Solved Windows update using more space than needed

[Win7user3]

Hi Windows 7 forum,

For the past many months till now, every time there are windows updates my hard drive space gets reduced a lot despite the update showing how many space it requires.

Example...

Let's say the hard drive has 57.4GB free.
When windows update checks and finishes downloading new updates, it shows let's say 4 updates available to be installed with a total of 300MB.
So the updates are downloaded and so that's -300MB, 57.1GB.
After finishing installing them then restarting pc the hard drive shows 56.4 or .5 or .6 or .7, it varies sometimes.
From 57.4 to 56.4~7 that's more than 300MB used. After installing updates, shouldn't it be at 56.8GB or
even 57.1GB?
Because 57.4GB after 300MB download = 57.1GB, now after installation 300MB = 56.8GB
But once they are installed, shouldn't the downloads be gone automatically and the hard drive goes back at 57.1GB?

So why is that happening? I mean a 300MB update is using 1GB or close to 1GB of space after download + installations + restart. Whatever amounts are the updates, they are using more space than needed. I have checked, double checked and triple checked my hard drive for anything weird and every thing seems clear and clean. I keep my pc clean and hard drive only for windows. Only windows is installed in it along with antivirus, nothing else. Win7 home premium 64bit.

I hope I explained well, if not please let me know and I'll gladly explain again.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Please and thank you.
Regards.

 

[SIW2]

Did you try running cleanmgr to get rid of superseded updates?

Also check in windows\software distribution\download folder. You don't need the stuff in there.

 

[Win7user3]

I checked the windows/softwaredistribution/download folder. There was some stuffs in there that were not deleted so I deleted them and gained back a few more MB.
For the cleanmgr, I used to clean it every few days that way but since I got CCleaner I use that one now. Which one do you recommend?
Thank you Sir.

 

[townsbg]

Try this to do an update cleanup which ccleaner will do. Note that once you do this you won't be able to uninstall the updates. Winsxs Folder

 

[Win7user3]

I appreciate the help but this is starting to look way more complex. Is it normal?
To be honest, I won't be uninstalling any updates. I just want to delete the updates that were downloaded from windows update but only after installing them, if you know what I mean. So, when windows update downloads the updates, where are they usually located in? Because once they are installed, this is when I need to delete them since they are now installed and so no use anymore? Are they in windows/softwaredistribution/download folder?

edit : did you also mean to delete everything from the winsxs folder but only after installing those big monthly updates? I have lots of GB in it.

 

[townsbg]

Sorry. Please look at this post. Winsxs Folder Disregard the rest because it isn't applicable to you.

First run this command from an elevated command prompt:
cleanmgr.exe sageset10

Then you will get a window that says disk cleanup settings. Once you launch the window shown in his post select service pack backup files, temporary windows installation files, windows update cleanup, files discarded by windows update, and windows upgrade log files. Then hit ok.

Back at the command prompt enter the command:
cleanmgr.exe sagerun10

Once it runs and says complete reboot your computer. Your reboot will take longer than normal. This is expected. Don't interrupt it. That should help free up space. I do not recommend just deleting files unless you know what they are.

 

[Win7user3]

Ok, just question before I proceed. How do I check if that update (KB2852386) is already installed or not on my pc. Because it seems to be necessary. I also don't know what is an elevated command prompt but I guess I found it in google but for the update not likely. Sorry for those questions, I'm not very familiar with advanced pc care.

 

[townsbg]

From Windows update look for a link in the lower left hand corner that says installed updates. For an elevated command prompt you right click on command prompt and select run as administrator.

 

[Win7user3]

Thank you gentlemen, I guess that does it as better and accurate as it can get. Winsxs folder went from 26.3GB to 12.4GB and overall space increased by ~10GB. I guess I'll mark it as solved.