How to Clean up the WinSxS Directory and Free Up Disk Space on Windows Server 2008 R2.

Source: Disk Cleanup Wizard addon lets users delete outdated Windows updates on Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

Download Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 Edition (KB2852386).

After you install this update, follow these steps to clean up Windows update files.

Note You must have administrator permissions to do this.

1. Start the Disk Cleanup wizard. To do this, use one of the following methods:
   • Method 1: Click Start, type cleanmgr in the Start Search box, and then click OK.
   • Method 2: Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.
   • Method 3: If a Low Disk Space notification appears, click the notification to open the Disk Cleanup wizard.
2. Select the Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 system drive, and then click OK.NoteThis operation might take several seconds because the Disk Cleanup wizard searches for files on the drive that can be cleaned up.
3. If the Windows Update Cleanup option is not displayed on the Disk Cleanuptab, click Clean up system files. If the Windows Update Cleanup option is displayed on the Disk Cleanup tab, go to step 5.Note The Windows Update Cleanup option is available only when you log on by using administrator permissions.
4. Select the Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 system drive, and then click OK.
5. On the Disk Cleanup tab, select Windows Update Cleanup, and then click OK.Note By default, the Windows Update Cleanup option is already selected.
6. When a dialog box appears, click Delete Files.

Notes

• The Disk Cleanup wizard runs in the background.
• You may have to restart the computer to finish the cleanup process.

How To Solve Windows Update error 8000FFFF

if you receive Windows Update error 8000FFFF, it means that there are Windows‌registry values that are blocking the update from being downloaded and installed.

1. Open the Registry Editor by clicking the Start button , typing regedit into the Search box, and then pressing ENTER.‌   if you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2. In the left pane, find and double-click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, and then click COMPONENTS.
3. Right-click COMPONENTS, and then click Export. By default, this file is saved to your desktop, but you can choose any folder.
4. In the File Name text box, type COMPONENTS. You have now created a back up copy of the registry values you’re going to be removing.
5. In the right pane, search for PendingXmlIdentifier, right-click it, and then click Delete. PendingXmlIdentifier might not be listed.
6. In the right pane, search for NextQueueEntryIndex, right-click it, and then click Delete. NextQueueEntryIndex might not be listed.
7. In the right pane, search for AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving, right-click it, and then click Delete.AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving might not be listed.
8. Restart your computer and then run Windows Update again.

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Note

If you need to restore the registry values you modified, double-click the COMPONENTS.reg file on your desktop, and then follow the steps.  Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. You can delete this file once you are finished with it.

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Error codes this applies to:

• WindowsUpdate_8000ffff
• 0x8000ffff
• 8000ffff

AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

via Windows Update error 8000FFFF.