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how to streamline windows 10 Image

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I am trying to reduce the size of my windows 10 Image for quicker backup and restore.  

Can I remove files from driversstore and Winsxs?

If so, how do I decide which ones are safe to remove.

 

Thank you,

Steve

Build 6613

 

0 Users found this helpful

Stephen, I would caution against removing any files from the locations you mentioned unless you can find a utility which will offer to do this in a guaranteed safe way, only removing orphaned or obsolete data.

I would recommend using the Disk Cleanup tool provided with Windows and then after doing the initial scan for data to cleanup, click on the option to clean System files which will relaunch the scan again but will now include additional system files and folders that can be safely removed, including old Windows installation files in the Windows.OLD folder (if present) plus cleanup old Windows Update files etc.

The other method of reducing the size of your Windows 10 OS drive backup is to organise how your data is kept on your system, i.e. create a second partition on the drive (if only one drive) and move your Documents, Pictures, Videos etc to that second partition to be backed up separately from your main OS & Programs backup.