winsxs Files


  1. Posts : 17
    SSDs: Windows 7 HP 64, HDDs: Vista HP 64
       #1

    winsxs Files


    My W7 winsxs folder is 15 GB. About half of the files are amd64_......... What are these files for? Are they for AMD 64 bit processing systems? If my system uses an Intel processor can I delete these amd64_ files? I could save about 7.5 GB space if they aren't used by my system.
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  2. Posts : 5,056
    Windows 7 x64 pro/ Windows 7 x86 Pro/ XP SP3 x86
       #2

    Winsxs contains all the OS files, think of it as the equivalent of the i386 folder in XP. Winsxs is the only complete store of all versions of all files of the OS. Thats what lets you run things like sfc or install additional features without having to use the dvd.

    Also, it really doesn't use as much extra disk space as it appears to because most stuff in other Windows folders and subfolders are just hard links to the winsxs files.

    As for the "amd64"- AMD came out with 64-bit extensions to x86 before Intel did and so labelled it AMD64, 64 bit Intel CPUs run the AMD64 instruction set. So "amd64" is just another name for "x64".

    In short, let winsxs alone.
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  3. Posts : 17
    SSDs: Windows 7 HP 64, HDDs: Vista HP 64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Got it, Thanks.
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  4. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #4

    I wrote up a writeup about how Windows explorer and other tools are pretty misleading when it comes to WinSXS as that folder is mostly hardlinks to files elsewhere on the OS.

    If you are curious, go here;
    WinSXS Folder not actually consuming lots of space
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  5. Posts : 17
    SSDs: Windows 7 HP 64, HDDs: Vista HP 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks parks.
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