Windows 2008 Disk Space and CBS.log

I noticed one of our Windows 2008 servers running low on space on the C: drive and used Disk Usage Analyzer to scan the disk. I had been suspecting the winsxs directory as this has been a culprit in the past:

CBS.log Disk Usage Analyzer

However, this time it turned out to be the C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log file at almost 18GB:

 

CBS.log Disk Usage Analyzer

The CBS.log file is used to log the actions of the SFC (System File Checker) – At 18GB I opted not to attempt opening it in a text editor.

To delete the file I first had to stop the “Windows Module Installer” service. I then deleted the file and to be safe restarted the “Windows Module Installer” service again – although I think it had started again itself. The disk space had been freed up and the CBS.log file was being written to again:

CBS.logApparently the log should be searched for the phrase “cannot repair”  although I was unable to find any instances of that phrase so hopefully all is fine.

5 Responses to “Windows 2008 Disk Space and CBS.log”

  1. Thierry Clicot

    Easy way to get rid of CBS.log problem:

    Main reason is NOT sfc…it’s Windows Update!

    Go into services, disable Windows Update (you’ll have to manually enable again on a schedule..or script it and schedule)

    Make sure Trusted installer service is “Manual” and the STOP it..Now delete all the files in the CBS log directory and reboot…magic!—No more 350mb files (mine was THAT big!!!)

    Also makes startup faster,

    Reply

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>