Learn how to safely clear the WinSxS folder on your Windows system to free up disk space and improve performance.
The WinSxS folder, located in the Windows system directory, often raises questions among users due to its considerable size. What is it used for, and can it be deleted? Let’s figure it out in this article.
What is the WinSxS folder for?
WinSxS is a folder located at C:\Windows\WinSxS and serves as a storage location for Windows operating system components. It contains various versions of system files, DLLs, drivers, and other important elements. This folder is responsible for:
- Compatibility of applications requiring different versions of components;
- Recover damaged or deleted system files;
- Storing old versions of components to roll back updates;
- Storing files for installing additional Windows features.
Why does the WinSxS folder take up so much space?
At first glance, the WinSxS folder can take up tens of gigabytes. This is because it contains both current versions of components and their older versions. In addition, the Windows file manager (such as Explorer) takes into account hard links, which create the illusion that files take up more space than they actually do.
To find out the actual size of the WinSxS folder and the amount of disk space used, you need to run a special command in the command line with administrator rights:
- Press Win + S and type “Command Prompt”.
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Enter the command: dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
- Press Enter. A report will appear indicating the total size of the WinSxS folder, the amount of files that can be deleted, and the files required for the system to operate.
Is it possible to delete the WinSxS folder
You cannot delete the WinSxS folder. This will prevent Windows from loading or cause serious system failures. If you want to free up disk space, it is recommended to use only the safe methods described below.
How to Safely Clear the WinSxS Folder
Cleaning via the Disk Cleanup utility
This method is convenient and suitable for most users. It allows you to remove old versions of updates and free up disk space.
- Press Win + R and type cleanmgr, then press Enter;
- Select drive C: and click OK;
- Click on the “Clean up system files” button;
- Wait for the system to perform the analysis. After that, a list of file categories will appear;
- Find the item “Windows Update Cleanup” and check the box;
- Click OK and confirm the deletion.
This process will remove outdated updates, but will not affect current versions of components that are required for the system to function.
Cleaning with DISM
The DISM tool allows you to effectively remove old versions of components that are no longer used by the system.
- Open Command Prompt with administrator rights (as described above);
- Enter the command: dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup ;
- This command removes obsolete components that are not needed for the system to function;
- If you want to completely remove all previous versions of components and free up maximum space, use the following command: dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase ;
- Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.
Disabling unused Windows components
The WinSxS folder contains components and features that can be disabled if they are not used.
- Open Control Panel;
- Go to Programs → Turn Windows features on or off;
- Uncheck features you don’t need, such as older versions of the .NET Framework or Internet Explorer;
- Click OK. The system will delete unnecessary files from the WinSxS folder.
How Often Should You Clean Up the WinSxS Folder?
Regular cleaning is not required. However, if you are running low on system disk space, you can use the methods listed, especially after installing major updates. The main thing is not to try to delete files manually and to use only safe tools to avoid system failures.
These recommendations will help you effectively manage the size of the WinSxS folder and keep Windows running smoothly.