C:\Windows\winsxs

Se7ven · 16 Sep 2010 at 15:20

Can anyone explain what this folder is for?

It is taking up 7GB on my SSD and I only have 4GB left so I need all the space I can get right now (note to users, never order an SSD lower than 60GB lol)

Is it safe to delete any of this?

Also any tips to get extra space apart from buying another HD? or identifying files/folders that can be deleted?

alex24 · 16 Sep 2010 at 15:23

It contains copies of dll files to allow good program compatibility. (Windows Side by Side is what it stands for). I'd suggest keeping it as you could encounter all sorts of issues with programs if you don't, depending on what you use.

CrimsonAvenger · 16 Sep 2010 at 15:29

I'd 2nd that.

Don't want to remove that folder if you want things to continue to work.

cokecan · 16 Sep 2010 at 16:04

alexhull24 said:
It contains copies of dll files to allow good program compatibility. (Windows Side by Side is what it stands for). I'd suggest keeping it as you could encounter all sorts of issues with programs if you don't, depending on what you use.

Is this basically "windows on windows" (WOW) support for 32bit apps on 64bit windows? a bit like WOW on XP that let you run 16bit apps on 32bit XP?

alex24 · 16 Sep 2010 at 16:09

I think it's more for general backwards compatibility with Vista, XP, 98 and so on, but I'm not an expert.

thepeganator · 16 Sep 2010 at 16:11

Don't whatever you do delete it!

Computer will fail to work

cokecan · 16 Sep 2010 at 16:12

alexhull24 said:
I think it's more for general backwards compatibility with Vista, XP, 98 and so on, but I'm not an expert.

just did a bit of reading on it, it seems it holds almost like a repository of system files including different versions of these files so that older programs can use the version they were designed for without modifying the one W7 is using.

So as above really, not a good idea deleting it

Amp34 · 16 Sep 2010 at 16:14

Unfortunately it just grows and grows (I got to the point after having Vista installed for 2ish years of it being 17GB in size). Looks like you may have to reinstall windows or delete a lot of software from that partition.

theheyes · 16 Sep 2010 at 16:45

In many ways it is Windows itself.

Se7ven · 16 Sep 2010 at 17:11

well that sucks

SiriusB · 16 Sep 2010 at 18:23

You can help by removing old software and updating current software, as Windows should cleanup any dlls that are no longer being used.

Unfortunately there is no direct means of cleaning up all the files. Would be nice if there was as I am sure there is junk in there that doesn't get cleaned up. For example, all the default files/media you get in Documents and Music etc have copies in the Winsxs folder.

Broken Hope · 16 Sep 2010 at 19:14

I don't think they are copies, a lot of winsxs is hard links to other parts of the disk.

If you select every file/folder on your c: drive and see how much space is being taken up I get the following.

Yet the space actually taken up on my c: drive is

So something is misreporting and I'm pretty sure it's the winsxs folder.

Nanobot · 17 Sep 2010 at 10:38

Download Treesize Free to get a breakdown of what is using up your space.
It may well be your System Restore Points too which accumulate over time.

Cold_And_Miserable · 17 Sep 2010 at 14:55

System restore points take a specified amount of space.
I've been investigating what was taking up all the space in the Windows folder myself. Winsxs is definitely full of bloat but I couldn't find any software or means of safely deleting files inside it.