Removing winsxs files from HDD

Mik77

Hi I've done a treesize search on my laptop and it's highlighted 16gb in windows folder, 8gb of this is winsxs folder.

Now I know I shouldn't go deleting files which I don't know what they are, but was wondering how these files are building up, ie. a backlog of system restore files or something similar.

If so can the files be accessed through a safe application so I can delete some of them to free up space.

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

The files are essential in order to keep the system stable, which means very few (if any) can be removed and the system remains reliable.

If you are using Vista, then the only thing you can do, and I am in no way recommending you do, is to run VSP1CLN.EXE which will remove all of the components within the folder that Service Pack 1 superseded. This has the effect that SP1 cannot be removed at all, and I'm unsure how compatibility would be affected, nor can I predict what will happen during installation of SP2.

Mik77

Thanks I think I'll just leave them as it is, my pc is over 2 thirds full with stuff, but to be honest the majority if video/photo's which I should to back up to disc once I do that I can start culling the excess files which I've accrued and leave windows as it is.

I sometimes get a bit cynical that MS do this stuff so people go out and buy things like external hard drives etc.