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Disk cleanup stuck on windows update cleanup

Anonymous
2013-07-02T03:32:40+00:00

I ran my disk cleanup to free up some space and I checked the windows update cleanup. It detected 300+ mb to be removed. Everything was working fine until it hangs up in windows update cleanup. Its been running for 30 minutes as I write this. My question is how long will the process take? And will canceling the disk cleanup will cause problems?

update: its now running for 2 hours

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-07-02T20:25:30+00:00

    Hi Gabriel,

    This usually happens when there are some problems with the Windows Update temporary files and due to which the Disk Cleanup is unable to remove them and thus it stops responding. There might be some previous Windows Update activities which are still not completed. Thus, let’s first try the following troubleshooting methods and check if that resolves the issue. But, before proceeding with the troubleshooting methods, you may cancel the cleanup activity and the restart the computer. After the restart, you may proceed with the following troubleshooting methods.

    Method 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

    This troubleshooter is an automated Windows 8 inbuilt tool which finds and fixes the common issues with the Windows Updates. Perform these steps to run this tool and check if that helps.

    a)       Press “Windows Logo” + “W” keys from the keyboard.

    b)       Type “Troubleshooting” in the search bar and press “Enter”.

    c)       In the “Troubleshooting” window, click on “View All” on the left pane.

    d)        Click on “Windows Update”.

    e)       Click on “Advanced” and then click on “Run as Administrator”.

    f)        Click “Next” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

    After running the Windows Update Troubleshooter, check if you are able to complete the Disk Cleanup process. If the issue still persists, then you may go ahead with the next method.

    Method 2: Run an SFC Scan

    This issue might also happen, if there are some damaged, corrupted or missing system files. The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

    a)       Press “Windows Logo” + “X” keys on the keyboard and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” from that menu.

    b)       On the command prompt window, type the following command, and then press “Enter”

    sfc /scannow

    c)       Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the scan.

    Important: It may ask for windows installation DVD to fix and to enable SFC to make more than minor repairs. Some files saved on your computer might get deleted when fixing corrupted files.

    Hope this resolves the issue. If you still need any further assistance on this issue, please do get back to us with the results and additional information regarding the issue.

    100+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2017-10-22T21:15:30+00:00

    I finally fixed this last year (2016).  It necessitated restoring the computer with the Dell System Restore procedure.  Like restoring a disk image but with much more effort.  After the original (2013) Dell (I7 processor) system was restored I had to update Windows using Windows Update.  It took TWENTY FOUR hours to download the update files (using Ethernet not wireless) and TWENTY FOUR more hours to install the updates.  Ever since everything has worked perfectly.

    All-in-all it took OVER ONE YEAR to get the problems with Windows update (and the apparently tied-in Disk Cleanup program) fixed.

    I blame Microsoft for this entire episode and will do anything I can to avoid using their products in the future.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-08T17:54:08+00:00

    I have this exact same problem.

    I tried both methods and neither have worked.

    Please help.  Thank you.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2014-12-25T23:09:41+00:00

    On any Win 7/8 system the "Windows Update Cleanup" part of Disk Cleanup always takes forever. I encounter is on about 80 systems I maintain, both virtual and real. It will eventually finish, but the entire Windows Update Cleanup process should run much faster. IMHO this is a bug in Windows. While a broken windows update configuration may well be one cause for the cleanup appearing to be "stuck" I think it is more likely a general issue.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2013-07-03T00:39:28+00:00

    Thank you very much. The disk cleanup finished at last.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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