Windows 10 cleanup keeps finding Windows Update

Thank you for the reply. First, as you know, that 'screenshot' is not mine. Obviously he hadn't removed it (Windows Update Cleanup) at that point because he wasn't aware it was there till he just checked.

Secondly, in the past when I deleted the 2.36 GB Windows Update File (or could have been called Windows Update Cleanup) it was definitely gone. The reason I say that is because upon rebooting the computer, it was not there when I checked the Temporary Files. So my premise instead of being incorrect is actually correct. I have in the past checked it for example, a week afterwards and it was not there. Remember how I check that is through Settings / System / Storage / Temporary Files. But then suddenly out of the blue, this will just show up as it did yesterday.

As to posting a screenshot, that would be pointless because I removed the File in question. Again, as to how I'm removing that is through Settings / System / Storage / Temporary Files.

As to the File remaining, as told you, it is at present removed, like totally gone. As to identifying this File, my question to you is, why further identify it when I'm being told clearly it is a WIndows Update Cleanup File.

As to concerns, this is not a concern. It is a question as you should see right from the outset. I for the first time just checked on two other machines and found the same two Files called Windows Update Cleanup, one of which was 7.77 GB. I consequently removed those also.
So apparently, for some weird and wonderful reason, this is a thing that Windows does. The fact 'meebers' found it on his computer not being aware it was even there, seems to confirm this is a Windows issue. My question to you then remains, why is that? Do you or have you noticed that in the past on your computer? And if someone should be up against it for HD space, would this not become a rather queer situation?
Finally, when this pops up again, I can post a screenshot but you're not going to see anything different than what 'meebers' has already shown you.

However you try to remove windows update files (Disk Clean up or Settings) the underlying mechanism is the same: TiWorker runs as a process to clean up the component store.

You may get a better understanding of what is going on, what can be cleaned, and what may be failing to clean up, if you start the process from a Command Prompt (Admin) using DISM.

This will tell you if there are any update packages that can be cleaned up...
Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
Analyze Component Store (WinSxS folder) in Windows 10

...and this will attempt to clean them up.
Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Clean Up Component Store (WinSxS folder) in Windows 10

I wasn't aware of what you're saying here prior to now. Why is it when I clean those files from within Windows, it shows they are gone and stay gone for a week or two?
Have you heard of anyone having problems before with those two commands you gave?
Finally, thank you for coming in on this.

Maggidon said:

I wasn't aware of what you're saying here prior to now. Why is it when I clean those files from within Windows, it shows they are gone and stay gone for a week or two?

Whether you start it by Windows or DISM, the clean up uses the same process. Once cleaned they should not return, unless you have some 3rd-party software that's restoring a previous state.


However, more updates will be available to clean up after each new windows update. If/when they reappear, check your update history to see if you've just had an update.

Bree said:

Whether you start it by Windows or DISM, the clean up uses the same process. Once cleaned they should not return, unless you have some 3rd-party software that's restoring a previous state.However, more updates will be available to clean up after each new windows update. If/when they reappear, check your update history to see if you've just had an update.

Thank you again for the reply. There is no third party software restoring a previous state. As to 'more updates being available' I understand that but am I not correct in assuming no monthly updates are 2 plus GB large? Are you seeing this on your computer where updates just suddenly show up that are over 2 GB's big?

Ok, I'll take the advice you & others have suggested. Appreciate the help given by you folks!

Maggidon said:

... am I not correct in assuming no monthly updates are 2 plus GB large?

Yes and no.

Yes, no cumulative update is that large. But no because the component store is 'special', it uses hardlinks so one file can appear to be held in many places. This can make the update appear to be far larger than it actually is - sometimes ridiculously so. There have been rare occasions when Disk Clean up has reported 3.99TB could be cleaned up on a 500GB drive!

See my explanation in post #2 here: Windows Update Clean-up files 3.99TB

And for more details, see the tutorial again...

Analyze Component Store (WinSxS folder) in Windows 10

...and follow its link to here...

Determine the Actual Size of the WinSxS Folder

Interesting enough! You folks are light years ahead of me even though I've used computers for years. I wasn't aware of anything like what you're saying before. Thank you so much for the replies and efforts to help me out!

Here's a picture of what I'm presently seeing regarding the Windows Update Cleanup. I think initially, I was believing this to be just an Update and not an Update Cleanup. Any suggestions, please fire them this way. Thanks.