← Back to Clean Directory
How to Clean Windows WinSxS (Side-by-Side Component Store)
⚠️ Exercise Caution
Typical Space Reclaimed: 6.0 GB – 18.0 GB
Location & Quick Verdict
C:\Windows\WinSxS
WinSxS stores system component files, manifests, and previous versions of system files needed for rollback and updates.
Warning: DO NOT manually delete files directly inside WinSxS in File Explorer. Doing so will corrupt Windows updates and prevent your system from booting.
Manual Cleaning Instructions
- 1 Right-click Start and choose 'Terminal (Admin)' or 'Command Prompt (Admin)'.
- 2 Type: dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore to check reclaimable space.
- 3 Type: dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup to safely purge superseded components.
Clean Windows WinSxS (Side-by-Side Component Store) Automatically
SWEEPR Cleaner safely purges Windows WinSxS (Side-by-Side Component Store) plus 40+ other hidden application caches and orphaned files with a single click. Zero risk of breaking Windows.