Category Archives: Windows Updates

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Source: Disk Cleanup Wizard addon lets users delete outdated Windows updates on Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1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

Windows Update stuck in Stage 3 restart loop

Windows Update stuck in Stage 3 restart loop

I have install windows updates yet the server keep say “update stage 3 of 3 0%” and then reboot itself. This goes on in a loop.

To solve this do the following:

  1. Boot the server with ERD commander disk.
  2. Open CMD.
  3. Run command takeown /f C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml
  4. Rename the c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml with command Ren c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml pending.old
  5. Reboot the server