The C:\Windows\WinSXS directory can get way too big for comfort. On my Win2k8 VMWare image it was 10.9 gigs. On a VMWare image that’s just wasted space. After a little research I settled on a few steps to help me trim the fat down to 6.72 GB:
- Issued the command: dism /online /cleanup-image /spsuperseded
- Install and run CCleaner
- Delete all the files in C:\windows\winsxs\Backup
I also experimented with WinSxs Lite — but it was taking too long for me to be able to see what a difference it makes. I’ll leave it running overnight at some point and report back. By the way, you’d be crazy to try using WinSxSLite on a real machine. I’m doing it because if it hoses my VMWare I restore with the press of a single button.