windows-cleanup.md

windows-cleanup.md

1. How to use WSL in a different partition of my Windows machine?

Answer:

You can install or move WSL distros to a different partition like this:

Option 1: Install a New WSL Distro to a Different Drive

1. Download .appx file (e.g., Ubuntu).

2. Extract it to D:\WSL\Ubuntu using Expand-Archive.

3. Register it via:

   .\ubuntu.exe install --root

Or:

wsl --import UbuntuCustom D:\WSL\Ubuntu .\install.tar.gz

Option 2: Move an Existing Distro

1. Export it:

   wsl --export Ubuntu D:\WSL\ubuntu_backup.tar

2. Unregister:

   wsl --unregister Ubuntu

3. Import:

   wsl --import Ubuntu D:\WSL\Ubuntu D:\WSL\ubuntu_backup.tar

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2: What is the file AppData\Local\Docker\wsl\data\ext4.vhdx?

Answer:

It’s a virtual hard disk (VHDX) used by Docker Desktop for storing:

• Docker images
• Containers
• Volumes

Located at:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Docker\wsl\data\ext4.vhdx

If Docker Desktop was removed, this file may still remain. It can be deleted if you're sure Docker is not in use.

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3: I don’t have Docker Desktop installed

Answer:

If you see ext4.vhdx but don’t have Docker Desktop, it likely remains from a previous installation.

You can:

1. Run:

   wsl --list --verbose

   If you see docker-desktop*, unregister them:

   wsl --unregister docker-desktop
   wsl --unregister docker-desktop-data

2. Then delete:

   C:\Users\<You>\AppData\Local\Docker
   

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4: Can I remove the AppData\Local\Docker directory?

Answer:

Yes, if Docker Desktop is uninstalled and docker-desktop WSL distros are removed via:

wsl --unregister docker-desktop
wsl --unregister docker-desktop-data

Then it's safe to delete:

C:\Users\<You>\AppData\Local\Docker

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5: How to find unnecessary files that can be deleted in AppData\Local?

Answer:

Look for:

• Orphaned folders from uninstalled apps
• Cache/log/temp folders

You can safely delete:

• AppData\Local\Temp
• Folders of uninstalled apps

Use PowerShell to list large folders:

Get-ChildItem "$env:LOCALAPPDATA" -Directory |
Sort-Object { (Get-ChildItem $_.FullName -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum).Sum } -Descending |
Select-Object Name, @{Name="SizeMB";Expression={[math]::Round(($_ | Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum).Sum / 1MB, 2)}}

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6: I see a lot of space taken by AppData\Local\Packages, how to optimize that?

Answer:

Do the following:

1. Identify large folders:

   Get-ChildItem "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Packages" -Directory |
   Sort-Object { (Get-ChildItem $_.FullName -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum).Sum } -Descending |
   Select-Object Name, @{Name="SizeMB";Expression={[math]::Round(($_ | Get-ChildItem -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum).Sum / 1MB, 2)}}

2. Delete leftover folders from uninstalled Store apps.

3. Use Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps to reset or uninstall unused apps.

4. Manually clear cache from:

   • LocalCache
   • TempState

5. Use Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense to remove Delivery Optimization Files.

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