the windows update files remain.  Ccleaner does not remove them, either.

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