Clearing Windows Update Cache Upon Update Failure

  1. Open Command Prompt by Start -> Run and type “cmd“
  2. On the Command Prompt, type “net stop wuauserv“. This is done so that you will terminate the windows automatic update service to allow us to delete the cache files
  3. Still on the Command Prompt, type “cd /d %windir%” or “cd\windows“
  4. Type “rd /s SoftwareDistribution“
  5. Thats it, the cache has been purged. Now we need to restart the windows automatic update service again. To do that, type “net start wuauserv“
  6. Or go to this link: http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=971058