C:\Windows\winsxs or Click My Computer > C:\\ > Windows > winsxs.

For the few vista users that are on here on the forum, do wonder why your hard driver seems to be shrinking even though you know darn well all the stuff you have installed hasn't blown through gigs of space? Well I did because at first I though it had to do with a memory issue that SP1 was suppose to fix, but after running the Disk Analyzer to Glary Ultilities I finally found the culprit as why this was happening.

So after doing a little bit of research thanks to google I found some answers as to why this is happening. As for the name of the winsxs folder it is called the Windows Side by Side, and as for my understanding of how this work its what vista uses to run everything or at least the services that are used on your computer, and it also controls the DLL files and the system32 files as well. Like your internet connection, browsers you install and other software. It also seems that this folder is needed for the .NET Frame for some of its coding, and also it replaces the I386 directory as it is no longer there.

The problem is though that you cannot touch this folder as it hold critical system files and it gets rather big once you start installing software. But there is a possible solution but like the post who made this post do it at your own risk.

Disable Vista Services

They have a program cleaner I guess that helps clean up some of the mess in that folder, again warning still applies on being careful not to delete critical files.

Vlite

So now people who didn't know now know, and for those who do know about this and know more about this folder make sure to post it.

This post has been edited by Saint_Michael: Sep 20 2007, 07:09 PM

That's true. I have a 250 Gb hard drive, but it almost "emptied" in a week, or so, although I had used only about 17-180 of it. I think it's because Vista is going nutts on security and creates tons of unnecessary (usually) backup files, that take up a lot of space. I'm not sure as to where to disable it.

Now, that is what I m talking about. Hey man, I tel you what? I am really in love with that thread out there. had to copy and save it somewhere in my laptop. Already disabled some of them services that I aint using.

Checked my winsxs folder and found out that it is 3.94GB in size. I opened it and saw a lota junks (am i right to call that junks?) in there. whatever they are meant for.

As for security there has been only a few updates since August, like mention in my first post it has to do with software installation and that it creates these files to properly work in vista. This also includes vista updates and updates to software. Unless you know what files to delete or having problems with programs I wouldn't suggest deleting them since most of them are system critical files.

I found another interesting link at the MSDN website about how this all works out, and it seems a bit complicated and its pretty late to be reading this as well. So if you up for a challenge read this and see why vista is screwing our hard drive space like this.

so the virtual memory is very low even on a 50 gb hard drive

Hmm... I still haven't used it before. But I have checked some information that microsoft
will do the thing was copyed all installation files to the disk even those that not needed for
daily operation.

I think the data store within the folder should be openable by Windows
new imgaing tools. So that made it easier to know what data will be included with it.
Or may be the best way was using that tool to custom a new image and cut off some
not needed data and installing it with regular method.

Winsxs folder
The Reason Why You Hard Drive Seems To Get Smaller When Running Vista

I think we should unite and file big lawsuite about that WINSXS folder:
Why we need to keep 38000 files and mostly copies of the same file
Of total from 3GB (new install) to 12-15GB after couple months.
I spoke with Microsoft and there is no solution:"everybody going
.NET and that folder will grow up, thats OK, and I can not delete
A piece - system will crash..."" Check yours and will see how much space taking Windows folder.
So who knows good lawyer?


-reply by Sigi

thanks for the information.. now i have another reason not to change my Windows XP to Vista [ yet ]