Question about winSxS size
- I installed a fresh vista home premium 32-bit and only have installed drivers for my system. The "winSxS" folder in windows drive is about 5 Gig!!!!! it contains 30000 files and 7500 folders!!!!!
Is it normal? What is the purpose of this folder?
Answers
Mahmoodn
There were several very long discussions about the WinSxS folder during the SP1 beta and at other times. Here are some notes and information.
1. A size of 3 to 5 GB is normal on a clean install, depending on the version of Vista.
2. The folder will increase or decrease in size as programs and updates are installed and uninstalled.
3. One of the main reasons for this folder is that it is the solution to the old 'DLL Hell' problem that plagued previous versions of Windows. The assemblies in these folders contain many separate versions of system files that 'may' be needed by some programs. This folder also contains different language versions (MUI) of certain system files.
WinVistaClub: The Secret Of Vista's Winsxs Folder:
http://www.winvistaclub.com/f16.html
4. This folder also contains backup copies of some system files that are used when running the SFC /scannow command (System File Checker) to replace corrupted system files.
5. The folder has a 'self scavenging' component that will delete some of the assemblies which have been replaced with newer versions or if it is determined that they have become redundant.
6. If you have already installed Vista SP1, there is a cleanup tool that you can use to remove all of the redundant files that the SP1 update replaced. Some of the testing that I did with this tool, resulted in a significant reduction in the size of the system drive, including reductions in the size of the WinSxS folder. (up to 3GB, in some cases)
Vista SP1 Cleanup Tool instructions.
***NOTE: After you use this cleanup tool, you will no longer be able to remove Service Pack 1, should any problems occur. Make sure that the system is stable before using.
***NOTE 2: This tool is a one-time use tool. Once it's used it will no longer work on the same installation.
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Look for the file "vsp1cln.exe."
Right click this file and select the 'Run As Administrator' option.
The Vista Service Pack 1 Cleanup Tool will remove all of the redundant files that it has replaced.
The amount of disk space you gain will depend on the system, what programs are installed, etc.
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience
All Replies
Mahmoodn
Here are a couple of links that contain some good info on this directory and what it contains.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained : Deleting from the WinSxS directory:
http://blogs.msdn.com/jonwis/archive/2007/01/02/deleting-from-the-winsxs-directory.aspxDemystifying the WinSxS directory in Windows XP, Vista and Server 2003/2008 - Aaron Tiensivu's Blog:
http://blog.tiensivu.com/aaron/archives/1306-Demystifying-the-WinSxS-directory-in-Windows-XP,-Vista-and-Server-20032008.html
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop ExperienceSo what I understand is that the content of this directory can not be removed even by administrators but if someone would like to delete it, he has to accept its respinsibility.
I wonder, why winSxS in a fresh windows (with only drivers installed) occupy 5 gig?? Are 30000 files realy needed? If i install some regular programs and application then what will be the new size......
Mahmoodn
There were several very long discussions about the WinSxS folder during the SP1 beta and at other times. Here are some notes and information.
1. A size of 3 to 5 GB is normal on a clean install, depending on the version of Vista.
2. The folder will increase or decrease in size as programs and updates are installed and uninstalled.
3. One of the main reasons for this folder is that it is the solution to the old 'DLL Hell' problem that plagued previous versions of Windows. The assemblies in these folders contain many separate versions of system files that 'may' be needed by some programs. This folder also contains different language versions (MUI) of certain system files.
WinVistaClub: The Secret Of Vista's Winsxs Folder:
http://www.winvistaclub.com/f16.html
4. This folder also contains backup copies of some system files that are used when running the SFC /scannow command (System File Checker) to replace corrupted system files.
5. The folder has a 'self scavenging' component that will delete some of the assemblies which have been replaced with newer versions or if it is determined that they have become redundant.
6. If you have already installed Vista SP1, there is a cleanup tool that you can use to remove all of the redundant files that the SP1 update replaced. Some of the testing that I did with this tool, resulted in a significant reduction in the size of the system drive, including reductions in the size of the WinSxS folder. (up to 3GB, in some cases)
Vista SP1 Cleanup Tool instructions.
***NOTE: After you use this cleanup tool, you will no longer be able to remove Service Pack 1, should any problems occur. Make sure that the system is stable before using.
***NOTE 2: This tool is a one-time use tool. Once it's used it will no longer work on the same installation.
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Look for the file "vsp1cln.exe."
Right click this file and select the 'Run As Administrator' option.
The Vista Service Pack 1 Cleanup Tool will remove all of the redundant files that it has replaced.
The amount of disk space you gain will depend on the system, what programs are installed, etc.
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop ExperienceHallo Roonie,
the hint with vsp1cln.exe is very usefull, but I am affraid, it does not help me.
- I installted Vista 64 bussines
- then I installed SP1
- then I updated to Vista 64 Ultimate
last week i discovered, that I have a winsxs size about 35 GB.
Now vsp1cln does not reduce winsxs.
Am I right, that I should have run vsp1cln1.exe bevore upgrading to Ultimate? Do I need a fresh install?
Urban
Urban
Yes, you should have run the cleanup utility before upgrading. When you upgraded, this locked the SP1 update so that it cannot be uninstalled. I'm afraid that the only way to fix this problem is to perform a clean install.
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience- So if I run that clean up program, and vista sp2 comes around, will it let me install that, or will it have problems?
- Warhawk15 said:
So if I run that clean up program, and vista sp2 comes around, will it let me install that, or will it have problems?
Hi
Yes, you can safely run the 'vsp1cln.exe' tool after you have successfully installed Service pack 1.
This tool simply cleans up the redundant files that are left over after the SP1 update.
This will not have any effect on the ability to install SP2.
Hope this helps.
Ronnie Vernon MVP My home OS: Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Russian
RAM: 4 GB
Disk C: System, Boot
Disk C size: 50 GBToday 11.04.2009.
Size of WINDOWS folder: 46 GB
Size of WinSxS folder: 30 GBLets see to system requirements:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/system-requirements.aspx
and what we see:
40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available spaceAfter VSP1CLN.EXE:
Size of WINDOWS folder: 46 GB
Size of WinSxS folder: 30 GBI think that microsoft MUST write in Vista system requirements:
... at least 100 GB of available spaceVista must die!
After home usage, I don't want implement Vista in my organization.
Microsoft, WTF?
Sory for my english...
MCP, MCSA, MCSA: Messaging- I agree! Vista should die.
However, the hardware vendors do not agree with that and I am forced to use Vista as there are very few Windowx XP x64 drivers...
To the ____ the DLL ____ issue!
Programmers can avoid that using several reusabilty techniques...
Let's see what Windows 7 has reseerved to Us.
Yours,
Fabio.
Let's see what Windows 7 has reseerved to Us.
Winsxs in a month old Windows 7 install is 5GB.
Yakup- Well I have Windows 7 RTM on a clean install for a week. I have installed virtually no programes and my winsxs is already 5.75GB!! Oh dear...
