Windows Server 2008R2 disk cleanup with limited space

Question

Windows Server 2008R2 disk cleanup with limited space

Chris 1

I have a physical server with 60Gb system drive but the winsxs folder contains over 30Gb of updates. Running Disk Cleanup finds these updates and wants to clear them out but the task doesn't complete.

Instead the CBS.log file fills up (grows to over 1Gb) and fills the remaining space on the system drive.

Is there a way to run the Disk Cleanup without creating the CBS.log or relocating this file to another drive so not to fill up the system drive?

Jenny Feng 14,246 Reputation points

2020-10-09T08:21:31.06+00:00

@Chris
Hi,

Just checking in to see if the information provided was helpful.

If the reply helped you, please remember to accept as answer.
If no, please reply and tell us the current situation in order to provide further help.
Chris 1 Reputation point

2020-10-09T13:43:33.093+00:00

Thanks for the information, there wasn't much in the Software Distribution folder as I'd already tried deleting it and when it re-populated it was relatively small.

I rebooted the server earlier this week and when I logged back in it had cleared 16Gb of space so the Disk Cleanup must have shifted some of the old Windows Updates. I think that when I reset the Software Distribution folder and installed the one pending update (Malicious Software Removal Tool) it allowed the Disk Cleanup to run correctly. Perhaps the pending update prevents it completing fully?

Anyway, the server is now in a better situation with free space so thanks for your efforts to find a solution.

3 answers

Your answer

Jenny Feng 14,246 Reputation points

2020-10-09T08:21:31.06+00:00

@Chris
Hi,

Just checking in to see if the information provided was helpful.

If the reply helped you, please remember to accept as answer.
If no, please reply and tell us the current situation in order to provide further help.
Chris 1 Reputation point

2020-10-09T13:43:33.093+00:00

Thanks for the information, there wasn't much in the Software Distribution folder as I'd already tried deleting it and when it re-populated it was relatively small.

I rebooted the server earlier this week and when I logged back in it had cleared 16Gb of space so the Disk Cleanup must have shifted some of the old Windows Updates. I think that when I reset the Software Distribution folder and installed the one pending update (Malicious Software Removal Tool) it allowed the Disk Cleanup to run correctly. Perhaps the pending update prevents it completing fully?

Anyway, the server is now in a better situation with free space so thanks for your efforts to find a solution.

Answer 1

@Chris
Hi,
You could use the following extra ways to free up disk space in Windows Server:
https://www.saotn.org/5-extra-ways-to-clean-up-disk-space-in-windows-server/

You can also move the Windows SoftwareDistribution folder to a different partition.
https://www.saotn.org/windows-server-disk-cleanup/#move-windows-server-softwaredistribution-folder
Please note: The given technical support contact information belongs to a third party and may vary without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the information accuracy.
Hope above information can help you.

============================================

If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

Leon Laude 86,031

Hi @Chris ,

Something here might help:

Clean Up the WinSxS Folder
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/clean-up-the-winsxs-folder

----------

(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote or accept as answer, thank you)

Best regards,
Leon

Answer 3

Chris 1

Thanks @Leon Laude but that looks like it relates to Windows 10/Server 2016 rather than 2K8R2.

I've tried the DISM commands, in particular the /SpSuperceded switch but it finishes with a message about not finding a service pack installed (or something similar). The server has SP1 installed but I think the 30Gb+ is an accumulation of updates since SP1.

Leon Laude 86,031 Reputation points

2020-09-30T11:11:59.29+00:00

Yes but some of these methods are still viable in Windows Server 2008 R2, try using the DISM method:
Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

Also have a look here:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/core-infrastructure-and-security/how-to-clean-up-the-winsxs-directory-and-free-up-disk-space-on/ba-p/257250
Chris 1 Reputation point

2020-09-30T11:50:47.363+00:00

I have update KB2852386 installed and when I run the DISM command I get "The startcomponentcleanup option is not recognized in this context". When I check the help on the /Cleanup-Image switch, the only options available are /RevertPendingActions, /SPSuperceded and /ScanHealth.

It seems Disk Cleanup is the way to go but it creates a huge log file consuming the limited free space available so it doesn't really solve the problem!
Leon Laude 86,031 Reputation points

2020-09-30T12:02:25.417+00:00
If a Service Pack is installed on the server, you can use below command to free up some space from WinSxS folder.

Run the following command in an elevated Command Prompt:

DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /SpSuperseded
Chris 1 Reputation point

2020-09-30T12:13:11.933+00:00

The server is running SP1 but the DISM command returns the following message:

"Service Pack Cleanup can't proceed: No service pack backup files were found. The operation completed successfully."

I think the 30Gb+ of updates are all post SP1.

Share via

Windows Server 2008R2 disk cleanup with limited space

3 answers

Your answer