Windows Updates - Remove Outdated Updates in Windows 7

How to Remove Outdated Windows Updates Using Disk Cleanup in Windows 7​

   Information

Microsoft released an update on October 8, 2013 that allows you to remove outdated Windows Updates using Disk Cleanup in Windows 7.

This update adds a new plugin to the Disk Cleanup wizard. After you install this update, you can use the Windows Update Cleanup option to delete Windows updates that you no longer need.

Notes

• The Windows Update Cleanup option is available only when the Disk Cleanup wizard detects Windows updates that you do not need on the computer.
• To enable you to roll back to previous updates, updates are stored in the WinSxS store even after they are superseded by later updates. Therefore, after you run the Disk Cleanup wizard, you may be unable to roll back to a superseded update. If you want to roll back to a superseded update that the Disk Cleanup wizard deletes, you can manually install the update.

Running Windows Update Cleanup will reduce the size of the WinSxS folder (component store) and gain more hard drive space.

Source: Update is available that enables you to delete outdated Windows updates by using a new option in the Disk Cleanup wizard in Windows 7 SP1

   Note

Be sure you are running Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

Instructions:

1. If you have not already, you will need to download and install the update from Windows Update or from the Microsoft Download Center links below.
32 Bit:

Download



64 Bit:

Download


2. Open Disk Cleanup.

   Note

You need to run Disk Cleanup as Administrator or select "Clean up system files" in Disk Cleanup.

3. Tick the "Windows Update Cleanup" box.

4. Select OK.

5. Reboot your computer, so the changes will be applied.


That's it! You can run this every time you need to clean up old Windows Update files. Post down below if you have any questions or comments!

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Open and Use Disk Cleanup in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Add "Disk Cleanup" to Context Menu in Windows
• How Use the Windows 7 SP1 Disk Cleanup Tool to Recover Lost Disk Space
• How to Uninstall a Windows Update in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Uninstall Windows Update from Console Level

 

[thelma]

Thanks John,

there is a lot going on about Windows 10 at the moment, so I don't think any one has seen this thread.

I might start one about deleting outdated ( ???) update history as this one is quiet dated.

Have a nice day or evening, what ever you are into at the moment

 

[Brink]

Thanks John,

there is a lot going on about Windows 10 at the moment, so I don't think any one has seen this thread.

I might start one about deleting outdated ( ???) update history as this one is quiet dated.

Have a nice day or evening, what ever you are into at the moment

Resetting Windows Update will do that for you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91738-windows-update-reset.html

 

[thelma]

Thanks Brink,

I will look into that now

Cheers

 

[Brink]

Anytime.

 

[Grimmlord Blakk]

Your Windows disc cleanup looks different to mine. I have W7 HP SP1 & have the lastest disc cleanup update installed. There is no "more options" or any entry as regards to "old updates". Is there anything I can do to get what you have? Is is because of a different version of W7?

Thanks for your time. I have included a screen grab of my DC interface

 

[Brink]

Hello Grimmlord Blakk, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Just to verify, did you restart the computer after installing the update from step 1?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Actually you would need to click on Cleanup System files button on the bottom left of that screen shot
Then you will see More options after it refreshes the page

I'm not all that sure I would actually use windows update cleanup it has bugs and I'm not sure it's worth using anymore ?

 

[Grimmlord Blakk]

Hi guys, thanks for the welcome and your help For some reason (I can't explain) it's suddenly decided to be like the original posters layout! Oh well, sorry to have wasted your time. One thing though. When I perform a disc clean and look at my harddrive size after it looks as though its used almost all of my disc space! When I restart its ok. Any reason why it does this? Thanks again

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Gremlin's ?
You might need to ask a new question and post a screen shot of disk management
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[Grimmlord Blakk]

Had a look at the disc management and its all healthy. Will look into it more. Thanks a again for your help, appreciated

 

[DavidE]

One thing though. When I perform a disc clean and look at my harddrive size after it looks as though its used almost all of my disc space! When I restart its ok. Any reason why it does this?

You need to do a restart to apply the changes.

 

[Grimmlord Blakk]

Thank you all for your help

 

[Layback Bear]

@ Grimmlord Blakk

A good rule of the thumb.

Anytime one remove something from a system, what ever method is use, it's good to do a restart.
Sometimes a restart will allow the complete uninstall.
The reason for this is; sometimes when you think you have uninstall something it is still running. When you do a restart it turns off the still running program and removes it.