[Solved] How to Clean up the WinSxS folder?

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

  1. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Mar 24, 2018
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  2. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

    Jan 12, 2012
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  3. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
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    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
     
  4. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Mar 24, 2018
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    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?
     
  5. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
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    Not applicable = the components inside it are superseded (replaced with newer versions from other updates)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
     
  6. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

    Jan 12, 2012
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    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
     
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  7. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Mar 24, 2018
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    Tried it with Disk Cleanup from Accessories > System Tools, didn't change anything, option still missing.
     
  8. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

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    Of course it is!
    You need to run it as Administrator. If you can't do that then I can't help you
     
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  9. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Mar 24, 2018
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    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.
     
  10. Joe C

    Joe C MDL Guru

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    #13 Joe C, Jul 16, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2018
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  11. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
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    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
     
  12. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Mar 24, 2018
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    My end goal is to reduce the size of the Winsxs folder, so other than Disk Cleanup, is there any other way?
     
  13. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Aug 15, 2012
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    Upgrade to at least Win 8.1 Update 1 :cool2:.
     
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  14. Canes

    Canes MDL Novice

    Mar 24, 2018
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    I'd sooner switch to Linux, thanks.
     
  15. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Aug 15, 2012
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    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.
     
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