Solved Winsxs Folder

[townsbg]

On my 7 VM the winsxs folder is taking up ~15 gb of space which is way too much for a 40 gb drive. Is there a way to shrink it? I have less than 10 gb free, the windows folder is taking up 85% of that and winsxs is taking up 52% of that according to WinDirStat. I don't have many programs installed and the largest of which is Office. I cleaned up restore points and ran ccleaner both of which made very little difference. I don't keep much on the VM at all.

 

[Callender]

It's recommended to leave it alone. Reason - you may be unable to uninstall some windows updates after cleanup.

However you can read this:

http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...nup-system-files-post2840952.html#post2840952

You need to make sure that the update mentioned is installed. KB2852386

and this:

How to Use Extended Disk Cleanup in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8

 

[townsbg]

What from that menu am I suppose to select to shrink winsxs? The folder size didn't change at all.

 

[Callender]

To explain more clearly:

Make sure that this update is installed:

Download Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2852386) from Official Microsoft Download Center

If it's not installed - install then reboot.

Then from an Elevated Command Prompt type:

cleanmgr.exe sageset10

Choose your settings for advanced disc cleanup in the window that opens.

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Include Windows Update Cleanup

Once you've applied the settings from Elevated Command Prompt type:

cleanmgr.exe sagerun10

The cleanup will start. Watch the progress window. If you don't see a message like "Cleaning Windows Updates" then there was nothing to remove.

Note: The cleanup requires a reboot to complete. You can only compare the WINSXS folder size (before/ after) once you have rebooted.

EDIT: BarefootKid's tutorial that I posted earlier is a way to run Advanced Disc Cleanup Settings followed by the actual cleanup in one go.

 

[Callender]

The above should work. Actually the way I do it personally is by using some third party software:

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The command line shown is different because that's the command line needed when not using Elevated Command Prompt.

RE: sageset10 & sagerun10

The number 10 after each word is to remember and run the settings that you applied. They are stored and remembered for next time using that number.

So for example you could use sageset11 & sagerun11 to store and run totally different cleanup options.

 

[townsbg]

Yes that update is installed and I ran your commands from an elevated command prompt. I'll try your suggestions on what to check.

 

[townsbg]

Ok the cleanup saved a gig in winsxs. ccleaner saved over a gig because I ran it as administrator. I still have only 11.2 gig free. How can I get more from winsxs?

 

[Callender]

Best to leave it alone. That update that allows you to clean it up is the only official microsoft recommended way.

 

[Callender]

I know that we don't like to direct users off this site for help but this might help. Have a read.

Tutorial: Reclaim disk space in Windows Seven, Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 – GabSoftware

Recommend reading section 7.4 in particular.

RE: Section 7.3. I delete on a regular basis but not without a system image backup.

RE: Section 7.1 There's a tool for that.

Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. Read more here: https://www.raymond.cc/blog/safely-delete-unused-msi-and-mst-files-from-windows-installer-folder/

You can read about another utility "Patch Cleaner" posted in this thread:

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/378532-patch-cleaner-installer-folder.html

Neither of those reduces the size of WINSXS after running the official cleanup method.

 

[DavidE]

On my 7 VM the winsxs folder is taking up ~15 gb of space which is way too much for a 40 gb drive.

Can you increase the size of the VM drive so you have more the 40 GB ?
Your specs show an Apple iMac and a WD 1 TB HD.
I don't know anything about VM's on an Apple, or what can be done to change a VM drive size.

 

[townsbg]

Thanks callender I'll look at that. I did back up the VM and created a snapshot before starting this. David I can increase the size but I'd rather decrease it and save room. 30 gb used with almost nothing on it is ridiculous.

 

[Callender]

Just a follow up to say that I cleared a further 7.5 Gb from WINSXS using Dism++

Basics:

Use checkboxes to select what you want to scan and then run a scan. When the scan finishes highlight each item in the middle pane and then for each item inspect details in the right pane. Don't clean anything unless you are sure.

Regarding WINXS - it's best to have a system image backup. In any case it would be a good idea to inspect the list and try to backup those files to an external drive. Personally I just rely on system image backup.

If you remove the detected files it will leave you unable to uninstall some updates so you need to make sure that you have no buggy or unwanted updates installed.

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[torchwood]

Hi Callendar,
interesting piece of software.

MS built-in diskcleaner does remove some of the older stuff.
I just use the 1 click event cleaner listed in the tutorials section.

But beware in the latest CBS logs ive been going thru on my system MS have been uninstalling KB's in it
NOT seen that before.

Roy

 

[RoWin7]

I have a 20GB winsys, maybe an inflated total, but it's still big enough to slow down malware scans and file searches, isn't it?