asked on

Windows 8: Clean up WinSxS, System 32....

I have windows 8 installed on through VMware Fusion 6 (updated).

The Windows folder occupies a staggering 15.38GB on my computer. I really don't have much program installed besides office 2013, sql server express 2012 (with tools).

But the biggest culprit is the WinSxS folder that alone occupies 7GB, the sys32 3GB. Program Files and Program Files (x86) occupy 5.5 GB each.

What can I do to clean up, mostly the WinSxS and Sys32 folders?

Thanks.

Richard.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Dave Baldwin

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SOLUTION

theComputerMechanic

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jrsylvain

ASKER

Thanks Dave,

I will have to review the files held on my computer...mostly from the program files area

jrsylvain

ASKER

Thanks guys,

I will have to review the files held on my computer...mostly from the "program files" area.

Warm Regards,

Richard.

McKnife

Why did no one mention disk cleanup? It has been pimped for win8 and is now able to remove unneeded update files. Could be GBs. Accessible via right click on c: - properties.

jrsylvain

ASKER

Hi McKnife,

I did try it. But I was not able to free up more than a 1GB.

Thanks.

Richard.

McKnife

And clicked on this as well?

jrsylvain

ASKER

Good morning McKnife,

Indeed, I did try. And yet, as mentioned earlier, it did not help me freeing up more than 1GB.

I have 44GB occupied out of the 60GB on this hdd as follows:

Windows 27.44GB of which is distributed as follows: (WinSxS --> 10.7GB | Installer --> 9.5GB | System32 --> 3GB | Assembly --> 1.7GB | SysWow64 --> 1.2GB), the Program Files is 5.7GB, and the Program Files (x86) is 5.4GB.

I am thinking about finding ways of cleaning the following folders "WinSxS", "Installer", "Program Files", and "Program Files (x86).

Your assistance would be highly appreciated.

Thanks,

Richard.

McKnife

Richard, the winsxs-fight has been fought many times in Forums and the general outcome is "leave it alone". Since disk cleanup has improved, on win8 you won't see that huge Folders anymore, 10.7 GB is big, but it was far bigger on used Vista and 7 systems. By the way, it does not only depend on Windows alone but on what is installed as well. I have a fully updated win8.1x64 here, with open Office, a mail client, Desktop skype and teamviewer alone -
winsxs is 6.4 GB
system32: 3,7 GB
syswow64: 1,2 GB
installer 0,3 GB
[to look at program files and compare is useless for obvious reasons]

jrsylvain

ASKER

Hi McKnife,
I totally agree with you. But what I am looking at is for instance the installer folder inside the Windows folder almost 10 is quite a lot.

Kind Regards,

Richard.

McKnife

As I told you, it depends on what you have installed. office 2013, sql server express 2012 (with tools) are not slim for instance. And you are comparing with a minimalistic system.