Any way to clean backed up files?

Dragor

Dragor

Power User
Here's a screen. It shows the size of the C:\Windows\winsxs folder which is takin up an awful lot of space which I wonder if I can reclaim somehow.

winsxsfoldertz2.th.png

Click here for Image


The reason for me to post this thread in Windows Updates section is because I know that this is the folder used by Windows Update to back-up files. On my dual boot XP install I have sometimes reclaimed space by deleting a few of the windows Update back-up folders.

I wonder If the same can be done for Vista?

Now, I know that it's not right to delete such system back-ups but If my system is running fine after a month of installing the update, then I guess, it should be fine to delete them.

Also, I wouldn't mind it if it was a few MB but this folder's a whooping 8gigs which I could use in a better way for sure!

Any reply is greatly appreciated, Thanks!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built Gigabyte-Intel-ATI-Transcend-SONY combo
    CPU
    Intel Core2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G31M-ES2C [Intel G31]
    Memory
    1.5 GB DDRII 667 MHz [512+1024]
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4770 512 MB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio [ALC882 codec onboard]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 2033SW+ (20" Wide)
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 x 60Hz @ 32bpp
    Hard Drives
    1 x 40 GB P-ATA
    1 x 160 GB S-ATA [Win7 with Win XP SP3 dual boot]
    1 x 1 TB S-ATA
    PSU
    VIP 400 W
    Case
    Zebronics Elegance
    Cooling
    All fan [2 on case side and 1 behind]
    Keyboard
    i-ball i-key Multimedia keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Standard Optical Tilt-Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    256 kbps Cable
Hey! Thanks dmex!

The tool was amazing! I really didn't know that there could be so many options!

However, my problem still remains! But, I've searched a lot and found some answers.

Its clear now to me as to what the purpose of Winsxs folder is.

The original intent of my post was whether or not it was possible to find and possibly delete without affecting system stability the files that are backed up by windows updates.

Thanks for the reply!

P.S.: I'll post a few questions on your extended disk cleanup utility, so if u would be so kind to reply, I would be obliged!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built Gigabyte-Intel-ATI-Transcend-SONY combo
    CPU
    Intel Core2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G31M-ES2C [Intel G31]
    Memory
    1.5 GB DDRII 667 MHz [512+1024]
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4770 512 MB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio [ALC882 codec onboard]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 2033SW+ (20" Wide)
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 x 60Hz @ 32bpp
    Hard Drives
    1 x 40 GB P-ATA
    1 x 160 GB S-ATA [Win7 with Win XP SP3 dual boot]
    1 x 1 TB S-ATA
    PSU
    VIP 400 W
    Case
    Zebronics Elegance
    Cooling
    All fan [2 on case side and 1 behind]
    Keyboard
    i-ball i-key Multimedia keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Standard Optical Tilt-Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    256 kbps Cable
so DRAGOR what was your answer, its alway nice to share info especial as you wanted info in the first place..
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5520
    CPU
    AMD Turion 64 X2
    Memory
    4096 MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GeForce 8600m gs
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
ONIONSS said:
so DRAGOR what was your answer, its alway nice to share info especial as you wanted info in the first place..
Click to expand...

If you are asking about the WinSXS folder, then this link ought to satisfy all your curiosity:

The Secret Of Vista's Winsxs Folder.

or this:

https://thinstall.com/help/index.php?side_by_side(sxs).htm


If you are asking about my question, then I believe it may be a lost cause. If you are wondering why then just try a search on this forum with the name "Winsxs" and you'll know why!

I can say that what I am looking for, the backed up files of a windows update, are
really in this WinSXS folder, but unfortunately deleting this folder would be as good as going back to Windows 98 era as I just might land in "THE DLL HELL" ;-) :-P

Still, if anyone ever cleverly manages to sort through all that junk that's lying around in that folder and manages to single out the windows updates backups which can be deleted without significant harm to the system, I would be glad!

Untill then, I think its high time I burned a few disks to free up some space on my drive!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built Gigabyte-Intel-ATI-Transcend-SONY combo
    CPU
    Intel Core2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G31M-ES2C [Intel G31]
    Memory
    1.5 GB DDRII 667 MHz [512+1024]
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4770 512 MB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio [ALC882 codec onboard]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 2033SW+ (20" Wide)
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 x 60Hz @ 32bpp
    Hard Drives
    1 x 40 GB P-ATA
    1 x 160 GB S-ATA [Win7 with Win XP SP3 dual boot]
    1 x 1 TB S-ATA
    PSU
    VIP 400 W
    Case
    Zebronics Elegance
    Cooling
    All fan [2 on case side and 1 behind]
    Keyboard
    i-ball i-key Multimedia keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Standard Optical Tilt-Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    256 kbps Cable
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top