Reduce Windows 7 WinSXS Folder Size (Cleanup WinSXS After SP1 Install)

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by bambamtusa, Mar 15, 2012.

  1. bambamtusa

    bambamtusa MDL Member

    Jul 18, 2011
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    #1 bambamtusa, Mar 15, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    With Windows Vista, the WinSXS folder was able to be cleaned up via a third party tool. With the initial release of Windows 7, we lost that capability – but it has since returned with Service Pack 1.

    The WinSXS folder is used to store install and uninstall files, windows packages (current and previous versions of a component) and out-of-band releases. You should not completely delete this folder. Post Windows 7 SP1, there is now a way to remove the unnecessary files from this folder using the command line (elevated/admin mode -> Click Start -> Type “cmd” in Search. Right click on “cmd” and choose “Run as Administrator”). This is great for reducing the Windows folder size for SSDs and netbooks. In my case it saved 3.5GB of space.

    Code:
    DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /SpSuperseded
    Sources: IIS Hacks & Everything Sysadmin
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. SCBrigth

    SCBrigth MDL Senior Member

    May 9, 2009
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    Run Windows Disk Cleaner as admin and you'll find an option to clean Service Pack Backup files, same effect. :rolleyes:
     
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