How to Clean Up the WinSxS Folder on Windows

Before You Clean

WinSxS is the Windows component store. Explorer’s folder size can be misleading because files may be hard-linked. Never delete its contents manually.

Review and Clean Manually

1. Finish pending Windows updates and restart if requested.

2. Open an elevated terminal and inspect the component store with DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore.

3. If cleanup is appropriate, use Windows’ supported maintenance task or DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup. The DISM command removes superseded versions immediately rather than waiting for the scheduled grace period.

4. Do not add /ResetBase as a routine cleanup step: it prevents uninstalling existing update packages.

5. Let the operation finish, then check free space and Windows Update. Never take ownership of WinSxS to delete files.

Where Kudu Helps

Kudu exposes Windows Component Cleanup as optional Windows-managed maintenance. It invokes native servicing, does not use ResetBase, and does not estimate savings from the entire WinSxS folder. Review the immediate removal of older components before selecting it.

Download Kudu Free → · Cleaning reference

References

• Official maintenance documentation
• Kudu cleaner rules