Vista Tutorial - SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool

**Brink**

How to Use the Vista SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool

Information

This will show you how to run the Vista SP2 Cleanup tool to permanently remove the Vista RTM and SP1 backed up files created during the installion of the Vista SP2 to gain more hard drive space.

WARNING

Running the Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Disk Clean-up tool permanently removes the ability to uninstall the Vista SP1 and SP2. Do not run this tool unless you have no plans of uninstalling the Vista SP1 or SP2 and just want to save or regain hard drive space. The only option to remove them after using this tool is to do a clean install of Vista.

NOTE

To see how much space you recover, make a note of how much free space you have on the C:/ drive in Computer before and after you run the SP2 Cleanup Tool.

It appears that most people are gaining on average 1GB of space back afterwards.

RELATED LINKS:

Here's How:

1. Open a elevated command prompt.

2. In the elevated command prompt, type compcln.exe and then press Enter. (See screenshot below)

3. Type Y when you see Would you like to continue? and press Enter.
NOTE: Tying N will cancel running the Vista SP2 disk cleanup tool. You can also just close the command prompt window to cancel to.

4. It will take a little bit to finish. When it is finished, you will see the Windows Component Clean completed message. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: You will see the Windows Component Clean was already run on this install message instead if you already ran this or installes Vista with a Vista installation disc that included SP2 with it.

5. When it's done, you can close the elevated command prompt.

6. Now, you just need to let all of us know how much space the tool cleared and saved for you.
NOTE: I would happily tell you mine, but I have a Vista installation DVD that already includes the SP1 and SP2, so I have not backup files to clean up.

That's it,
Shawn

**kavita** · 06-02-2009

Wow that's wonderful Shawn.
From where on earth do you get these ideas?

**Brink** · 06-02-2009

You're welcome Kavita. Who said they came from Earth.

**beauparc** · 06-05-2009

Hi Shawn,

Will running this tool prevent a future upgrading to Windows 7?

**Brink** · 06-05-2009

Hello Beauparc,

No, not at all. You will still be able to upgrade to Windows 7. It's just that you will not be able to ever uninstall SP1 or SP2 afterwards without doing a clean install.

**beauparc** · 06-05-2009

Thanks Shawn; with SPs1 & 2 performing perfectly I can't see any reason for wanting to get rid of them.

I'm off to follow your tutorial.

Thanks again.

Worked a treat

**Brink** · 06-05-2009

You're welcome. How much space did it save you?

**beauparc** · 06-05-2009

Ah

I never thought of checking before I ran it

You need a smilie for pointing a gun at one's head and pulling the trigger

**Brink** · 06-05-2009

LOL. Sorry.

**venom762** · 06-05-2009

I didn't save even a GB after.

06-02-2009
kavita CCNA Join Date: Apr 2009 Windows 7 7600.16385 64bit 276 posts	Re: SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool Wow that's wonderful Shawn. From where on earth do you get these ideas?
My System Specs

06-02-2009
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,801 posts	Re: SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool You're welcome Kavita. Who said they came from Earth.
My System Specs

06-05-2009
beauparc Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Home premium 32 87 posts	Re: SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool Hi Shawn, Will running this tool prevent a future upgrading to Windows 7?
My System Specs

06-05-2009
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,801 posts	Re: SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool Hello Beauparc, No, not at all. You will still be able to upgrade to Windows 7. It's just that you will not be able to ever uninstall SP1 or SP2 afterwards without doing a clean install.
My System Specs

06-05-2009
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,801 posts	Re: SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool You're welcome. How much space did it save you?
My System Specs

06-05-2009
beauparc Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Home premium 32 87 posts	Re: SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool Ah I never thought of checking before I ran it You need a smilie for pointing a gun at one's head and pulling the trigger
My System Specs

06-05-2009
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 (7600) x64 25,801 posts	Re: SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool LOL. Sorry.
My System Specs

06-05-2009
venom762 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Vista Home premium 32bit, SP2 152 posts	Re: SP2 Disk Cleanup Tool I didn't save even a GB after.
My System Specs

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