[Solved] How to Clean up the WinSxS folder?

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by Canes, Jul 16, 2018.

  1. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
  2. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2012
    Messages:
    3,534
    Likes Received:
    2,094
    Trophy Points:
    120
  3. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
  4. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2011
    Messages:
    12,067
    Likes Received:
    55,424
    Trophy Points:
    340
  5. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
  6. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2011
    Messages:
    12,067
    Likes Received:
    55,424
    Trophy Points:
    340
    I forgot that

    extract the inner cab file Windows6.1-KB2652029-x86.cab or Windows6.1-KB2652029-x64.cab
    and install it with dism

    admin cmd:
    Code:
    dism /online /add-package:Windows6.1-KB2652029-x86.cab
     
  7. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
    But if it isn't applicable, doesn't that mean that it's already installed or that it's an old, uneeded update? Should I really be forcing it?
     
  8. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2011
    Messages:
    12,067
    Likes Received:
    55,424
    Trophy Points:
    340
    Not applicable = the components inside it are superseded (replaced with newer versions from other updates)

    being old update is the idea from using it, to make the "Windows Update Cleanup" option show in cleanmgr
     
  9. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2012
    Messages:
    3,534
    Likes Received:
    2,094
    Trophy Points:
    120
    If I open the Disk Cleanup wizard in Windows 7, I do not get the option to clean Windows Update files. If I right click on Disk Cleanup and select "Run as administrator" in the drop down box, I get the option to clean Windows Update files. Obviously disabling UAC does not matter
     
  10. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Tried it with Disk Cleanup from Accessories > System Tools, didn't change anything, option still missing.
     
  11. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2012
    Messages:
    3,534
    Likes Received:
    2,094
    Trophy Points:
    120
    Of course it is!
    You need to run it as Administrator. If you can't do that then I can't help you
     
  12. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Like I've said, I've just ran Disk Cleanup from Accessories > System Tools with Administrator privileges, did not change anything and option still missing.
    There was also an option to run as System. Tried that as well, but still no Windows Update Cleanup option present.
     
  13. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2012
    Messages:
    3,534
    Likes Received:
    2,094
    Trophy Points:
    120
    #13 Joe C, Jul 16, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2018
  14. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
  15. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2011
    Messages:
    12,067
    Likes Received:
    55,424
    Trophy Points:
    340
    cleanmgr itself offer button to "Clean up system files" if it was launched without admin rights

    WU Cleanup option won't show without superseded updates

    if you insist, you can show and select all cleanmgr options with the known parameter:
    Code:
    cleanmgr /sageset:11
    cleanmgr /sagerun:11
     
  16. erpsterm35

    erpsterm35 MDL Expert

    Joined:
    May 27, 2013
    Messages:
    1,153
    Likes Received:
    761
    Trophy Points:
    60
  17. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
    My end goal is to reduce the size of the Winsxs folder, so other than Disk Cleanup, is there any other way?
     
  18. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2012
    Messages:
    16,130
    Likes Received:
    24,279
    Trophy Points:
    340
    Upgrade to at least Win 8.1 Update 1 :cool2:.
     
  19. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I'd sooner switch to Linux, thanks.
     
  20. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2012
    Messages:
    16,130
    Likes Received:
    24,279
    Trophy Points:
    340
    What should i say ... you asked :D.

    Unfortunately the more effective clean-up was introduced with Update 1 on Win 8.1. I remember the PITA with the bloated WinSxS folder in Win 7 and 8.