How to Check WinSxS Folder Size in Windows 11

Have you ever wondered why your Windows 11 computer keeps a large folder called WinSxS? This folder is the Windows Component Store. It holds all the files needed to keep your system running, updated, and repaired if something goes wrong.

Why check this folder? You might notice it takes up a lot of space. However, Windows uses “hard links,” which means files in this folder often appear in other places on your computer too. If you just check the size using a normal folder view, you will get the wrong number.

What happens when done? You will see an accurate report showing how much space the folder really uses, including how much of that space can actually be cleaned up.

The folder is located at C:\Windows\WinSxS.

Files in this folder are used for:

• Installing new Windows updates.
• Turning Windows features on or off.
• Recovering your system if it crashes.
• Removing updates that cause problems.

You might use File Explorer to determine the size of directories to look at your files, but it does not count hard links correctly. To get the real size, you must use a tool called DISM.

How to view the size of the WinSxS folder in Windows 11

Follow these steps to get an accurate report of your storage usage.

1. Open Windows Terminal as administrator. (Note: This requires admin privileges).
2. Select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

Once the window is open, type or copy the following command and press Enter:

Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore

The tool will take a moment to scan your system. Once finished, it will display a table with detailed information about the folder size, including:

• Actual Size of Component Store: The real amount of space used, accounting for hard links.
• Backups and Disabled Features: Components kept for recovery or optional features.
• Cache and Temporary Data: Files used to speed up system updates.
• Component Store Cleanup Recommended: Tells you if you can safely shrink the folder size.

Summary

The WinSxS folder is essential for system health, but it can grow over time. Because Windows uses hard links, regular file checkers give inaccurate size reports. By using the DISM command, you get a clear look at how much space is actually being used by the component store and if a cleanup is recommended to free up disk space.