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Windows Installer folder using 34% of my C drive

Anonymous
2016-02-02T04:35:44+00:00

Hello All,

I have Win7 Pro on my computer.  My hard drive is partitioned on C drive (111GB) and D drive (820GB).  My C drive is 98% full so I have been looking at ways to release some space.

The following folders are using 34% of my C drive:

c:\windows\installer

c:\windows\winsxs

I have ran numerous times the disk clean up utility and the defrag tool.

I have found several posts recommending several things such as:

  1. Using Windows Installer CleanUp Utility (no longer available???).  I couldn't fnid it on the microsoft support page
  2. Using the "fix it" tool (which I can not find on the microsoft support page either)
  3. Using MsiZap.exe.  Per Windows, this is a tool that is only available in the "Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers".  Once the MsiZap.exe is available you can run it using a command prompt with the following command "msizap.exe !G".  I understand this will delete any cached Windows Installer data files that have been orphaned.
  4. Copying the files within the folders on a different location, delteing the folders from C drive and then creating symbolic links to the files with the new location.

Before deleting the folders and creating symbolic links, I will like to try running MsiZap.exe.   Can Microsoft provide a safe place where I can get MsiZap.exe it?  

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-02-02T17:44:37+00:00

    My apologies, it was a typo.  The C drive size is 111GB.  I have edited my original question to correct this.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-02-02T17:44:20+00:00

    My apologies, it was a typo.  The C drive size is 111GB.  I have edited my original question to correct this.

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  3. LemP 74,935 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2016-02-02T15:47:10+00:00

    See Gerry's response.  A Windows 7 system partition of 11 GB is very unlikely.  If that's in fact what you have, your best option is to increase the size of C:

    Unfortunately, the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility and msizap.exe, which was included as a part of it, do not work in Windows 7. 

    The Microsoft replacement is https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/mats/program_install_and_uninstall?wa=wsignin1.0 but I don't think this will remove "orphaned" entries from C:\Windows\Installer like msizap did on XP.

    This thread discusses the symbolic link method (among others) for dealing with a large C:\Windows\Installer folder for Windows after XP.  I have no personal experience doing that, so can't comment on its safety for Windows 7 --> http://superuser.com/questions/707767/how-can-i-free-up-drive-space-from-the-windows-installer-folder-without-killing

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-02-02T14:52:13+00:00

    C drive (11GB)

    Are you sure you are telling us the correct size?

    Please provide a copy of your System Information file. Type System Information in the Search Box above the start Button and press the ENTER key (alternative is Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Information). Select File, Export and give the file a name noting where it is located. Do not place the cursor within the body of the report before exporting the file. The system creates a new System Information file each time system information is accessed. You need to allow a minute or two for the file to be fully populated before exporting a copy. Please upload the file to your OneDrive, share with everyone and post a link here. Reports in normal mode preferred. Please say if the report has been obtained in safe mode. If the report is in a language other than English, please state the language.

    For help with OneDrive see paragraph 9.3: http://www.gerryscomputertips.co.uk/MicrosoftCommunity1.htm

    Please type Disk Managementin the Search box above the Start button and click Create and format hard disk partitions. You should see a window like the image below.

    Please usePrint Screento create an image of what you see and post a copy here.

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