Windows key + S<\/code> combination to open the Windows search bar.<\/li>\n- Type in command prompt<\/em> and right-click the Command Prompt<\/em>\u00a0search result.<\/li>\n
- Choose Run as administrator<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Click the Yes<\/em> button once the User Account Control prompt box appears.<\/li>\n
- When the elevated prompt appears, type in the following command and then hit Enter:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
dism \/Online \/Cleanup-Image \/AnalyzeComponentStore<\/pre>\n
\n- Wait for the process to finish. The WinSxS folder\u2019s size is under the Actual Size of Component Store<\/em>\u00a0section.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n \r\n
![\"You]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n- You can also check the Component Store Cleanup Recommended<\/em>\u00a0section to see if the operating system recommends you clean up the WinSxS folder.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to Clean Up WinSxS<\/h2>\n
There are different ways to clean the WinSxS folder in Windows 10. We will discuss the easiest ways to do so without causing system damage, so follow the instructions carefully.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s jump right in.<\/p>\n
Method 1: Use the task scheduler<\/h3>\n
The Task Scheduler<\/a> enables you to delete useless files from the WinSxS folder quickly. Here is how to use it:<\/p>\n\n- Use the
Windows + R<\/code> key combo to bring up the Run dialog box.<\/li>\n- Type in
taskschd.msc<\/code>\u00a0and click on the OK<\/em> button.<\/li>\n- Use the left sidebar to navigate to the following location:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Task Scheduler Library\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Servicing<\/em><\/p>\n\n- Once here, go to StartComponentCleanup<\/em>\u00a0on the right pane.<\/li>\n
- Then go to the Actions<\/em> section and click on the Run button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n \r\n
![\"Task]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n- The Task Scheduler will start cleaning the WinSxS folder. Wait for the process to finish.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Method 2: Use DISM<\/h3>\n
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool helps repair corrupted system images in Windows. However, you can also use it to clean the WinSxS folder.<\/p>\n
Follow these instructions to use this tool:<\/p>\n
\n- Open the search bar using the
Windows + S<\/code> keyboard shortcut.<\/li>\n- Type in command prompt<\/em> and then choose Run as administrator<\/em>\u00a0on the right menu pane.<\/li>\n
- Select Yes<\/em> on the UAC window.<\/li>\n
- Type in this command and hit Enter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Dism.exe \/online \/Cleanup-Image \/StartComponentCleanup<\/pre>\n
\n- Wait for it to finish and then close the Command Prompt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Method 3: Use disk cleanup<\/h3>\n
Disk cleanup is a legacy tool that allows you to check for useless files on your machine and delete them.<\/p>\n
Here is how to use it to clean up the WinSxS folder:<\/p>\n
\n- Press the
Windows key + E<\/code> combination to open the File Explorer.<\/li>\n- Select This PC<\/em> on the left menu pane.<\/li>\n
- Right-click on Local Disk (C:)<\/em> and choose Properties<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Go to the General<\/em> tab and click the Disk Cleanup\u201d<\/em> button at the bottom.<\/li>\n
- Head to the \u201cFiles to delete\u201d section and select checkboxes for the files you want to delete. Then click on the OK<\/em> button.<\/li>\n
- If you want to free up more space, click on the Clean up system files<\/em>\u00a0button.<\/li>\n
- Select the checkbox for Windows Update Cleanup<\/em>\u00a0and other files you want to delete.<\/li>\n
- Finally, click on the OK<\/em> button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nRelated<\/strong>: Disk Cleanup Tips: How to Compress a Drive to Save Disk Space in Windows 10<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMethod 4: Use storage sense<\/h3>\n
The other simple way to clean up the WinSxS folder is through storage sense in Windows 10. Use these instructions:<\/p>\n
\n- Right-click on the Windows button in the screen’s bottom-left corner and choose Settings<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Go to System<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Choose Storage<\/em> under System<\/em> on the left pane.<\/li>\n
- Head to the Local Disk C section and click on Temporary files<\/em>. If you can\u2019t see that option, click on the Show more categories<\/em>\u00a0link.<\/li>\n
- Clear the selected checkboxes and choose Windows Update Cleanup<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n \r\n
![\"Use]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n- Once done, click on the Remove files<\/em>\u00a0button at the top of the window.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Method 5: Use a professional software<\/h3>\n
Use a professional PC cleaner to thoroughly scan your computer for useless files and effectively remove them. A good example we recommend is Auslogics Windows Slimmer<\/a>.<\/p>\nThis unique app scans your computer for disabled components, old System Restore points, outdated Windows libraries, and Windows update files and automatically deletes them.<\/p>\n
It also lets you tweak your machine\u2019s settings to help boost performance.<\/p>\n
Therefore, if you feel like your regular PC scans don\u2019t remove all the clutter from the system, this tool is what you need. It has a user-friendly user interface, so you can download it and start using it today.<\/p>\n
![\"You](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/see-the-winsxs-folders-size.webp\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Task](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/go-to-the-actions-section-and-click-on-the-run-button-1.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"Use](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/choose-windows-update-cleanup.webp\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n