How to safely reduce the size of WinSxS folder in Windows 8?

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by david_xross_2, Sep 5, 2013.

  1. david_xross_2

    david_xross_2 MDL Senior Member

    Aug 31, 2012
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    #1 david_xross_2, Sep 5, 2013
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2013
    Hi,

    Is there any way to safely reduce the size of WinSxS folder in Windows Installation Directory? Overtime, after Windows Installation it is steadily growing larger, given that I've uninstalled a lot of desktop apps?

    Capture.PNG
     
  2. murphy78

    murphy78 MDL DISM Enthusiast

    Nov 18, 2012
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    #2 murphy78, Sep 5, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    For Windows 8.0 there is:
    Code:
    dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
    For Windows 8.1 there is:
    Code:
    dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase
    component cleanup by itself will recompress the folder contents and remove obsolete kb files
    the 8.1 /resetbase option will remove uninstall information and remove the old pre-kbfile sxs (in essence making the kbfiles downloaded from windows update, your new winsxs files)

    The 8.0 option will save a bit of room if you've never done it before.
    the 8.1 option will save a LOT more room after a year or so when there's a bunch of kb files downloaded.
     
  3. thla

    thla MDL Novice

    Jan 12, 2011
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    #3 thla, Sep 5, 2013
    Sorry for the off-topic, but can the Windows 8.0 stuff be used for Windows 7 as well?
     
  4. david_xross_2

    david_xross_2 MDL Senior Member

    Aug 31, 2012
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    #4 david_xross_2, Sep 5, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    (OP)
    Thanks for this..Worked quite well :)
     
  5. coleoptere2007

    coleoptere2007 MDL Guru

    Apr 8, 2008
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    #5 coleoptere2007, Sep 5, 2013
    These commands can't be used on W7
     
  6. fedewt

    fedewt MDL Junior Member

    Jan 23, 2011
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    #6 fedewt, Sep 5, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Thanks Murphy!!
    Very very usefull!!
     
  7. Stannieman

    Stannieman MDL Guru

    Sep 4, 2009
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    #7 Stannieman, Sep 5, 2013
    I really like the resetbase option!
    It's kinda like the /nobackup switch that could be used on 2000/xp updates and service packs.
     
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  8. snebc

    snebc MDL Novice

    Aug 20, 2012
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    #8 snebc, Oct 7, 2014
    Works!

    Thanks for the info!
     
  9. assbutt

    assbutt Guest

    #9 assbutt, Oct 7, 2014
    It's even better, because it can be used post factum