• What Is In C: Windows Winsxs Folder
• What Is Windows Server 2008 Winsxs Folder
• Winsxs Disk Space
• What Is The Winsxs Folder
• What Is The Windows Winsxs Folder
• What Is Winsxs Folder In Windows 2012 R2

May 02, 2017  Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 automatically reduce the size of the WinSxS folder by using methods similar to the ones described in this topic, in addition to internal processes, such as uninstalling and deleting packages with components that have been replaced by other components with newer versions. The WinSXS folder at C:WindowsWinSXS is massive and continues to grow the longer you have Windows installed. This folder builds up unnecessary files over.

Short for Windows Side By Side, WinSxS is a folder in Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8 that stores different copies of DLL and system files. Because programs can use the same DLL file, this folder stores the different files for compatibility reasons and for times older versions need to be restored.

The WinSxS folder is located at C:WindowsWinSxS and it is not abnormal for the size of the folder to be several gigabytes. The size of the WinSxS folder varies between Windows versions because Vista and 7 do not have the i386 folder, which is where Windows XP stores cached DLL files.

The WinSxS folder and its contents should never be deleted manually. If you want to clean files from the computer, we suggest using Disk Cleanup tool.

Computer abbreviations, DLL, Operating system terms

This topic is about the different ways to reduce the size of the WinSxS folder on a running version of Windows 10.

One commonly asked question is, 'Can I delete the WinSxS folder to regain some disk space?' The short answer is no. You can, however, reduce the size of the WinSxS folder using tools built into Windows. For more information about the WinSxS folder, see Manage the Component Store.

Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 automatically reduce the size of the WinSxS folder by using methods similar to the ones described in this topic, in addition to internal processes, such as uninstalling and deleting packages with components that have been replaced by other components with newer versions. Previous versions of some components are kept on the system for a period of time, allowing you to rollback if necessary. After a period of time, these older components are automatically removed from the installation.

You can also reduce the size of a Windows image using some of the same techniques, as discussed in Reduce the Size of the Component Store in an Offline Windows Image.

To learn about finding the size of your WinSxS folder, see Determine the actual size of the WinSxS folder.

Warning

Deleting files from the WinSxS folder or deleting the entire WinSxS folder may severely damage your system so that your PC might not boot and make it impossible to update.

In Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, you have a number of ways to start the cleanup of the component store, which use a combination of package deletion and component compression to clean up the WinSxS folder:

Task Scheduler

The StartComponentCleanup task was created in Windows 8 to regularly clean up components automatically when the system is not in use. This task is set to run automatically when triggered by the operating system. When run automatically, the task will wait at least 30 days after an updated component has been installed before uninstalling the previous versions of the component.

If you choose to run this task, the task will have a 1 hour timeout and may not completely clean up all files.

What Is In C: Windows Winsxs Folder

Run the StartComponentCleanup task in Task Scheduler to clean up and compress components

What Is Windows Server 2008 Winsxs Folder

1. If Task Scheduler is not open, start the Task Scheduler. For more information, see Start Task Scheduler.

2. Expand the console tree and navigate to Task Scheduler LibraryMicrosoftWindowsServicingStartComponentCleanup.

3. Under Selected Item, click Run

   Note

   The StartComponentCleanup task can also be started from the command line.

Winsxs Disk Space

Dism.exe

The /Cleanup-Image parameter of Dism.exe provides advanced users more options to further reduce the size of the WinSxS folder. For more information, see DISM Operating System Package Servicing Command-Line Options.

What Is The Winsxs Folder

Use the /StartComponentCleanup parameter

• Using the /StartComponentCleanup parameter of Dism.exe on a running version of Windows 10 gives you similar results to running the StartComponentCleanup task in Task Scheduler, except previous versions of updated components will be immediately deleted (without a 30 day grace period) and you will not have a 1-hour timeout limitation.

  From an elevated command prompt, type the following:

Use the /ResetBase switch with the /StartComponentCleanup parameter

• Using the /ResetBase switch with the /StartComponentCleanup parameter of DISM.exe on a running version of Windows 10 removes all superseded versions of every component in the component store.

  From an elevated command prompt, type the following:

  Warning

  All existing service packs and updates cannot be uninstalled after this command is completed. This will not block the uninstallation of future service packs or updates.

Use the /SPSuperseded parameter

• To reduce the amount of space used by a Service Pack, use the /SPSuperseded parameter of Dism.exe on a running version of Windows 10 to remove any backup components needed for uninstallation of the service pack. A service pack is a collection of cumulative updates for a particular release of Windows.

  From an elevated command prompt, type the following:

  Warning The service pack cannot be uninstalled after this command is completed.

Disk Cleanup

What Is The Windows Winsxs Folder

You can use Disk Cleanup to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your drives, which can help your PC run faster. It can delete temporary files and system files, empty the Recycle Bin, and remove a variety of other items that you might no longer need. The option to cleanup updates helps reduce the size of the component store.

Run Disk Cleanup to delete system files

• To delete system files run the steps as provided in Delete files using Disk Cleanup.

What Is Winsxs Folder In Windows 2012 R2

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