WinSxS (Windows Component Store)

Bottom Line: Never manually delete the WinSxS folder or its contents. However, you can safely shrink it using built-in Windows cleanup tools.

What is the WinSxS folder?

Located at C:\Windows\WinSxS, this is the Windows Component Store. It is one of the most critical folders on your computer.

Windows uses this folder to store copies of system files, Windows updates, and backups of old components. When you install a Windows Update, the old, replaced files are moved into WinSxS so that you can uninstall the update later if something goes wrong. Over time, as you install more updates, this folder grows massive.

Can you delete it?

⚠️ Use Caution, You cannot manually delete it.

If you try to right-click the WinSxS folder and press delete, or if you use a third-party “shredder” tool to force-delete it, your Windows installation will break. You will likely encounter the “Blue Screen of Death” (BSOD), your PC may fail to boot, and you will not be able to install future Windows updates.

However, you can safely clean it up using the proper tools.

How to safely clean up WinSxS

Instead of deleting it manually, you must tell Windows to delete the old, unnecessary backup files inside of it.

Method 1: Using Disk Cleanup (Easiest)

1. Open the Start Menu, type Disk Cleanup, and press Enter.
2. Select your C: drive.
3. Click the Clean up system files button (requires admin rights).
4. Check the box for Windows Update Cleanup.
5. Click OK and wait. This can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes.

Method 2: Using the Command Prompt (Advanced)

1. Open the Start Menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup
3. Windows will automatically analyze and remove obsolete files from the WinSxS folder.

What happens after you clean it?

You will instantly recover several gigabytes of storage space. Your computer will continue to function perfectly. The only consequence is that you will not be able to uninstall any previously installed Windows Updates, as their backups have now been removed.