Can i delete winsxs folder

Manage the Component Store. How to address disk space issues that are caused by a large Windows component store WinSxS directory. Feedback will be sent to Microsoft: By pressing the submit button, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Privacy policy. Skip to main content. This browser is no longer supported. Download Microsoft Edge More info.

Contents Exit focus mode. Warning Deleting files from the WinSxS folder or deleting the entire WinSxS folder may severely damage your system so that your PC might not boot and make it impossible to update. Once the Command Prompt window is open, execute the below command to check if redundant files are available in the folder. If it says cleanup recommended at the bottom then move to the next step.

Now, execute the second command to finally start the cleanup process. After the process is completed, you are done. The WinSxS folder should free up considerably. Note: The process may take some time so keep patience. Voila, a huge amount of update files in the WinSxS folder will be deleted instantly. Now, restart your PC and you will find the OS drive taking less space. This should sufficiently release storage on your Windows machine and make it faster.

Do remember to take a backup of your Windows 10 PC before you go through the resetting process. One or more partitions are created for this purpose. Disk space is partitioned logically.

Each partition is formatted with a file system that manages the folder structures and files, including their metadata. The hard drive maintains a partition table that lists all partitions. Operating systems and other applications have long ceased to be rigid entities that are installed once and then used for years.

Due to their complexity and ever-changing requirements, operating systems require continuous improvements or extensions. You have different options for implementing these improvements: Hotfixes quick fixes for a specific error , updates a scheduled update , and service packs a collection of updates and hotfixes access the information in WinSxS to determine the health of your system.

If the folder is missing the required references, the operating system updates will either not be installed at all or will be installed incorrectly. Updates and upgrades have different functions. An update improves the software and is usually limited to existing features.

An upgrade replaces the software with a higher-quality version or a new version when it becomes available. Downgrading involves reverting software back to an older or less complex version and is performed when newer versions have bugs. The modular design of software is the reason for the dependencies between software and libraries or system functions.

Some functions, such as opening files or querying the system time, are required by multiple programs. The operating system makes these functions available through programming interfaces so that developers can import them into their software.

Many function libraries are located in the WinSxS folder. If you carelessly delete these files, various programs may no longer be able to run.

Lack of available hard drive space is still a frequent problem these days, especially if you have a laptop or computer with an operating system installed on an SSD. By cleaning up the WinSxS folder , you can get rid of unneeded files. You should always use Windows tools to delete these files. If major updates have been installed recently, you should avoid deleting these files altogether. What happens when all your data is suddenly lost?

But many users underestimate the importance of this. At the same time, backups on Windows are straightforward. You only need to change a few settings.

Technical issues, hacker attacks, and malware can lead to costly and serious data loss at any time. To minimize the risks, it is recommended that you perform regular comprehensive backups. It is important to have a suitable backup strategy that properly meets your specific requirements.

In Windows 10, making a backup is the most secure way to protect your data in the event of a system crash or hardware issue. Skip to content. Published on: March 3, by: Alex Stieb. Share This Post:. Share on facebook. Share on twitter. Share on linkedin. Share on reddit. Share on pinterest. Share on whatsapp.

Share on email. Share on skype. Table of Contents. What Is WinSxS? Clean Your Computer in Minutes, not hours Get The Shred Cube. Read More. What a revolutionary product that was created in my hometown!

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