Windows 10: Disappearing hard drive space with SFC /Scannow

Open a Command prompt. Use DIR on each drive letter in order to identify what letter is being used for your Windows system drive. It is unlikely to be seen as C: when you are booting from a USB. In this example my C: drive appeared as E: when booting from a USB. I created the e:\scratch folder before running the command. The install media was on the D: drive. the index 1 at the end of the /source parameter is for Pro, for Home you should use 2.

Code: dism /image:e:\ /cleanup-image /restorehealth /source:esd:d:\x86\sources\install.esd:1 /scratchdir:e:\scratch /limitaccess[/quote] If you have the install.wim rather than the .esd, then use...
Code: /source:wim:d:\x86\sources\install.wim:1[/quote] You may well have to change the drive letters and source path to match what you have on your system.

 

Out of curiosity may I ask where the OP even got the idea to delete the WINSXS folder???

This is the one of the dangers of listening to some of those on-line so-called "Windows experts". Especially in forums where there isn't some type of moderation and pushback from those that really do know what they're talking about. Luckily we have those checks and balances here.

Anyway Bree and others have this well under control, I just wanted to add that comment.

Peace.

 

Oddly enough, the WinSXS is indeed getting larger each time i use sfc /scannow (it failed to fix the corruption). I did confirm it.

The strange thing is when i tried to search by date of modification(like today), i could not find the files that was added or modified.

I will try Bree suggestions. His suggestion is the best so far!

Bree, thank you for taking the time to write this. I can't believe there are good people like you helping others *Smile.

 

It depends on how you were determining the 'size' of WinSxS, File Explorer can be misleading ...

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...-winsxs-folder

It may well be that sfc /scannow had duplicated some hard links, making WinSxS appear larger without actually growing in size. This effect can lead to some amusing side-effects *Smile
Cleaning up 3.99TB space on a 100GB HDD?

 

How do fix this if sfc /scannow duplicates hard links?

 

Once you can boot into a working windows, use Disk Clean up and its 'clean up system files' button. That should fix it.

 

I got an error while trying Bree commands,

Cannot access files of scratch directory. Make sure you have permission.


Another question: If i RESET my pc from window 10 boot, does it really delete all my files(documents and pictures)?

 

You need to make the scratch directory before you run the dism command. If the drive you want to use for the scratch folder is E: then from a command prompt type:

MD E:\SCRATCH

 

Before you go through trying to install Windows 10 again. Run Crystaldisk. I've used itin my computer repair business for years and it has caught a few HDD's that are dying. Just for simplicity pay attention to the color it comes up with at the top. If green oh Yellow caution, Red is a bad drive and you will need to replace it before installing Windows.

 

You can reduce WINSXS folder size by executing following Dism command.

Code: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase[/quote] After executing this command you cannot uninstall currently installed Windows updates.

Reduce the Size of the Component Store (WinSxS folder)