After updating Windows 11 to KB5101684, five empty folders with short, garbled characters appear in the SoftwareDistribution\Download folder.

Question

Hello everyone, I have a question about Windows Update.

After updating my laptop to Windows 11 KB5101684, Windows Update is working perfectly, with no update failures or errors.

However, when I checked the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder, I found 5 folders with very short, garbled names (composed of alphanumeric characters), and these folders are empty.

Since I didn't check if they already existed before the update, I would like to ask:

• Were these 5 folders with very short, garbled names created normally after the Windows Update update?
• Is it possible that they are related to KB5101684?
• Are the empty, garbled folders just temporary folders left over after the update?
• If Windows Update is working normally, can I just ignore these empty folders?

Windows Update is currently checking and installing updates normally, and my computer is functioning without any issues. I'm simply trying to confirm whether this is normal or if there are any issues left over from the update process.

If anyone who updated to KB5101684 is experiencing the same problem, please share your experiences. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

This is generally normal. The SoftwareDistribution\Download folder is used by Windows Update for temporary download and installation files. Folders with short alphanumeric names are usually automatically generated identifiers, not corrupted or garbled filenames.

They may have been created while KB5101684 or another update component was being processed. Empty folders are harmless leftovers, and Microsoft does not currently list this as a known KB5101684 issue.

Since Windows Update is checking and installing updates normally, you can safely ignore them. There is no need to delete five empty folders manually.

To clean temporary update files, use Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations instead: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/updates-lifecycle/free-up-space-for-windows-updates

KB5101684 information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/os/windows-11/2026/07/july-28-2026-kb5101684-preview