How can I clean up Winsxs folder?

[Guest raybbr]

I have upgraded from Vista to Win 7 on my laptop. I now want to connect through the server to my HP printer. In order to do so I have to delete (per HP) all references to HP from Windows.

 

In the "winsxs" folder are about a hundred references to HP drivers and software. Even though I have uninstalled all of my HP software the links are still in winsxs.

 

I would like to know how to get rid of not only the references to HP but the rest of the products that I have uninstalled from my system.

 

Is there a clean up tool for the winsxs folder incorporated in W7? If not, why not?

 

I do not want to go through the installation of the the HP software (it takes about an hour) only to find that the remaining references to HP will inhibit the installation and connection to HP printer.

 

I have read several links to tech posts and Microsoft threads about winsxs but nothing explains how to clean up files that are no longer needed. Or, why they remain after uninstalling processes have been run.

 

Thanks, Ray

 

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