Can I delete Winsxs folder?

[Bob]

My C drive is 40 GB (Vista SP2) and c:\windows\winsxs folder is 8 GB. How
can I decrease it, delete it safetly...?

[Indrajeet Pal]

Hi Bob,

Winsx folder stores multiples copies of dll files inorder to let the multiple applications to run in windows without any compatibility issues. If you browse inside, you will see what look like a lot of duplicate dlls, each having the same name. These are actually, different versions of the same files which are being stored; as different programs may require different versions.

In short, Winsxs, which stands for 'Windows Side By Side', is Vista's native assembly cache.

Libraries which are being used by multiple applications are stored there.

It occupies almost 40% of the Windows folder ! While the size of this Winsxs folder, in XP is around 25-50 MB; its large size in Vista. So you can not delete the folder. If you delete you will face compatiblity issue while running different applications and porgams in your pc.

THANK YOU......

[Bob]

Thnx for explanation.

why it's that by design - it must assign 40-50 GB for system partition...

[Richard Urban]

See
http://blogs.technet.com/askcore/arc...-so-large.aspx

--

[Ian D]

At 8GB you must be running 32 bit Vista and not a lot of large
apps. If you have 64 bit Vista and MS Office and similar apps,
winsxs will reach 20GB, or more, in size. Winsxs will grow
as you install more apps.

[Indrajeet Pal]

Please follow the link below you will get all the details regarding winsxs folder.

http://www.winvistaclub.com/f16.html

Hope this helps you

[Bob]

I understand all of this, but really don't understand why all installed
applications are stored on this folder and Program files also... Well, for
normaly work on Vista we must assign 40-50 GB for system partition, even
there is only 5-10 programs installed. Very confused...

[Bill Daggett]

40-50 GB with only 5-10 programs installed is a gross exaggeration.
Mine is 46 gigs with 112 installed programs, 3 gigs of Documents and 3
gigs of Pictures. Music is on a different drive.

[Richard Urban]

I have installed Vista on many computers in a 30 gig partition. Even after
installing some behemoth programs, such as Office 2007 Ultimate, I still
typically have 10-15 gig of free space.

How are you coming up with the need for a 50 gig partition? Please explain!

[+Bob+]

Winsxs (pronounced win-sucks) is yet another horrible band-aid
solution from MS. Instead of correcting the OS deficiencies, they
continue to patch it with half ass solutions.