Disk Cleanup does not remove files from Windows Update Cleanup on Windows Server 2019 OS

Question

Hello everyone!

I have a problem where I am unable to delete 16Gb of the really needed space on my VPS from the Windows Update Cleanup.

System is running under Windows Server 2019 Standard; Version 1809; OS build 17763.4499.

I spent hours trying to find a solution on the internet but all the given advices failed. Here what I tried and what didn't resolve the issue with Windows Update Cleanup stuck.

• Search for kb3194798 update in attempt to uninstall it - failed as there is no such update on my list.
• Delete contents of SoftwareDistribution folder manually.
• Delete of SoftwareDistribution_1 folder.
• Delete contents of Windows.old folder manually - failed as there is no such folder on the disc.
• Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
• Run DISM to fix Component Store Corruption.
• sfc /scannow.
• Run Disk Cleanup in Clean Boot State or Safe Mode.
• Deleting shadow copies with "vssadmin delete shadows /all" command - failed as no such copies were found.

Files are really somewhere there and they hold vital disc space. Maybe someone have another idea how to fix this problem? Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Also try the steps below.

• Stop the Automatic Updates service by running sc stop wuauserv from a Command Prompt.
• Rename the software distribution folder (for example, C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution).
• Restart the Automatic Update service by running sc start wuauserv from a Command Prompt.
• From a Command Prompt, run wuauclt /resetauthorization /detectnow.
• • From a Command Prompt, run wuauclt /reportnow.
• after reboot you could delete the renamed folder.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/mem/configmgr/update-management/troubleshoot-issues-with-wsus-client-agents#rebuild-the-automatic-update-agent-store

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Answer 2

I have a problem where I am unable to delete 16Gb of the really needed space on my VPS

What files or from what location on disk?

Answer 3

You can follow along here.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/deployment/additional-resources-for-windows-update

after the rename (step 4) and possibly after reboot you can delete the renamed folders.

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Answer 4

The user running Disk Cleanup operation may not have permissions to some locations. May need to ask the host provider for assistance.

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