winsxs folder clogging C:\

[mdench]

On two of our windows file servers we have an issue where the C:\Windows\winsxs folder is nearly 16GB meaning that it is clogging and filling up the C:\

 

Having looked this up on line they suggest running disk clean up and then cleaning system files to remove Windows Update Files or by running: dism /online /cleanup-image /spsuperseded in an elevated CMD.

 

However in disk clean up we don't have the option they talk of and when we run the CMD option we get Service Pack Clean up Cannot proceed: No Service Pack backup files were found the operation completed successfully.

 

One server is 2008r2 and the other is 2012 and both are fully to update.

 

Does anyone have any ideas how we can fix this issue?

[Gatt]

Short (and rather unhelpful I'm afraid..) answer is - You can't before 2012 R2

 

To clean it up in Windows 8.1 / Windows 2012 R2:

 

Clean Up the WinSxS Folder

 

HERE BE DRAGONS...

All existing service packs and updates cannot be uninstalled after this command is completed. This will not block the uninstallation of future service packs or updates.

Edited April 3, 2014 by Gatt

[mdench]

But according to this i should be able to? Windows Server: Information about the WinSxS Directory in Windows Server 2008 and Later | Dell Belize Unless im reading it wrong?

[Gatt]

Not using Win8 / 2012 so can't comment on that (using 8.1 & 2012 R2)

 

As for 2008 / 2008 R2 - the only thing you can run is /SPSuperseded

And AFAIK that is only for post -Service Pack cleanups

[mdench]

I hate windows don't have this problem with my linux servers

[AlexB]

I'm fairly sure that the update (via Windows Update) for Disk Cleanup was for at least Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 and includes an option near the bottom to remove expired/superceeded Windows updates which are usually clog up winsxs

[sparkeh]

I spent a long time looking into this for 2008R2 (had same problem) and came to the conclusion that you can get rid of old service pack installation files but that's about it. The rest is there to stay (do not delete anything manually! )

 

Good to see 2012R2 is better in this regard.

[mdench]

I spent a long time looking into this for 2008R2 (had same problem) and came to the conclusion that you can get rid of old service pack installation files but that's about it. The rest is there to stay (do not delete anything manually! )

 

Good to see 2012R2 is better in this regard.

 

 

deleting stuff and seeing how long windows survives is all part of the fun!

[mdench]

I'm fairly sure that the update (via Windows Update) for Disk Cleanup was for at least Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 and includes an option near the bottom to remove expired/superceeded Windows updates which are usually clog up winsxs

 

yeah did that and it only removed about 1GB of stuff

[DMcCoy]

I'm fairly sure that the update (via Windows Update) for Disk Cleanup was for at least Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 and includes an option near the bottom to remove expired/superceeded Windows updates which are usually clog up winsxs

 

The update is only for 7, *not* for 2008 r2. While you can add the cleanup utility, the hotfix cannot be installed.

[Ausy]

I had similar problems on our 2008 servers. The fix below gave back a good amount of space. No idea if it would work on 2012. Can't remember exactly where on the internet I found it but I copied and kept the post below.

 

You may refer to the following steps to remove the file under the %windir%\winsxs\ManifestCache\ to release some disk space that the WinSXS folder takes.

Run the following commands from an elevated command prompt:

Net stop trustedinstaller

NOTE: Wait for it to stop and ensure it stops successfully. If you are unable to stop the service, you may need to restart your machine.

Takeown /f %windir%\winsxs\ManifestCache\*
Icacls %windir%\winsxs\ManifestCache\* /GRANT administrators:F
Del /q %windir%\winsxs\ManifestCache\*

Edited April 3, 2014 by Ausy