SoftwareDistribution folder taking around 40% of C: drive space, preventing updates.
After attempting to update my system to Windows 11, version 25H2, Im presented with the "Setup needs space to update" screen. I use an external drive, but when it asks me to free up an extra 2.15 GB on my C: drive I find myself at a complete standstill.
I have already done all of the recommend ways to free up space through countless YouTube videos, Reddit posts, etc, deleting apps, deleting temp files, ANYTHING.
After using a program to see exactly what was taking up so much space, (WinDirStat) I discover that my SoftwareDistribution folder, spicifically its downloads, are taking up around 40% of my space.
After following tutorials, I attempt to pause my updates using command prompt and deleting ALL the files in SoftwareDistribution > Download (Which took forever btw, deleting so many files at once often stops windows from "calculating" things, keeping it at 0%, resulting me having to delete the files in batches.)
After a system restart and enabling updates again, I check for updates only for that same "Setup needs space to update" screen to pop up again. Checking my SoftwareDistribution folder again, the same files I JUST deleted are back and boating my system again, keeping me from updating.
TLDR: It seems im in a loop where an update is in need of space, in which such space is being taken up by SoftwareDistribution due to Microsofts update checks.
What do I do??