After many years with with Windows Server 2008 R2, we received over 200 different Windows Updates. The c:\ partition grows year after year. Among other things, Windows Updates creates uninstall information for every installed update. So if you ever needed, you could revert a single update. There are systems where this is crucial, but there are also many Windows Servers, where we know that this will never be necessary. In this case, you have the ability to use cleanmgr.exe to remove the following things automatically:
- Downloaded Program Files
- Internet Cache Files
- Offline Pages Files
- Previous Installations
- Recycle Bin
- Service Pack Cleanup
- Temporary Setup Files
- Thumbnail Cache
- Update Cleanup
- Upgrade Discarded Files
- Windows Upgrade Log Files
The trouble is, that these options are only available, if you install the Desktop Experience feature. And we all know that we don’t want that on each and every system.
But there is a solution, although it’s unsupported. This description, although thoroughly tested, is provided as-is, and I grant no warranty. Continue reading “Windows Server 2008 R2 – Update cleanup with cleanmgr.exe”