Cleaning Windows11 after update


LVGandhi

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windows 10
I have updated windows 11 from 22621.521 to 22621.608. After update I tried to clean using command
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. But C drive size has not decreased. In windows 10, after doing dism clkeaning, I used clean folder C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and Some folder in C:\windows\servicing\**. How to go about cleaning.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    Memory
    8gb
  • Operating System
    Macos Monterey
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple macbook air M1 2020
One thing to check in the OS drive is if you have a Windows.old folder. I've attached a pdf of some cleaning procedures that I picked up from other users in this forum. See #3 and #8.

If you remove the Windows.old folder, you will not be able to restore your OS to the previous OS. But if you are not having any issues with the new upgrade, you can remove it by following step 8 in the attached.

For the Software Distribution folder, see step 3. You'll have to reboot in safe mode to do this step.
 

Attachments

  • Do These Every Week on Your Windows 11 Professional Computer.pdf
    81.7 KB · Views: 6

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Personal Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700x
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VI AMD X370
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) AOC E2752Vh 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD M.2 and SATA
    Cooling
    Air cooling
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech M705 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Download | 10 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Firefox Beta
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    Windows Security???
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family
    Macrium Reflect (Paid)
    eM Client
    Adobe Acrobat DC (Subscription)
restorehealth only checks for corrupted components and fixes them .
If you want to cleanup:

dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup

If you want to go further, add /resetbase. A warning: that will get rid of windows updates such that you cannot uninstall them anymore.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Photoshop/Game/tinker build
    CPU
    Intel i9 1300KS
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z90 Dark Hero
    Memory
    64GB (2x32) G.skill Trident Z5 RGB 6400 MHZ 32-39-39
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio, Vanatoo Transparent One; Klipsch R-12SWi Sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Eizo CG2730, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme, Raid 0: 1TB 850 EVO + 1TB 860 EVO SSD. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black
    PSU
    850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    EKWB 360 Nucleus Dark AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 1 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fan
    Keyboard
    Glorious GMMK TKL mechanical, lubed modded
    Mouse
    Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    380 Mb/s down, 12 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Macrium Reflect 8 ;-)
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
All you did was go from Windows 22H2 September 2022 release to the September 30th October Patch Tuesday Preview update. At the very most, this will replace a couple hundred MB of files. Note that since the original files are replaced, the increase in size will be tiny.

If you really want to get rid of the update files, simply run the disk cleanup to cleanup the Windows update files, but to be frank, I don't think that I would even bother to expend the effort (my personal opinion).

Since this was simply a patch update and not a feature update, there is no Windows.old involved here.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-11700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A
    Memory
    128GB Crucial Ballistix 3200MHz DRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - CPU graphics only (for now)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (on motherboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe Gen 4 x 4 SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe Gen 3 x 4 SSD
    2 x 512GB 2.5" SSDs
    2 x 8TB HD
    PSU
    Corsair HX850i
    Case
    Corsair iCue 5000X RGB
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black cooler + 10 case fans
    Keyboard
    CODE backlit mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Additional options installed:
    WiFi 6E PCIe adapter
    ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 PCIe adapter
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
restorehealth only checks for corrupted components and fixes them .
If you want to cleanup:

dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup

If you want to go further, add /resetbase. A warning: that will get rid of windows updates such that you cannot uninstall them anymore.
What he said! Followed by:
cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sageset:65535 & Cleanmgr /sagerun:65535

Then select everything on the list that appears.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
What he said! Followed by:
cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sageset:65535 & Cleanmgr /sagerun:65535

Then select everything on the list that appears.
Thanks for that. I guess I should have spelled out how to run disk cleanup in detail.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-11700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A
    Memory
    128GB Crucial Ballistix 3200MHz DRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - CPU graphics only (for now)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (on motherboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe Gen 4 x 4 SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe Gen 3 x 4 SSD
    2 x 512GB 2.5" SSDs
    2 x 8TB HD
    PSU
    Corsair HX850i
    Case
    Corsair iCue 5000X RGB
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black cooler + 10 case fans
    Keyboard
    CODE backlit mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Additional options installed:
    WiFi 6E PCIe adapter
    ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 PCIe adapter
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
Thank you all for help.
But one problem was updating from 521 to 608 changed C: drive volume from 18GB to 27 GB. That is what I was wondering.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    Memory
    8gb
  • Operating System
    Macos Monterey
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple macbook air M1 2020
In the C Drive, or whichever drive you OS is installed, is there a Windows.old folder?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Personal Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700x
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VI AMD X370
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) AOC E2752Vh 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD M.2 and SATA
    Cooling
    Air cooling
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech M705 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Download | 10 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Firefox Beta
    Antivirus
    Windows Security???
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family
    Macrium Reflect (Paid)
    eM Client
    Adobe Acrobat DC (Subscription)

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    Memory
    8gb
  • Operating System
    Macos Monterey
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple macbook air M1 2020
@LVGandhi without searching through your folders on your computer, it's hard to say where the increase occurred. Here is a summary of my experience upgrading to 22H2 last night.

Last night, Windows Update provide me the opportunity to upgrade to 22H2. Before applying the upgrade, I followed all the steps in the .pdf that I provided in this thread earlier. Then I created a restore point and did a back up of my OS drive using Macrium. That image was 22.5 GB in size.

I applied the upgrade. After the upgrade, I confirmed that the old Windows folder was renamed Windows.old and a new Windows folder existed. I performed another back up of the OS drive. After the upgrade, and with no other cleaning, the image was 29.8 GB in size.

Both images are compressed of course. Opening the properties menu of the Windows.old and the newly created Windows folder, the folder size is 17.9 GB and 20.7 GB, respectively. An increase in nearly 2 GB of the Windows folder after applying the 22H2 upgrade.

After a few days of running 22H2 without any noticeable problems, I will clean and remove the Windows.old folder, back up the OS drive, and see how much reduction in size it will be.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Personal Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700x
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VI AMD X370
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) AOC E2752Vh 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD M.2 and SATA
    Cooling
    Air cooling
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech M705 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Download | 10 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Firefox Beta
    Antivirus
    Windows Security???
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family
    Macrium Reflect (Paid)
    eM Client
    Adobe Acrobat DC (Subscription)
@LVGandhi without searching through your folders on your computer, it's hard to say where the increase occurred. Here is a summary of my experience upgrading to 22H2 last night.

Last night, Windows Update provide me the opportunity to upgrade to 22H2. Before applying the upgrade, I followed all the steps in the .pdf that I provided in this thread earlier. Then I created a restore point and did a back up of my OS drive using Macrium. That image was 22.5 GB in size.

I applied the upgrade. After the upgrade, I confirmed that the old Windows folder was renamed Windows.old and a new Windows folder existed. I performed another back up of the OS drive. After the upgrade, and with no other cleaning, the image was 29.8 GB in size.

Both images are compressed of course. Opening the properties menu of the Windows.old and the newly created Windows folder, the folder size is 17.9 GB and 20.7 GB, respectively. An increase in nearly 2 GB of the Windows folder after applying the 22H2 upgrade.

After a few days of running 22H2 without any noticeable problems, I will clean and remove the Windows.old folder, back up the OS drive, and see how much reduction in size it will be.
Thank You very much. My update didnot create windows.old folder.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    Memory
    8gb
  • Operating System
    Macos Monterey
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple macbook air M1 2020
Thank You very much. My update didnot create windows.old folder.


Run Disk Cleanup, check mark all the boxes, and do the same for the "Cleanup System Files" section.


Then run this in an elevated command prompt...
Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦22631.3374 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?

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