What is the WinSxS File, How Big Is it, and How Do I Clean It Up?

Windows users are never satisfied with their storage space. If you clean up your PC by January, the storage space on your computer will be at its maximum before spring. You’ll likely find the WinSxS folder in your Windows computer as you search deeper for what is consuming this disk space.

What is the WinSxS Folder?

Windows Side by Side, also known as WinSxS is a folder located at C:WindowsWinSxS. This is where Windows keeps files necessary for Windows installation and You can make backups of the files or create versions.

If you are in need of System files can be recovered This is the place where Windows searches for files to execute an action, such as adding or removing Windows features. It’s sometimes also known as the component store.

WinSxS can also store files that are required for installing quality updates or previous versions of Windows components. In case of an update that causes problems, these files can be used to restore the original state.

WinSxS’s size continues to grow over time as more version of components are stored.

How big is WinSxS’s correct size?

File Explorer is often inaccurate in calculating the size of WinSxS’s folder.

WinSxS files may be found in multiple places on the operating system. There is usually one file in the WinSxS folder, and the other files can be found elsewhere hard links .

File Explorer does not consider this when it calculates the folder size. This can cause the folder size to appear larger than what is actually there.

You can use the DISM utility to find out the exact size of your WinSxS Folder. You can find its true size by opening an elevated Command Prompt, and running the following command:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore

After the process is completed, both the reported file size and actual size will be displayed in the Command Prompt window:

How do I clean up WinSxS folder?

You can save valuable space on your hard disk by cleaning out the components store.

The WinSxS directory cannot be deleted manually. Note that you can’t roll back updates once the WinSxS folder is deleted.

If a file is deleted or a prior version of it becomes unavailable, you might have issues with some apps.

You have several options to clear out WinSxS’s folder, which is illustrated in the following.

Cleanup WinSxS Using DISM

DISM (Services and Management of Deployment Images The command-line utility DISM has a built in option to clean up your component store. DISM can be used to clean up the WinSxS directory. This will not disrupt your system’s operation.

1. You can start by activating an elevated Command Prompt. Start pressing Win + R, cmd, Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore

3. After the process is completed, you can check whether it has a Yes or No Component Store Cleanup Recommended.

4. If the answer is yes, then run this command:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

It will delete all WinSxS files that are not required after the process is complete.

If you need to clear a certain group of files, there are other WinSxS cleanup commands that you can use. To clean older Windows versions, use the following command:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase

You can remove service pack backups from Windows 8, 10 and 11 if you are running an older Windows version like Windows 7:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /SPSuperseded

Cleanup WinSxS Using Disk Cleanup

Windows has an integrated Disk Cleanup Tool that allows you to clean up your hard drive System files should be cleaned up Other types of files that are not needed, such as those in the WinSxS directory.

1. Open the File Explorer, and navigate to This PC or Computer on Windows 11.

2. Select the Local Disk and press Alt + Enter to open disk properties.
3. Select the General Tab and click on the Disk Cleanup option.

4. Windows will search for any files that you are able to safely clean up, such as backups and temporary files. It also looks for files from earlier versions of Windows. Click the button to open the Disk Cleanup window Clean up system files You will find the button below.

5. Another search will be performed by the utility, this time looking for files in system folders. After it has found the safe files, the utility will display a list of the different types of files. You’ll find common names like Windows Update Cleanup and Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

If you wish to clear out junk files, all the boxes can be checked. However, make sure that Windows Update Cleanup is selected to remove any update files in the WinSxS directory. Click OK Once selected.

Over time the files can build up again in the WinSxS directory. Disk Cleanup should be used every now and again to maintain the WinSxS directory clean. You can also schedule cleanup of components using Task Scheduler.

Make WinSxS Cleanup Easy with Task Scheduler

You can The Task Scheduler is a useful tool. You can use a “set-it, forget it” strategy to maintain a clean WinSxS folder.

1. Press Win + R, taskschd.msc, Enter.
2. To navigate, use the sidebar on your left Task Scheduler Library\Microsoft\Windows\Servicing.

3. Right-click the StartComponentCleanup Task from the task listing, choose Properties, Triggers Tab in properties Then, click on New.

4. Select a schedule for the task by selecting the frequency (daily/monthly/weekly) and a time. Click OK When done.

5. You can set the task to run according to your schedule. However, you can also run the task right away by selecting the StartComponentCleanup task and selecting Run You can access the sidebar to your right.

Do you need additional space?

Clearing out your WinSxS folder can help you free up some hard disk space. Another way to increase space is by uninstalling apps You don’t need to move large files or personal documents to an external drive.

We have several tutorials that will help you make more space for your Windows computer There are several ways you can free up space on your hard disk This might be a good idea.