The
users in Windows 7 and further versions have detected a folder named WinSxS,
Windows Side by Side, occupying a massive space in the computer. The folder
stores multiple copies of dll and component files so that the Windows would not
face compatibility issues while the applications are running in it. Each
application needs a different version, the folder contains duplicates of dll
with the same name, but these duplicates are different versions of the dll. You
can find the folder in your C: drive- C:\Windows\Winsxs.
The component files get
bigger, and the folder eats up considerable space in the system. Subsequently,
the released updates in Windows 7 came with the cleanup tool to reduce the size
of WinSxS folder. Windows 8 and 8.1 have an inbuilt cleanup tool where Windows
8 reduces the size of the folder automatically and Windows 8.1 came with a
command line which analyses the Windows Side by Side folder and informs the
user whether the Cleanup is required or not.
Let’s see how to clean up WinSxS folder in Windows
FOLDER
CLEANUP BY DISK CLEANUP TOOL
1. Go
to Computer and
select your C: drive.
2. Right
click on the drive to open a menu and select properties.
3. Now,
click Disk Cleanup in
the box appeared.
4. Check Windows Update Cleanup box and click Ok.
5. You
will be prompted to confirm. Click yes.
6. The
program will start cleaning up the folder.
Note: – The method might damage Windows and the
system may not reboot again. Creating a backup before performing the task would
be better for you.
FOLDER
CLEANUP BY DISM COMMAND LINE
1. Open Start menu and type cmd.
2. Click cmd to open Command Prompt.
3. Type exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase
4. Now
press Enter.
5. The
command enables you to remove all versions of component files stored in the folder.
6. Again,
type exe /online /Clean-Image
/SPSuperseded and press Enter
7. With
this command, you can remove the backup components required to uninstall the
service pack.
Note: – The last command might disable
uninstalling the existing updates and service pack.
FOLDER
CLEANUP WITH STARTCOMPONENTCLEANUP
1. The
StartComponentCleanup tool is created in Windows 8 to reduce the folder size.
2. The
tool is set to run automatically by the Operating System after the 30 days of
installation of an updated component to uninstall the previous updates.
3. Open Task Scheduler to run the program.
4. Go
to Library and
click Microsoft.
5. Select Windows and click Servicing.
6. Click StartComponentCleanup from central panel.
7. From
the right panel, click Run to
start TiWorker.exe or Windows Modules Installer Worker.
8. You
can find the
process running in Task Manager.
9. If it
takes very long, then you can click End to
end process.
10.
A confirmation box will appear saying “Do you want to end all the instances of this task?”
11.
Click Yes to
confirm.
Deleting the WinSxS
folder or the files inside it might corrupt your Windows resulting in the
inability to reboot. The second methods must be followed when you are an
advanced user or else stick up with the first and last one. It is good to keep
free space in the system but removing the Side by Side folder could be risky.
Hence before following the methods, you must create a backup of your system.
Jack
Tucker is a
Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry from
last 10 year. As a technical expert, he has written technical blogs, manuals,
white papers, and reviews for many websites such as office.com/Setup
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