Redirecting Windows 7 update files

urzu7 · 26 Dec 2015

My computer currently consists of a SSD and a HDD where my SSD is my boot drive. However, this has led to random folders (e.g 01b9318ac140a2845298) being created in my HDD and hence making it look very untidy and hard to look at. I understand that these folders are part of the windows update and can be safe to delete after some time.

Is there a way to tell my computer, by mklink of that sorts, to redirect these folders to a specific directory in my HDD so that it is easier delete them off when needed? I intend to install another SSD and HDD on top of my current build and I fear that the files will start to scatter itself amongst the drives.

jamis · 26 Dec 2015

What directory path(s) are these files located in?

Layback Bear · 26 Dec 2015

I would suggest leaving Windows 7 Updates exactly where Windows 7 put them. On the "C" partition where Windows 7 is installed.

You can use this tutorial by Bare Foot Kid to do a little clean up.

Disk Cleanup : Extended

Or this tutorial by Brink.

Disk Cleanup - Open and Use

LMiller7 · 26 Dec 2015

urzu7 said:

My computer currently consists of a SSD and a HDD where my SSD is my boot drive. However, this has led to random folders (e.g 01b9318ac140a2845298) being created in my HDD and hence making it look very untidy and hard to look at. I understand that these folders are part of the windows update and can be safe to delete after some time.

Is there a way to tell my computer, by mklink of that sorts, to redirect these folders to a specific directory in my HDD so that it is easier delete them off when needed? I intend to install another SSD and HDD on top of my current build and I fear that the files will start to scatter itself amongst the drives.

I believe this could only be done by Microsoft and there is too little demand for them to do so.

Andyrids · 28 Dec 2015

What I have noticed is this, if you are manually installing updates and say they are located on "D" you will get such folders being created in the root of "D" and after a re-boot the operating system deletes them itself...

The exception to the rule is if an update is not needed that you try and install the folder in the root will remain, the same will happen if one of the update files is corrupted, in addition again the same will happen if the prerequisites are not met for an update.

Anything pertaining to windows update files / folders that the system creates in the root of a partition or drive I have always deleted without any problems if the system had not done so itself already.