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renaming software distribution

Anonymous
2013-03-18T22:37:07+00:00

What are steps to rename the windows softwaredistribution folder to softwaredistribution.old for windows xp when a message appears that access is denied when you try to rename the folder?  Thanks.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-01-08T07:35:16+00:00

    Hello Bergmans,

    In case you haven't found the solution, here's what i found out:

    1. run command prompt in elevated mode (start - type "cmd" - right click on command prompt app and select "run as administrator")
    2. type "net stop wuauserv"
    3. type "net stop bits"
    4. open the folder "c:\windows" and locate SoftwareDistribution folder, rename or delete as you please.

    or if you want to keep using command prompt simply type "ren c:\windows\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.old" or "del c:\windows\softwaredistribution"

    1. back to command prompt, type "net start wuauserv"
    2. type "net start bits"
    3. done

    Hope this helps!

    Wang.

    credits to http://www.thewindowsclub.com/software-distribution-folder-in-windows

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2013-03-19T00:56:46+00:00

    You can't rename that folder while the Automatic Updates Service is running.

    There are other consequences to renaming that folder, but since we don't know anything about your system, what issues you are having with your system, or what you are trying to accomplish, the question is easy to answer:

    Click Start, Run and in the box enter:

    services.msc

    Click OK to open the Service Applet.

    Locate the Automatic Updates Service, right click, Properties, Stop and wait for the service to stop.

    Navigate to the c:\windows folder and rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to something you can  remember:

    Rename c:\windows\SoftwareDistibution to something like c:\windows\SD_OLD

    The from the Services applet, you can restart the AU Service manually or just reboot the system and it will start itself.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-29T20:54:15+00:00

    I'm having the same issue as Julia, but even when I stop the automatic update service I still can't rename the softwaredistribution...

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