Safe to delete C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download files?

[chanakya_1]

After Windows update patch installation is successful, Is it safe to delete
the following (to save disk space):
1)
Windows update patch source files located in
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download

2)
uninstall files of Windows update patches, named as "$NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$"
(generic description), located in C:\WINDOWS

When (if at all ever), could anyone need these files taking up several
hundred MB, after installing the patches? If indeed it is safe to delete
them, is there a prescribed 'safe' way for such files, or can you just use
the 'delete' command in Windows Explorer to send them to the recycle bin.

 

[VVIJA]

YES YOU CAN delete the folder
infact you can delete the entire software distribution folder as it is
recreated when you try to goto windows udpate site.
You might have to stop the automatic updates service otherwise you might get
access denied error message.

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

2)
uninstall files of Windows update patches, named as "$NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$"
(generic description), located in C:\WINDOWS

I would not delete those files.

It has happened that a software update needs to be uninstalled (happened to me,
as a matter of fact).
--ron