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  1. C:
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  3. Microsoft
  4. Network\Downloader
FolderRisk: Caution

Network\Downloader C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Network\Downloader

Queue of the BITS service (transfer jobs, used by Windows Update): qmgr* files; delete nothing while BITS is running.

Updated on By AltF4 Formation

What it’s for

BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) records its transfer jobs and their progress here. Windows Update and other components hand their downloads to BITS, which is how they resume after a network interruption or a restart.

What it contains

The queue files, named qmgr*: qmgr0.dat and qmgr1.dat on older versions, a qmgr.db database on recent ones. The downloaded files themselves are not here. Updates are found under C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.

Risks and best practices

  • These files are open and changing while the BITS service runs, so do not touch them live.
  • Resetting the queue is a known Windows Update troubleshooting step, but it loses transfers in progress. Stop the BITS service, back up the folder, then follow the Microsoft support procedure.
  • For a stuck job, list it and cancel it with Get-BitsTransfer and Remove-BitsTransfer before considering deleting files.
  • Third-party software, and sometimes malware, also use BITS, so an unexpected job deserves a look.

Useful commands

Fenêtre de terminal
# BITS service status
Get-Service -Name BITS | Select-Object Name, Status, StartType


# Transfer jobs of all users (as administrator)
Get-BitsTransfer -AllUsers | Select-Object JobId, DisplayName, JobState, OwnerAccount


# Queue files
Get-ChildItem "$env:ProgramData\Microsoft\Network\Downloader" -Force | Select-Object Name, Length, LastWriteTime

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