How to Clean WinSxS Folder Safely in Windows 10

This guide shows you how to safely reduce the size of the WinSxS (Windows Side-by-Side) folder in Windows 10, freeing up several gigabytes of disk space without breaking system updates or uninstalling components you need. You’ll use built-in tools like Disk Cleanup and DISM, which are designed to remove outdated versions of system files while keeping your PC stable. Before starting, ensure you have administrator access and a stable internet connection (for some steps).

What You’ll Need

• An administrator account on Windows 10
• A stable internet connection (for the DISM /StartComponentCleanup step, which may download replacement files)
• At least 10–15 minutes of free time, depending on drive speed
• Patience – the cleanup can take a while, and the folder size may not shrink dramatically in File Explorer (see FAQ)

Step-by-Step

1. Check the current size of WinSxS. Open File Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\WinSxS, right-click it, and select Properties. Note the size – but remember, this number is misleading because many files are hard-linked (see FAQ). The actual “cleanableâ€� space is usually much smaller.
2. Run Disk Cleanup (the safe, simple method). Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter. Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually C:). Click OK.
3. Open the “Clean up system files� option. In the Disk Cleanup window, click the button that says Clean up system files. It will re-scan the drive – this may take a few minutes.
4. Select the Windows Update Cleanup option. In the list, check Windows Update Cleanup. Also check Delivery Optimization Files and Temporary files if you want to free more space. Leave other options unchecked unless you know what they do.
5. Start the cleanup. Click OK, then Delete Files. The process may take 10–30 minutes. Do not interrupt it.
6. Use DISM for a deeper cleanup (optional but recommended). Open Command Prompt as administrator: right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
7. Run the component cleanup command. Type the following and press Enter:
   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
   This removes superseded versions of components. It can take 20–60 minutes. Do not close the window.
8. Optionally reset the base of superseded components (more aggressive). If you need more space and you’re sure you won’t need to uninstall any current updates, run:
   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase
   This permanently removes all superseded components, so you cannot uninstall existing updates afterwards. Use only if you’re comfortable with that.
9. Verify the cleanup. After DISM finishes, check the WinSxS folder size again. It may not drop as much as you hoped, but the “actual� size (what you can reclaim) will be lower. To see the real cleanable space, run:
   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
   This shows “Component Store Cleanup Recommended� and the actual reclaimable size.
10. Reboot your PC. Restart to finalize any pending changes and ensure system stability.

Common Mistakes

• Deleting the WinSxS folder manually. Never delete or move the entire folder – it contains critical system files. Doing so will break Windows.
• Using third-party “WinSxS cleanerâ€� tools. These often delete files that are still needed, causing update failures or system instability. Stick to built-in tools.
• Running /ResetBase without thinking. This prevents you from uninstalling current Windows updates. If you might need to roll back an update, skip this option.
• Interrupting the cleanup. Closing the command prompt or shutting down during DISM can leave the component store in an inconsistent state.
• Expecting a huge size drop in File Explorer. Because of hard links, the folder size shown in Properties doesn’t reflect actual disk usage. Use the DISM Analyze command to see the real reclaimable space.

Tips

• Run Disk Cleanup regularly (every few months) to keep the component store from growing too large.
• If you have very little disk space, consider using the Storage Sense feature: go to Settings > System > Storage and enable automatic cleanup of temporary files.
• Always create a system restore point before running DISM with /ResetBase, just in case.
• If you have a small SSD, consider moving non-essential files to another drive to free space, but never move WinSxS.
• After a major Windows feature update (e.g., 22H2), the component store grows significantly – run cleanup soon after to reclaim space.

Troubleshooting

• DISM fails with error 0x800f081f or similar. This usually means the component store is corrupted. Run sfc /scannow first, then try DISM again. If that fails, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (requires internet).
• Disk Cleanup doesn’t show “Windows Update Cleanupâ€�. This option only appears after you click “Clean up system filesâ€�. If it’s still missing, it may be because there are no superseded updates – that’s fine.
• The cleanup seems stuck. Be patient – it can take over an hour. If the command prompt has been idle for more than 2 hours, you may need to restart and try again, but first let it run overnight if possible.
• WinSxS size didn’t decrease. Run the AnalyzeComponentStore command again. If it still shows a large size, you may have many “installedâ€� components that are actually in use – nothing to clean. Also, the folder size in Explorer is misleading; trust the DISM analysis.
• You get “Access Deniedâ€� when running DISM. Make sure you’re running Command Prompt as administrator (right-click > Run as administrator).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the WinSxS folder so big, and why doesn’t it shrink much?

WinSxS contains all system components, including multiple versions of the same file (for update rollback). Many files are hard-linked, meaning they appear in the folder but don’t actually take extra disk space. The “real� size is what you can reclaim, which is often much smaller than the folder’s reported size.

Can I just delete the WinSxS folder?

No. The WinSxS folder is essential for Windows updates and servicing. Deleting it will corrupt your system and may prevent Windows from booting.

What’s the difference between Disk Cleanup and DISM?

Disk Cleanup removes temporary update files and old versions of components that are no longer needed. DISM’s /StartComponentCleanup is more thorough – it removes all superseded versions, even those that might be needed for uninstalling updates. /ResetBase goes further and permanently removes all superseded components.

Will cleaning WinSxS affect my ability to uninstall updates?

Using Disk Cleanup or DISM without /ResetBase keeps the ability to uninstall most updates. However, /ResetBase removes all superseded components, so you cannot uninstall any currently installed updates after that.

How often should I clean WinSxS?

There’s no fixed schedule. Run it when you notice low disk space or after a major Windows feature update. Over-cleaning isn’t harmful, but it’s unnecessary – the component store grows only when updates are installed.

Is it safe to use third-party tools to clean WinSxS?

It’s not recommended. Third-party tools may delete files that Windows still needs, leading to update failures or system instability. The built-in tools are safe and sufficient.

Related

• Add Devices Google Home: Setup Guide
• How to Choose a Steam Fair Project That Fits Your Skills Time and Budget
• FC 26 Server Maintenance: When Servers Come Back Online