Reduce size of the WinSxS folder

You may note that the WinSxS folder on your Windows Vista/7/Server 2008 system is taking up a large amount of space but in fact the reporting of the size it is using is inaccurate.

Nevertheless, you can still reduce the size by permanently applying service packs and reclaim the disk space used by the SP files (i.e. you will not be able to uninstall them after doing this):

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 installed: VSP1CLN.EXE

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 installed: Compcln.exe

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 installed: DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /SpSuperseded or run the Disk Cleanup Wizard (cleanmgr.exe)