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    Tip for reducing Windows 7 (with SP1) size

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Marecki_clf, Oct 18, 2012.

  1. Marecki_clf

    Marecki_clf Homo laptopicus

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    Hello,

    I just wanted to share something with You guys.
    Today, just out of curiosity, I checked the size of Windows folder on my C: partition. It was a massive 29GB! After having a closer look at it, I noticed, that the largest subfolder was 'winsxs' (a whole 13GB). After some research I found a safe way of reducing its size by half. All I needed to do was running an elevated command prompt (clicking on Start, typing in 'cmd', right-clicking on the program and selecting 'Run as administrator') and typing in a following command:

    dism /online /cleanup-image /spsuperseded

    This command makes Windows delete backup files created during installation of SP1 for Windows 7.

    If for some reason this doesn't work (i.e. 'Error 11' message is displayed), try going to sysnative folder (C:\Windows\sysnative) and run the 'dism' command from there.
     
    Marecki_clf, Oct 18, 2012
    #1
  2. 6730b

    6730b Notebook Deity

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    6730b, Oct 18, 2012
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  3. SL2

    SL2 Notebook Deity

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    If you check the folder size of windows you'll get the size of the hard links as well, which means that some data will be counted twice (or more).
    The winsxs folder is about 1.1 GB large on a fresh install of W7, but if you just right click and select properties it will show closer to 5.5 GB.
     
    SL2, Oct 19, 2012
    #2
  4. darxide_sorcerer

    darxide_sorcerer Notebook Deity

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    ^ this. and microsoft doesn't recommend messing with the contents of that folder. i remember reading an article about this issue (probably on Windows 7 blog) at some point in the past...i'll see if i can find it.

    EDIT: this and this.
     
    darxide_sorcerer, Oct 20, 2012
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  5. jrryc890

    jrryc890 Notebook Enthusiast

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    i agree, i wouldn't mess with the contents of that folder. bad things happen when you open the pandora box :3
     
    jrryc890, Oct 20, 2012
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