Where does windows 10 download its update files to

I have automatic updates turned on in windows 10. So I presume windows 10 automatically downloads and installs these updates for me. My questions are as follows:

• Where (which directory) do these files get downloaded to?

• Is it safe to delete these files to reclaim disk space?

2 Answers

Of course you have automatic updates enabled. There is no Control Panel option to disable them starting from Windows 10. As far as I know Windows downloads updates to:

C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution/Download

After installing updates, reboot when prompted and you can delete those files.

Since MS has made all updates to go through MS-Store, instead of an actual website, in theory on Windows 10 taking the following steps: 1. in search field type GPO (and go to the group policy editor) 2. then go to the following sections: computer config->admin templates->windows components->windows update 3. Scroll about mid-way, and double click "do not connect to any windows update locations" and then enable.

Warning: if this does work the way it should it could make your MS-Store not work, and will block any MS Update.