Windows Updates Disk Space Usage Huge Increase

Hi Stan Kasper,

Yes, a base system disk usage of 30GB or more is now typical for modern Windows systems such as Windows Server 2022 and Windows 11, especially after cumulative updates and added features. Below is a detailed explanation and additional steps you can take to further optimize disk usage.

Why disk usage increases:

Component Store (WinSxS) growth: Even after running DISM /ResetBase, Windows retains some components (e.g., language packs, Features on Demand) that are not removed automatically.

Cumulative update cache: Windows stores update payloads to support rollback and servicing. These files are not always removed by default cleanup tools.

Other hidden space consumers: Memory dump files (e.g., MEMORY.DMP), Shadow copies (Volume Snapshot Service), Hyper-V checkpoints or mounted ISO files, Delivery Optimization cache

Additional cleanup steps:

1. Analyze component store

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore

2. Remove superseded components

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase

3. Delete memory dump files

Remove-Item -Path "C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP" -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

4. Delete shadow copies

Get-WmiObject Win32_ShadowCopy | ForEach-Object { $_.Delete() }

5. Clear Delivery Optimization cache

Remove-Item -Path "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DeliveryOptimization\*" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

6. Remove Windows Update residuals

Remove-Item -Path "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*" -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Hope the above information is helpful!