Solved WINSXS folder is too large

[zinger3000]

This WINSXS folder is taking up over half of the 30 GB space on my computer. I'm not sure it's something I want to touch, but I don't think this is right. My Free Disk space decreases each day, even if I do no activity on my computer. I do Disk Cleanup, Disk Defragmenter and Clear Internet History, which brings me back up to about 500 MB free disk space, but it's back down to under 100 MB 3 days later - again, even if I do no activity on my computer.

 

[DMHolt57]

Mine is 18.5 GB. You need more space, at least 20 GB, a few MB isn't going to supply you with enough overhead... a nominal size for a Windows 7 partition is 60-80 GB. Can you get some space from D:?

 

[torchwood]

Hi Zinger,

YEP your C drive is way to SMALL.
IF its the same machine you posted about last year its time to move data and reset your C/E drives options.
Have a read of this tutorial
Hard Disk Space - Free Up and Recover - Windows 7 Help Forums

Winsxs is usually the largest folder on the system, allthough the reported size is NOT actually correct, a well known quirk

The other thing you could do AFTER resizing is to run the in-built MS disk cleaner, its been revised so that it can remove obsolete windows updates.
(if you've never run it, it will take a while to run BOTH sides of the next reboot)


Roy

 

[Layback Bear]

Hi Zinger,

YEP your C drive is way to SMALL.
IF its the same machine you posted about last year its time to move data and reset your C/E drives options.
Have a read of this tutorial
Hard Disk Space - Free Up and Recover - Windows 7 Help Forums

Winsxs is usually the largest folder on the system, allthough the reported size is NOT actually correct, a well known quirk

The other thing you could do AFTER resizing is to run the in-built MS disk cleaner, its been revised so that it can remove obsolete windows updates.
(if you've never run it, it will take a while to run BOTH sides of the next reboot)


Roy

Right on the money.
I use Disk Cleanup often so it does run quick.

Disk Cleanup will only remove things that Windows 7 allows it to.
Windows 7 will not allow Disk Cleanup to remove things it shouldn't.
Windows 7 will always try to protect itself.

Another thing.
Their are a lot of things Windows 7 can't do correctly unless the drive/partition it is located has 10 to 15 % free space.

Jack

 

[zinger3000]

Thanks for everyone's input. I've decided that the best move for me is to add an internal hard drive. In the meantime, I decided to restart my computer, which I probably haven't done in months. The restart took around 30-45 minutes, during which it was stuck on "Installing Computer Updates" and "Cleaning Up" for a while. The good news is that I've cleared up enough space for now until I get around to buying and installing a new internal hard drive. Thanks again.

 

[Layback Bear]

You have a very small (C) partition.

I recommend at least 100 gb. Windows 7 need a little working room to do it's job.

Jack

 

[ron7000]

windows 7 system requirements: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10737/windows-7-system-requirements

16gb hd space for 32-bit,
and 20 gb hd space for 64-bit.

you likely have a handful of other things going on eating up hard drive space, but the biggest one is likely to be the automatic download of every update that comes out and keeping the service pack:

How to address disk space issues that are caused by a large Windows component store (WinSxS) directory:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...-issues-that-are-caused-by-a-large-windows-co

turn off automatic windows updates - especially the one that is download updates but let me choose whether to install them

which you are not doing per your statement of not having rebooted your computer in months.

you should set the update setting to either
- check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them, or
- never check.

I mostly disagree with the consensus that a 30gb partition is way to small,
it is small yes, but you do not "require" a larger partition to run Windows 7,
you are required however to do a little extra maintenance and be more proactive if you want to run windows7 on a 30gb partition.

And there are many articles online on how to properly "clean up the winsxs folder"

 

[Barman58]

What you need to be aware of is when Microsoft states that you need 20GB of space to run windows 7 64Bit, that is exactly what they mean - that is to just run Windows 7 - no 3rd party programs at all. By the time you add Microsoft Office, Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop and quite a few others added, you get to a situation where my system drive is just over 200GB (and I am redirecting my user folders to another drive)

As for the "many articles online on how to properly "clean up the winsxs folder" I have seen many that claim to, but due to the fact that most of the space used in the WinSXS folder is false due to the use of junction points so as I don't think there is a real problem to cure so I doubt that they solve it

 

[Layback Bear]

Thank you Nigel. I'm still learning.

I thought the free space minimum was 10%.
I really don't have to worry, I got lots of free space.


Jack

 

[mjf]

My winsxs reports ~13GB but I'm not sure how much of that is real. My OS (C) drive is 60GB "full" and I have various applications installed (Office, Adobe photo apps etc.). I try to keep my documents folder small and use external drives for data. This makes system imaging faster and therefore I keep numerous images. I also have a number of portable apps that are stored on another internal HDD. Libraries have some nice attributes but I personally don't need them - I just put most data in folders.

Of course your data on other drives needs backing up by whatever means is best for you and how frequently the data changes.

I have a 256GB SSD OS drive but have found 128GB ok as well for my needs. I'd suggest you go for a 250GB Samsung EVO that is relatively low cost and you won't need to worry about space as long as you store large data (videos etc) elsewhere.

Windows 7 seems to require increased storage a little over time.

 

[Layback Bear]

Reminder.

The biggest problems people have with ssd's is they get to small of ssd.

Jack

 

[Barman58]

mjf

Don't forget there's a built in method to move you documents folder, and othe personal folders, to another drive. And still have programs that insist on saving to there work. Right click, properties then Location Tab allows you to see the location of the user data folder and change to one of your choice

 

[zinger3000]

Thanks again everybody. Today I installed a 1 TB internal hard drive. All seems good so far, but I still keep getting the pop-up bubble "Low Disk Space" every couple of minutes, since my 30 GB C:drive is still close to full. Is there any way to get rid of that pop up (it's kind of annoying having to click off on it every few minutes) and if not, is it safe to move large folders (such as WINSXS) from my C:drive to my new G;drive?

 

[mjf]

Your system specs are a bit limited and you should expand eg. what model Dell etc.
One of the "cheapest" solutions to your problem is to buy a Samsung 850 EVO 250GB SSD. Cost ~$100.
You can clone the whole partitions of your existing SSD to a new one. Alternatively (& my preference) would be to create system images of your existing SSD partions to an external HDD or even your new internal HDD. Macrium Reflect free is a well regarded and popular imaging program.
Before you restore to a new SSD you should disconnect the old SSD. If you have issues you still have the old SSD in working order. The other thing you should create a working Macrium rescue DVD/USB flash drive (my preference) and make sure you can boot to it. I would select the pe 5 option as it supports USB 3.

 

[Layback Bear]

It's been posted before. You need a bigger "C" partition for Windows 7; plain and simple.
It will solve many problems.

Jack