Reduce WinSxS folder size in Windows 8 or 8.1

On my machine I reduced the WinSxS folder size with 1183 mb (1.241.054.572 bytes) using a new feature called delta compression.

Note: If you are using Windows 8.0, first install KB2821895 “A servicing stack update is available for Windows RT and Windows 8: June 2013”

Note 2: Current installed Windows Updates can not be uninstalled after following the steps listed below.

 

Open an elevated command prompt and enter this command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

Wait patiently, this will take a while. On my machine it took close to an hour to complete.

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Before & after (make sure to look at the Size on disk).

Consult the cbs.log file if you experience any errors.