(Credit: Microsoft)
Microsoft's anticipated Windows 11 24H2 update is finally here—but it comes with a mysterious file that's hard to ditch.
Some Windows 11 users noticed that after updating their PCs, System > Storage > Temporary files shows a "Windows Update Cleanup" cache that's 8.63GB in size.
"The update cleanup file is not getting deleted no matter how many times I remove it," one Windows 11 user explains. "I even tried restarting." Using Microsoft's Disk Cleanup tool doesn't seem to remove the file, either, according to multiple users.
The junk file may be related to "Checkpoint Updates," which were, ironically, created to help make Windows updates smaller and more optimized. Some news outlets suspect the file may actually be smaller than 8.63GB, despite Windows marking it as that size.
Reached for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson didn't directly respond to PCMag's question about the possible ghost file, but instead shared a link to a post about Disk Cleanup errors. It reads: "After using the Windows Disk Cleanup application, it may display an incorrect amount of disk space that can be freed up in the 'Windows Update Cleanup' category. Please note this is a reporting error." Microsoft is reportedly working on a fix, though.
Windows 11 24H2 has spawned some other strange bugs and incompatibilities, according to user reports and Microsoft itself. Microsoft has found compatibility issues with Easy Anti-Cheat, an anti-cheat solution used by popular games like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. Because this issue could crash games, Microsoft isn't offering 24H2 to PCs with EAC until a fix is released. 24H2 can also cause some users' cursors to disappear in text input fields.
While 24H2 comes with some features exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, like Recall, it also comes with other quality-of-life improvements and updates for all Windows users. It includes changes to File Explorer, Smart Power Management, Wi-Fi 7 support, improved Voice Clarity, Microsoft Teams updates, and updates to Remote Desktop, System Tray, and the taskbar, to name a few.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include a response from Microsoft.
Get Our Best Stories!
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking the button, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Sign up for other newsletters
Read the latest from Kate Irwin
- Microsoft's LinkedIn Sued Over Using DMs to Train AI
- Is Your Android VPN Safe? Here's a New Way to Check
- Silk Road Website Founder Gets Promised Trump Pardon
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise Investigates Possible Breach, Source Code Theft
- Trump Dumps Biden AI Safety Order That Microsoft Dubbed 'Critical'
- More from Kate Irwin
