Temp Files Confusion

Question

Hello

Please see the attached images.
I cannot understand what/where the 8 GB of Updates > Temp Files are.
And, how do I delete them?

"Choose which Temp Files to remove" only allows me to remove a few hundred MB in Recycle Bin, thumbnails etc...
Btw, I am updated.

Thank you
Andrew

Windows Storage1.png

Windows Storage2.png

Answer 1

What you're seeing with “Updates > Temporary Files” in Windows is basically leftover files that Windows Update uses during the installation process — such as:

• Windows Update download cache (packages downloaded before/after install).
• Old update installation logs.
• Staging/unpacking files for .msu or .cab update packages.
• Reserved storage that Windows keeps for future updates (so updates don't fail if you're low on space).

These don't usually show up in the “Choose which temporary files to remove” list because Windows treats them as system-managed.

To delete them:

1. Disk Cleanup (system mode)
   • Press Windows + S, type Disk Cleanup.
   • Right-click Disk Cleanup → Run as administrator.
   • Select your system drive (usually C:).
   • In the list, check Windows Update Cleanup (this is the part that hides in “Updates > Temporary Files”).
   • Click OK → Delete Files.
2. Storage Sense (more automatic)
   • Go to Settings → System → Storage.
   • Click Temporary files.
   • If Windows Update Cleanup shows there, check it and click Remove files.
3. Manual command method (safe)
   • Open Command Prompt as admin.
   • Run:

          net stop wuauserv
          net stop bits
          del /s /q %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*
          net start wuauserv
          net start bits
     

     This deletes the cached update downloads (safe — Windows will redownload if needed).

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hth

Marcin