Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Trying to clean out winsxs using DISM, getting an error

Windows Update Cleanup error fix

Quick Answer: Try running DISM /online /cleanup-Image /spsuperseded again after waiting for the existing operation to complete and checking the DISM log file for any errors.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 🎯 Final Words

The error '183' indicates that the DISM operation is currently being serviced by another process, preventing it from completing successfully. This issue affects users who are trying to clean up the Windows Installation Image (WINXS) using the DISM tool on a 64-bit version of Windows.

This problem can be frustrating for users who are running out of space on their system drive and need to free up space by cleaning up the WINXS folder. However, with the right steps, it is possible to resolve this issue and successfully clean up the WINXS folder.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that DISM operations can sometimes get stuck or paused due to other system processes running in the background. This can happen when multiple DISM operations are running simultaneously, causing conflicts and preventing the tool from completing its tasks.
  • Another possible cause of this error could be a corrupted DISM log file, which can prevent the DISM operation from completing successfully.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Restarting the system in Safe Mode and running the DISM command

  1. Step 1: To start, restart your computer in Safe Mode. This will disable any unnecessary drivers and services that may be interfering with the DISM operation.
  2. Step 2: Once in Safe Mode, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following command: `DISM /online /cleanup-Image /spsuperseded`. This command will attempt to clean up the WINXS folder without any conflicts or interruptions.
  3. Step 3: If you encounter the same error, try running the command again after a few minutes. Sometimes, the system may need time to complete its tasks and resolve any conflicts that caused the DISM operation to pause.

Stopping and restarting the Windows Update service

  1. Step 1: Alternatively, you can try stopping and restarting the Windows Update service before running the DISM command. This may help resolve any conflicts between the Windows Update service and the DISM operation.
  2. Step 2: To stop the Windows Update service, open the Services console and locate the 'Windows Update' service. Right-click on it and select 'Stop'. Then, wait for a few seconds before restarting the service by right-clicking again and selecting 'Start'.
  3. Step 3: After restarting the Windows Update service, run the DISM command as described in Step 1 of Method 1.

🎯 Final Words

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error '183' and successfully clean up the WINXS folder using the DISM tool. Remember to restart your computer in Safe Mode or stop and restart the Windows Update service before running the command if you encounter any issues.

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