Windows 10: Do I need the install.esd AND installx64.esd files on my disk?

Hello everyone,

I have both and install.esd and an installx64.esd file on my SSD, each occupy 2.7 GB on my SSD. I think I have them because I upgraded from win8 - correct me if I'm wrong.

My question is that is it possible to save some disk space and remove those files? I do not plan to go back to win8 in the future.

Thank you in advance!

Adam

:)

 

I have 3 install.esd on my hard drive and they take a lot of space can I delete them?

In addition, can you please share the timestamp for these files? Thanks for the info.

C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\Windows\sources\install.esd

C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\installx64.esd

C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Install.esd

 

I have 3 install.esd on my hard drive and they take a lot of space can I delete them?

I have a HP Stream with a small 32 gb hard drive and I ran WirDirStat to see what was taking all the space.

I found 3 files of 2.6 gb named install.esd in 3 different folder. I understand that they are use to install windows but do I need all of them? I haven't found anything online about having 3.

here are the path

C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\Windows\sources\install.esd

C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\installx64.esd

C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Install.esd

thank you

 

Suggestion :
Why don't you copy them to an USB flash drive or to an external hard drive first, then delete them afterwards.
You don't need them now, but they might come in handy in the future.
That Install.esd is for your Windows 10. It can be used to convert into an ISO file which can then be burnt to a bootable installation DVD or USB. You can then use it to reinstall Windows 10 if you need to.

 

Hi Adam, welcome to the Ten Forums.

You can delete those files if you want to, although I would follow the David's suggestion in post above mine.

If you decide to completely delete them, you might want to first create your own Windows 10 install media from them:

Tutorials:

• To create a Windows 10 ISO install image from an ESD file: ESD to ISO - Create Bootable ISO from Windows 10 ESD File - Windows 10 Forums
• To make a bootable USB flash drive from the ISO install image: USB Flash Drive - Create to Install Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

Thank you very much David, I'll save them to my external drive *Smile

 

Thanks Kari a.k.a. Kiitos *Wink

 

You can check what version the files are for. If they are build 10240 and you are updated to build 10586, there isn't much point in keeping the old files. From an elevated ("run as administrator") command prompt type:

DISM.exe /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:\install.esd /Index:1

The part in red is the path to the esd file. Also you can try /Index:2 at the end to see if there is more than one Windows version in the esd file, but at 2.7 gb there probably isn't.

 

Rename them.

Reboot.

Reboot again (why not)

(If no problem) Delete them.

 

omg i just deleted them by mistake on my system with disk cleanup ? how do i get current anniversary install media ? incase i have issues.

 

Relax and take a breath and click here:
Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Forums