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June 2025 Featured Software |
| Submitted June 29, 2025 by Dan Delong |
Slimmer is one of several free programs from the Australian firm, Auslogic. All the others are available for a fee. Expect to be reminded of these other products during installation.
Figure 1: I removed the 2nd and 3rd check marks.
If you feel that you no longer need left over Windows files, Slimmer can remove old restore points, old operating system left-overs, and more. But the opening screen defaults to removal of WinSxS folder files. What does this folder contain? Answer: - "...WinSxS folder (short for "Windows Side by Side") is a directory in Windows that contains all the files required for the operating system's installation and operation. It serves as a component store, holding multiple versions of system files, which allows Windows to manage updates and roll back to previous versions if necessary. This folder is essential for maintaining system stability and functionality, especially during updates and installations of new features." If the WinSxS folder takes up an extraordinary amount of space, you may wish to let Windows Slimmer 'have at it'.
Curiously, my first scan for contents of this folder, on an older Win7 (updated to Win 10) laptop, yielded no results, nor did it find old Windows versions, or any Windows demo content, or Windows restore points. A different, almost identical laptop, was also checked. It had about 9 GB worth of WinSxS files. The Win11 laptop had 6.32 GB of WinSxS files [Restarting the first laptop seemed to overcome the failure to find WinSxS folder files (and the others)]. However, it found 611 Windows update files, taking up almost 850 MB. The largest of those may be deleted by Windows slimmer, unless the file names look essential. The same advice goes for the 86 Redundant Windows application folders (about 32 MB). Fortunately, the filenames provide a clue as to their functions, with a warning that, "Removing the folders may cause some applications to work incorrectly." The Regular Maintenace tab results were, as follows:-
Although Windows can empty these locations, users may prefer Windows Slimmer. Even though the next tab - Compact OS - claims to reduce the space needed by the Win10 / 11 operating system by several gigabytes, this feature was disabled on all machines. The App List Cleanup tab lists all installed apps, their size on disk, and rates them as to "Trustworthy", "Not rated", or "Dangerous". Those that are "Not rated" are generally older pieces of software, and not likely in compliance with some updated Microsoft policy. [Apparently, "Tweak Power" is Dangerous... must check into this.] The Windows11 laptop showed no Dangerous programs and very few Not Rated programs... most got a green check mark Right clicking on any programs lets you Change it, Repair it, Uninstall it (or force uninstall), Google it, or Get more details.
Top tabs include 'Report" (similar to task manager), "Portable Version" (for a USB stick), "Ask a Question" (may involve a fee), and "Auslogic Store (with discounts on other Auslogic products)." System requirements: Platform: Windows 7 to 11 Version: 75.0.1.1 Price: FREE Language: English Download Size: 24.4 MB Installed Size: 68.3 MB Rating: Download Site here. |
