The option can be found in the Advanced tab in each drives properties.
It can also be accessed using the Disk Management tool.
Enable file and folder compression option is only available in drives formatted with NTFS file system.
But what does this option really do?
NTFS compression keeps files and folders as they are on the file system.
Enabling this option in Windows uses NTFS compression algorithms to reduce file sizes.
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What is NTFS File Compression in Windows?
Windows operating systems use theNTFS file systemwhich supports file compression and decompression.
The NTFS file system uses theLempel-Ziv compressionmethod, which is a lossless compression technique.
This means no data is lost during the compression or decompression of any elements.
The NTFS file compression algorithm can use various techniques to compress data.
However, additional CPU and system resources will be utilized when the file is compressed or decompressed.
This is wherefile compression and decompression librariescome into play.
Thus, applications can use such compression libraries to read and write to the compressed elements without hassle.
This means you cannot expect them to work after moving them to a different file system storage unit.
Does NTFS Compression Affect System Performance?
The next question arises whether you should or shouldnt enable file compression on a Windows computer.
This is a valid question since enabling this Windows feature is not always beneficial.
Even though compression algorithms reduce file size and increase free storage space, it also has its shortcomings.
The first thing to note is that file compression does not always promise a reduction in file size.
Secondly, an already-compressed file may not be reduced in size after NTFS compression.
Another caveat of file compression is that it consumes system resources when compression or decompression takes place.
This is especially useful when working on anetwork file systemor transferring files on the Internet.
When is File Compression Useful?
This is a drastic assumption in the write case, since Lempel-Zivs algorithm has a non-deterministic compression rate.
However, there are also situations when the performance may deteriorate due to compression.
Enable NTFS Compression on a Folder
UseFile Explorerand navigate to the folder that you want to compress.
Right-pick the folder and clickProperties.Open folder properties
In theGeneraltab, clickAdvanced.
This will prompt adialog box.
Select Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files and clickOk.
This step can take a few minutes, depending on the size of the folder.
You may now close thePropertiesdialog box by clickingOk.
The folder will now be compressed.
you’ve got the option to now find the size of the compressed folder from itsProperties.
Close thePropertiesdialog box by clickingOK.
If it suits your condition, use the steps above to compress your folders and drives.
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