The WinSxS folder is the Component Store located in your C:\Windows directory where core Windows files reside including the bits needed to turn on and off any Windows features you enable from the Control Panel. Not only are these files critical to the operation of Windows 10 but when updates to Windows are installed, these files get updated. Every time you receive updates for the OS, the WinSxS folder dramatically grows in size. A commonly asked question by many people is "Why is the WinSxS folder so big?" Here is how you can clean up the WinSxS folder and reduce its size in Windows 10.
Category: Windows 10
How to delete Scan with Windows Defender from context menu in Windows 10
As you might have already noticed, in Windows 10 version 1511, Microsoft implemented a context menu item for Windows Defender. Now it is possible to scan selected files and folders in File Explorer with one click by right clicking and launching Windows Defender. If you do not want this "Scan with Windows Defender" verb/context menu item, here is how you can safely remove it.
Microsoft raised Windows 10 version to 10586.17 with KB3116908
One more cumulative update for Windows 10 has been released by Microsoft. Like the previous one, the new update also affects the version number of the operating system. Now it is 10586.17.
How to see the actual size of the WinSxS folder in Windows 10
The WinSxS folder, which is located inside the C:\Windows folder, represents the Component Store in modern Windows versions like Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows 8. In Windows 10, this folder is used to store system files which are then hard linked to C:\Windows\system32. When you install updates, the files in the Component Store get updated. Due to such architecture, it is hard to say how much disk space is exactly used by the WinSxS folder! Because it contains many hardlinks, File Explorer reports the wrong folder size. Let's see how to see the actual size of the WinSxS folder in Windows 10.
Download .NET framework 4.6.1 offline installer
Yesterday, Microsoft rolled out a new version of .NET framework. If you are interested in getting its full offline installer, you will find links in this article. Having the offline installer is useful to install it on multiple PCs or without having to connect your device to the internet.
Change color of inactive title bars in Windows 10
Previously there was an issue in Windows 10 that title bars were not colored at all. This outrageous design was changed by the TH2 update so colored title bars became available like all previous releases of Windows. But the title bar of a window when it becomes inactive/unfocused still cannot be easily changed. Many users are looking for a way to change the color of inactive title bars in Windows 10. With Windows 10 November Update, it too became possible although Microsoft has not documented it. Read this article to learn how it can be done.
Where to find Lockscreen Spotlight images in Windows 10?
Windows Spotlight is a fancy feature which exists in Windows 10 November Update 1511. It downloads beautiful images from the Internet and shows them on your lock screen! So, every time you boot or lock Windows 10, you will see a new lovely image. However, Microsoft made the downloaded images hidden from the end user. Here is how you can find those images and use them as your wallpaper or somewhere else.
Windows 10 build 10586.14 available, all downloads are restored
Microsoft has restored all downloads with an updated build, Windows 10 build 10586.14. Earlier, the company had rolled out all ISO images and Media Creation Tool of the TH2 update and then pulled them abruptly. Now, everything has been returned however this shows the fragile nature of the rapid release development lifecycle where serious untested bugs can crop in.
Windows 10 version 1511 removes your apps as you update builds
It has come to be known that when you upgrade Windows 10 to a newer build such as TH2 (Version 1511), it removes apps silently which are incompatible with the new build. The operating system does not warn the user, it is removing apps secretly. It is not possible to know exactly which apps will be removed in advance.
Recent places – add to the left pane in Windows 10 File Explorer
In Windows 10, Microsoft removed the widely used Recent places option from the navigation pane of File Explorer. Instead, it has the "Recent files" and "Frequent folders" groups inside the Quick Access folder. Many users who used Recent places found this change inconvenient, because your recently opened folders were just one click away. Today we will see how to add Recent places to the left pane of File Explorer in Windows 10.
