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Is it safe do delete WINSXS on Win 7 HP ? RRS feed

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    Very large (17G) file on C disk. Could move this file to a data disk but would rather delete if it is safe?

    Currently part of Windows folder which is 37G. If removed or deleted Windows folder will be 20G. Is this

    typical for Win 7 folder re size? Other bloat I could safely remove?

    So, if safe tell me how.  

    • Edited by JRHoot Saturday, February 13, 2016 6:56 PM
    Saturday, February 13, 2016 6:44 PM

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    WinSXS, known as Windows Side-by-Side, contains configurations files of various software and drivers. They may also contain backups which increases the size of the folder, but it'll be very hard to race the backups and delete. It's also not recommended since some software may try to revert it's settings from these backups, automatically, in case of a crash.

    Coming to the list of larger folders and files, pagefile.sys in the only file that can be moved to G:. Rest are important system folders and files that are not recommended to be moved to a different partition, as changing location can cause stability issues, to the severity of requiring Windows to be reinstalled.

    You can refer the link for more information on moving pagefile.sys to G:

    https://askleo.com/what_is_pagefilesys_and_can_i_move_it/

    P.S.

    In future, if you want to install new software, you can install them directly to G:, instead of C:. Doing so will not cause issues, since the software is being installed in G:, wherein, all the settings and registry entries point to G:.

    Balaji Kundalam



    Monday, February 15, 2016 3:29 AM
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    Hi,

    Based on my research, WINSXS folder contains system files and you could not delete them manually.

    However, since this folder take so much space, we would like to suggest you refer the link below for more information.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2795190

    https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn251565.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

    Hope it will be helpful to you.

    Best Regards,

    Simon

    Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help, and unmark the answers if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.

    Tuesday, February 16, 2016 2:12 AM

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    No it is not. WinSXS is the "store" or the backup of drivers, etc on the OS drive.  Can you tell us more? 

    Wanikiya and Dyami--Team Zigzag Windows IT-PRO (MS-MVP)

    Saturday, February 13, 2016 7:01 PM
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    I did some research on WINSXS and found that Disk Cleanup is a safe way to reduce the size. Ran this with a click on Windows Update Cleanup and very little reduction in size. This is a list of the larger folders:

    Program files(x86)       21GB

    Users                            6GB

    [7files]                          6GB   ( pagefile.sys is 5.9GB )

    Program Data                4GB

    Program files                3.4GB

    I have lots of space on a data disk (G).

    So which folders can I move (from C to G) with the least risk?

     
    Saturday, February 13, 2016 9:03 PM
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    WinSXS, known as Windows Side-by-Side, contains configurations files of various software and drivers. They may also contain backups which increases the size of the folder, but it'll be very hard to race the backups and delete. It's also not recommended since some software may try to revert it's settings from these backups, automatically, in case of a crash.

    Coming to the list of larger folders and files, pagefile.sys in the only file that can be moved to G:. Rest are important system folders and files that are not recommended to be moved to a different partition, as changing location can cause stability issues, to the severity of requiring Windows to be reinstalled.

    You can refer the link for more information on moving pagefile.sys to G:

    https://askleo.com/what_is_pagefilesys_and_can_i_move_it/

    P.S.

    In future, if you want to install new software, you can install them directly to G:, instead of C:. Doing so will not cause issues, since the software is being installed in G:, wherein, all the settings and registry entries point to G:.

    Balaji Kundalam



    Monday, February 15, 2016 3:29 AM
  • Question
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    Hi,

    Based on my research, WINSXS folder contains system files and you could not delete them manually.

    However, since this folder take so much space, we would like to suggest you refer the link below for more information.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2795190

    https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn251565.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

    Hope it will be helpful to you.

    Best Regards,

    Simon

    Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help, and unmark the answers if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.

    Tuesday, February 16, 2016 2:12 AM