What can be deleted in Windows folder?

[madmax2]

I need to free up more HDD space on my c:\ or Windows drive.

I installed Windows on a small SSD (128gb) and now after a few years of usage
I only have about 10-15GB free.
I only installed windows on that ssd and some programs.

How can I free up more space on my C:\

I have used a drive scanning software to identify space hogging folders and found following space hogging folders in Windows folder

These are the largest size folders (order from largest first)
-Installer (13 GB)
-winsxs (11 GB)
-System32
-assembly
-ServiceProfiles
-sysWow64
-Microsoft.net
-SoftwareDistribution

Now I know some folders contents (files) should not be deleted
e.g. System32

But what about other folder contents like these folders (2 biggest offenders)
-Installer
-winsxs
Can I safely delete the files in these folders?
Which other folder contents can I delete in Windows folder?
or in the C:\ in general?

What other options can I do to get more free space on a small size SSD?

I can't buy a bigger drive right now because the prices are still too high and I want to get a 1TB ssd when the price is right..

 

[AddRAM]

3 things you can do to gain space.

1) Turn off or lower the page file to 2 GB, with 16 GB I haven`t used a page file in over 2 years.
2) Lower the amount dedicated to system restore
3) Turn off the hiber file if you don`t use hibernation.

 

[madmax2]

3 things you can do to gain space.

1) Turn off or lower the page file to 2 GB, with 16 GB I haven`t used a page file in over 2 years.
2) Lower the amount dedicated to system restore
3) Turn off the hiber file if you don`t use hibernation.

1) I moved my pagefile to another drive so that is not an issue.
Also turning off pagefile causes issue with some programs.

2) System restore is currently at 5% for C:\, how much lower should I go? I haven't used system restore for a while, should turn it off for c:\?

Edit: Thanks for this suggestion, good idea.

3) I don't have hibernation turn on, so no hiber file, because it is a space hogger.

Do u have any answers for my original post questions?

 

[SIW2]

Check your pm.

When you run it the first time, it will ask this, just select the bottom one:



Then this will pop up:

 

[ThrashZone]

Sounds like a lot more than just a couple of programs to fill that much space
Besides the already offered and possibly running disk cleanup and cleanup system files inside of it :?

Most smart people use a third party back up program to do back ups/ system images... and turn off windows unreliable back up.

 

[SIW2]

It will probably clear a few gb. Don't tick the one that says installer cleanup. The rest are safe. It is using the dism api provided by MS. I have used it a lot. I even include it in my winpe builds now.

 

[AddRAM]

Well, something is wrong if you installed windows and just a few programs. I just did an install, fully updated and my programs and there is only 20 GB total being used.

I don`t even see an installer folder in my windows folder, so I`ve no clue what that is.

There is no reason to get a 1 TB ssd, a 250 GB is more then enough for windows.

SSD 850 EVO 2.5" SATA III 250GB | Samsung Solid State Drives

 

[SIW2]

ADDRAM
I don`t even see an installer folder in my windows folder, so I`ve no clue what that is.

It where copies of msi installer programs are kept.

If you try and uninstall one of those, it will offer to either repair or uninstall. An example is this Paragon .msi. They can add uo to quite a lot of space.

 

[SIW2]

I have just uploading 7pemaker to dropbox.

7PEv24.zip

To make bootable win7 pe:

Unzip it onto your drive, you will have C:\7PEv24 folder. Run as admin the .cmd file.

 

[madmax2]

Well, something is wrong if you installed windows and just a few programs. I just did an install, fully updated and my programs and there is only 20 GB total being used.

I don`t even see an installer folder in my windows folder, so I`ve no clue what that is.

There is no reason to get a 1 TB ssd, a 250 GB is more then enough for windows.

SSD 850 EVO 2.5" SATA III 250GB | Samsung Solid State Drives

Yes, it is more than a few programs..
I was just trying to be brief.

I could say I have said I installed windows and all my programs in there..
But that would not be entirely accurate either, because I have installed some large sized programs on another drive.

But then people would just say
"Uninstall programs unused" which I know is an option..

I also didn't install any games on it though
e.g. Steam...

But my main point of the post was whether I could delete some of those folders contents as mention in my first post.

==
Yes 250gb might be enough for windows, but I already got 128gb.

There's no point in getting a new ssd to just double the space..
and then down the track needing to buy another new SSD...

500gb might be good too, but since I am going to get a new one, I might as well get a 1TB.

Also it allows some space for dual booting another OS.
-like Linux, OSX hackintosh.

Or installing some steam games that I want to speed up loading time.

So it is one 1TB for me.

 

[madmax2]

ADDRAM
I don`t even see an installer folder in my windows folder, so I`ve no clue what that is.

It where copies of msi installer programs are kept.

If you try and uninstall one of those, it will offer to either repair or uninstall. An example is this Paragon .msi. They can add uo to quite a lot of space.

View attachment 359409

yes this is a huge space hogger..

so not safe to delete the files?

I don't like how windows does this..
keeping this huge space hogging folders which we don't if we ever need it or not..
But it accounts for the largest folders in the windows folder

 

[madmax2]

Sounds like a lot more than just a couple of programs to fill that much space
Besides the already offered and possibly running disk cleanup and cleanup system files inside of it :?

Most smart people use a third party back up program to do back ups/ system images... and turn off windows unreliable back up.

Yes it is more than a few programs...
It is the result of using windows 7 for a few years now..

Sorry just trying to be brief..

By backup, do u mean system restore?

I do have a pristine image of windows 7 after a complete new installation
with all drivers installed and minimal programs.

I have yet had a need to use this..unless it is a Windows DOA situation..
But I find Windows 7 quite stable...

 

[madmax2]

Check your pm.

When you run it the first time, it will ask this, just select the bottom one:

View attachment 359407

Then this will pop up:

View attachment 359408

Why this program in chinese? any english version?

do u have the source link?

 

[madmax2]

I have just uploading 7pemaker to dropbox.

7PEv24.zip

To make bootable win7 pe:

Unzip it onto your drive, you will have C:\7PEv24 folder. Run as admin the .cmd file.

View attachment 359410

What will it do?

 

[SIW2]

It is in English also. You may need to select English, though it is automatic for me.

 

[SIW2]

The other thing , 7pev24 is for making windows 7 bootable winpe.

You don't need that right now.

Just run the cleanup. If you delete the msi installers, you won't be able to repair your msi programs, unless you have the original installation files for those programs.

Everything else it offers is fine to delete.

 

[madmax2]

The other thing , 7pev24 is for making windows 7 bootable winpe.
So I need to run the winpe disk before being able to use dropbox app you posted?


You don't need that right now.

Just run the cleanup. If you delete the msi installers, you won't be able to repair your msi programs, unless you have the original installation files for those programs.

Everything else it offers is fine to delete.

But can we still uninstall them programs without the msi files?
All those files in the Installer folder right? (one of the biggest folders in windows directory.

I just had an idea...
Instead of deleting those MSI files..
I will just move the folder to another drive..
and do a symbolic/junction link to the folder

windows - "directory junction" vs "directory symbolic link"? - Super User
What do u think?

Will it work?



==
Just curious but how big is your ssd for c:\?

 

[margrave]

My thoughts: House-cleaning is fruitless. You delete this and that to conserve storage space. Then things grow ... and you're back to house-cleaning again. Unless you find and delete a BIG space-waster, you might find yourself stuck in that loop.

I think the best suggestion to move stuff to another drive. Move LOTS of stuff, especially stuff that won't benefit from living on the SSD. Like lots of videos. They don't need SSD performance.

If that's not possible, get a bigger SSD.

 

[madmax2]

My thoughts: House-cleaning is fruitless. You delete this and that to conserve storage space. Then things grow ... and you're back to house-cleaning again. Unless you find and delete a BIG space-waster, you might find yourself stuck in that loop.

I think the best suggestion to move stuff to another drive. Move LOTS of stuff, especially stuff that won't benefit from living on the SSD. Like lots of videos. They don't need SSD performance.

If that's not possible, get a bigger SSD.

Please read my first posts and other posts..

I would like to get a 1TB but the price is still too expensive.

I have moved my entire
-installer folder to another drive.

I managed to recover 13 GB back.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Hidden + System Folder

I don`t even see an installer folder in my windows folder, so I`ve no clue what that is.

It is a Hidden + System folder, so you have to change your "Folder Options" settings to see it.

Mine is using 4 GB of HDD space.

Just run the cleanup. If you delete the msi installers, you won't be able to repair your msi programs, unless you have the original installation files for those programs.

Just to clarify, if someone has all of their original installers (like I do) they can safely delete the entire contents of the "Installers" folder?