disk-spacewindows server 2008
Related Question:
Why does the /winsxs folder grow so large, and can it be made smaller?
My server 2008 installation drive is eating space like anything. Specially the winsxs folder.
Trying compress it results in a “file/folder is currently accessed” error.
Any suggestions to free up hard disk space?
Reduce before Install
This works the best but is a bit hard to do. This was how I ran Windows 7 on 8 GB Netbook. I haven't tried to do much of this but these wonderful people seem to have tried to do what you want. They got it down to a pretty tight package. I think there was a discussion on SU here.
Disable System Protection
There are step-by-step instructions here.
Control PanelSystem ProtectionSystem Properties dialogSystem Protection tabThat will save you a little space.
When you open Explorer and select properties, Windows reads the free space from the NTFS bitmap metafile. Selecting all files/folders in explorer and showing properties, scan all files/folders. But Windows skips here hidden files/folders and folders where your current user doesn't have read permissions (System Volume Information folder for example).
You should use TreeSizeFree (run it as admin) to see which folders take most space:
Best Answer
For winsxs see this article. The most relevant part is:
My advice is not to touch this folder. It's essential for Windows.
The only general advice for saving space is to uninstall the Windows software that you don't need. Anything else is dangerous grounds.
EDIT
You can, however, delete the contents of the Windows temporary files directory at
C:\Windows\Temp.