Disk Cleanup utility (CleanMgr) on Windows 2008 R2 Active Directory

Do you need 4GB+ cleaned from a Windows 2008 R2 Active Directory Domain Controller?

In the past, Windows 2008 servers infamously stored obsolete program/update backups in C:\Windows\winsxs\ and there was no safe/supported way to cleanup.  A May 2014 update now allows cleanup.  Reference: http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2014/05/13/how-to-clean-up-the-winsxs-directory-and-free-up-disk-space-on-windows-server-2008-r2-with-new-update.aspx

The cleanup utility can be installed as per the reference: https://support.appliedi.net/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/992/0/how-to-enable-the-disk-cleanup-tool-on-windows-server-2008-r2

To simplify this, here are the commands (specific to Windows 2008 R2 64bit):

copy %systemroot%\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-cleanmgr_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_c9392808773cd7da\cleanmgr.exe %systemroot%\System32\

copy %systemroot%\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-cleanmgr.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_b9cb6194b257cc63\cleanmgr.exe.mui %systemroot%\System32\en-US\

cleanmgr.exe

Select your OS Drive, then Check-mark the Service Pack Backup Files, and continue.

You should regain 4+GB on a Domain Controller (at least that is my experience).

When run on non-domain server, the I've found the Service Pack Backup Files was always 0 bytes.  Unsure why, but your mileage may vary.

If you have a non-R2 or non-64bit, follow the 2nd link referenced (Follow option 2).

Good luck.

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