Big WinSxs folder on a new install

Martini1991 · 4 Jun 2013 at 21:07

Hi guys, I did a fresh install of Windows 8 via a USB pen earlier for my new Haswell set up.

I've just checked my Windows folder and it's 20GB, my WinSxs folder is 11.6Gb and I've already disabled hibernation and page file etc.

Is that normal? I did have some problems with Windows updater (Not for the first time either) it took about 6 attempts/turn offs to complete a security update for net framework 3.5

Cheers.

Sin_Chase · 4 Jun 2013 at 22:06

WinSxS has lot's of hard links in it.

Google it + taking space and there is lots of reading you can do about it.

Edit - See here: http://www.davidlenihan.com/2008/11/winsxs_disk_space_usage_its_no.html

Martini1991 · 4 Jun 2013 at 22:22

So I shouldn't worry then?

Sin_Chase · 4 Jun 2013 at 22:25

Even if you were worrying...naff all you can do about it

But yes, it's normal - Mine is ~11GB big.

Martini1991 · 4 Jun 2013 at 22:32

Fair enough lol, I just don't like worrying about space.
Really wish I'd bought myself a bigger SSD.

darael · 4 Jun 2013 at 23:05

How big is your SoftwareDistribution folder? Everything in SoftwareDistribution can be deleted.

Sin_Chase · 5 Jun 2013 at 00:04

What size SSD did you get? I run 120GB and have no problems with OS, apps and some games. The lesser played games on a HDD instead.

Martini1991 · 5 Jun 2013 at 15:05

Sin_Chase said:
What size SSD did you get? I run 120GB and have no problems with OS, apps and some games. The lesser played games on a HDD instead.

I run a 120GB, only ever install my games on my SSD though.
I'm at 90GB left, Office/Steam/Football Manager/Skype/VLC/Foobar installed.