How to Reduce WinSXS Folder Size in Windows 10/8/7

WinSxS folder takes too much of space on your computer however you can’t delete this folder to free up some space. Windows keeps copies of all the installed updates from Windows updates and all these are stored in the WinSxS folder. It stores those files even after installation of newer updates from Windows Updates.

So definitely with time and many updates, it’s size keep increasing and WinSxS ends up taking a lot of disk space.  You can imagine WinSxS folder as a container where Windows keep dropping every Windows component and system files.
Whenever you install a new update, its system files are saved in this folder with system files of the previous version. That’s why WinSxS folder is big in size and now we’re going to tell you how to reduce its disk storage. You can’t delete this folder but you can always clean it up by using various methods and tools in Windows. Let’s see how to do it.
Method 1. Clean WinSXS folder by using the Task Scheduler
As I said above, in Windows 10 and in Windows 8 the WinSXS folder is scheduled to be cleaned automatically after 30 days of the installation of any Windows component. If you want to start the WinSXS cleanup process manually in Windows 10/8:
1. At the search box. Type: task scheduler. Open Task scheduler

2. In Task Scheduler navigate from the left pane to:
Task Scheduler Library\Microsoft\Windows\Servicing
3. Then right click at the StartComponentCleanup task on the right pane and choose Run.

4. The cleanup process takes time until complete. So, wait and continue your work.
Method 2. Clean WinSXS folder by using the DISM tool
The second method to reduce the size of the WinSXS folder is to clean the old versions of the Windows components by using the DISM command line tool. To do that:
1. In the Search box type: cmd (or command prompt). Right click on the command prompt (result) and select Run as Administrator.

2. Inside the command prompt window, give the following command
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

 3. When the process is completed, restart your computer.
Method 3. Clean WinSXS folder by using the DISK CLEANUP
1. In Windows Explorer right click at Local Disk disk (C:) and select Properties.

2. Click the Disk Cleanup button.

3. At Disk Cleanup window, click Clean up system files.

4. Check the Windows Update Cleanup checkbox and click OK.

* Note for Windows 7 users: If you don't see the 'Windows Update Cleanup' option, then download and install the update KB2852386 from the link below:
KB2852386 for Windows 7 x86 (32bit)
KB2852386 for Windows 7 x64 (64bit)
5. When the Disk Cleanup operation finishes, reboot your computer to reconfigure Windows updates and complete the cleanup.
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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