When it comes to Windows, I always thought I could always find downloaded updates in Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder and delete them, then run "DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase" and maintain Windows folder size. That, however, does not happen. Windows partition keeps getting bigger and bigger, specially after updates. I am not talking about my browser's cache or cookies because partition space gets lost by 1GB or so after each major update, even after I remove all SoftwareDistribution \Download folder files, Prefetch folders files, and run "DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase" . Just to make sure all is OK, I also run "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" and "SFC /ScanNow" and Chkdsk. I verify that my page-file and hibernation files stay the same size and they do stay the same size. I use CCleaner with CCEnahncer, which most definitely gets rid of ALL temp files. Drive's "Disk Cleanup" and "Cleanup System Files" do not show any files or folders that take up more than 10MB of space... I think this MAY BE from MS Office 2013 updates, which can also be massive! I assume they also get downloaded into SoftwareDistrubtion\Download folder, which as I stated, I clean up good. I also remove MSOCache hidden folder from drive C. Are there any other places where MS Office 2013 updates may be hiding? What else could this be? Unfortunately, I have not monitored whether it is Windows folder on C drive that gets bigger or some other folder, but one way or another - updating Windows 10 and MS Office 2013 results in lose partition space, even after removing update files from SoftwareDistribution\Download folder, deleting MSOCache folder, and running ResetBase... Any ideas why and how to get my precious space back???
Office updates resides in C:\Windows\Installer if you remove any, you won't be able to uninstall the update/patch and i suspect the old/replaced office update will still in that folder unless you clean them manually somehow so, Windows 10 has nothing to do with the problem
For windows, the WINSXS folder is a nightmare, check the qty of files and the sheer size of this folder .... you'll understand. My windows 8.1 right now is 8.65 gigs with 85,949 files ..... still growing. Not checked on my win10 ...
So you're saying that if I remove any Office 2013 update files from Windows\Installer folder, then I won't be able to update MS Office 2013 any further??? I don't care for uninstalling any updates, just like I don't care for uninstalling Windows updates. Which exact files and folders are the Office 2013 updates ones? Which ones can I remove?
This might not be a great idea. For example, some software packages re-reference *.msi files in this directory for application first run configuration as a different user. Also, some programs call MSI files in that directory as part of their uninstall routine. Just wanted to point those things out... If it's taking up a lot of space, simply back up the files to an external/USB drive, especially if you plan to uninstall or run apps under a different user name that has not run them yet. For that matter, the MSOCache folder has similar implications for Office installations. If you try to add/remove specific office features and the files are not there, it won't work.
Many programs require to have those files JUST so you can launch them... I usually clean up my system as much as possible, but even I won't touch those files...
Office backup files (and Adobe and others too) are inside folder: C:\WINDOWS\Installer\$PatchCache$ it's safe to delete it Code: rmdir /q /s %WINDIR%\Installer\$PatchCache$ this command leave safe msi files
Great tip. I picked up 4GB after deleting all the files. I'll monitor things for a while to see if there are any adverse effects. If something shows up, I can always restore them from a backup image.
The folder %windir%\Installer exist in Windows 10 but Windows 8.1 Pro! Evewn with Protected Operating System Files enabled, in Windows 8.1 that folder Installer didn't exist! In Windows 10 just Hiden Files and Folders need to be enabled to see that folder!
It doesn't exist unless you install .msi packages even if it exist in W10, it will be empty and what this has anything to do with the thread subject?
Ahh I guess I showed a little haste in deleting those files. Though haven't notice any other problems till now, but all my office Icons have gone blank. Word/Excel/outlook etc all show white blank icon. I guess it is because it deletes/corrupts IconDB. Anyways to restore the icons ? As far as I can see, only Office icons are missing. That said, if I am Sysprep'ing an image, getting rid of these files can be a significant size reduction. Will your command be "safe" to have junk removed without breaking any functionality ? Thanks alot
I made some progress Myself... feel like I've probably fixed the issue. The Icons are back and uninstall options in Control Panel also working for apps. What I did was restore my deleted C:\Windows\Installer folder from a shadow copy using "Shadow Explorer Portable-0.9". Seems like a very good File Recovery app. Then I also read alot and belived the folder is too bloated and can be successfuly slimmed down in a smarter way. After reading alot, I used "Windows.Update.Clean.Tool.v8.19" portable and it deleted more than 7.5 GB from the C:\Windows\Installer folder and after a reboot all Icons were fixed! I just ran a Windows update as I type this and it showed up new updates available in just a few minutes. I'm still keeping backup of the full C:\Windows\Installer I recovered from the shadow, will hold it for a week just incase I find something messy! Thanks again for all pointers and suggestions... just wanted to document I experience and Resolution of problems for others to be able to use the fixes. I am on windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Office 2013 x64