- In general, most of the files in this folder will be recreated by Windows when they’re needed, so you don’t need to worry about loss of data.
- Since the folder contains log and cache files for previous updates, it may continue to pile up indefinitely.
- When using third-party tools, make sure to create backups to prevent issues down the line.
If you ever wondered where you might find a lot of taken-up space on your hard disk, the answer is: old patches. While Windows does a pretty good job of cleaning up after major updates, some files remain to ensure you can revert apps and programs to previous versions. If you clean Windows Installer folder, you can free up a few GBs of data, at least temporarily. Here’s how.
Option 1 – Clean Windows Installer Folder Manually
While there’s a method to removing the files from the folder, you shouldn’t open it in File Explorer and just delete all the files and folders from there.
Instead, you can use a single folder that stores patch caches (which has the bulk of the files in the Windows Installer anyway) and test out if the deletion works.
Step 1. Open the Run command with “Win + R.”
Step 2. Paste in the following:
C:\Windows\Installer$PatchCache$
Step 3. Open the folder with “Enter,” then look at its contents.
Step 4. Remove folders one by one over a few days. Notably, make sure that the folders are still put in the Recycle Bin (or you’re storing a backup copy on another drive if possible).
Step 5. Repeat the process as needed and recheck how your system works. If you experience issues with a program, return a file to the folder.
Option 2 – Use Disk Cleanup When You See Windows Installer Folder Too Big for Recycle Bin
The built-in Disk Cleanup tool can also remove some leftover files when you find the Windows installer folder too big.
Step 1. Search for “Disk Cleanup” in the search bar, then select “Run as administrator.”
Step 2. You should see the option “Windows Update Cleanup” (if you opened the program as an admin). Check it, then click on “OK.”
Step 3. Wait for the process to finish and follow the on-screen instructions.
Option 3 – Use a Third-Party Tool
There are a few different tools that can remove old and obsolete files. The most commonly used one is PatchCleaner, which is available for free. Notably, the tool hasn’t received an update in several years, so while it’s designed for Windows 10, you shouldn’t get any issues using it on Windows 11.
Step 1. Go to PatchCleaner’s download page and download the executable file. If you encounter issues while downloading the file (such as it being detected as malware), you may need to temporarily disable your firewall or third-party antivirus.
Step 2. Run the installer and follow the instructions (you’ll need to accept the Terms of Use).
Step 3. Open the app.
Step 4. Select whether you want to delete the files or move them to another location (the latter is safer if you have free space on another drive to use). If you do want to move the files to a clean Windows Installer folder, make sure to use the “Browse” button to find the destination.
Step 5. Click on the action, then wait for the process to complete. Hit “Refresh” to see if you’ve successfully deleted the files.
