Furthermore, Windows 11 does the compression in such a way that the apps you've installed will still view the files as uncompressed (transparent compression). Right-click the newly created folder and select the, Under the "Compress or Encrypt attributes" section, check the. Computers with fast CPUs and slow hard disks. The whole partition is compressed when you enable the File and Folder Compression, meaning that everything in that partition is going to be compressed. You can perform compression on the drive, regardless of whether it has files or not. When you move a file that has been compressed by NTFS compression to another location, the file will be decompressed, then moved and finally compressed again. #2. You can access these files normally no need for cumbersome zipping and unzipping. If you want to disable File Compression, execute the following command in the elevated Command Prompt window, followed by a system restart. Here we will focus on another compression option. Heres how it works. It can be used to compress a partition. Backing up data is of great importance as it makes it easier for one to recover lost data in the future. After reading, you can decide whether to tick this option in Disk Management. To compress any partition or file, follow these steps: This is what is referred to as NTFS compression, and it is a built-in feature in Windows 10 that allows you to shrink files, making them consume less space. Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent. Select the drive to view the volume information. It can reduce file sizes by around . However, if you are using an SSD, this will most likely not affect your performance as it will take less time to load. It makes the file smaller by encoding the content in a more effective manner. Confirm details like device type, manufacturer, and location. You probably have a firmware update. It shows what this option does, how it works, and when to use this option. Allowing an app to have file system access enables it to have access to the same files and folders to which you have access. To save disk space, most people may choose to delete unnecessary files or to compress the disk to reclaim free space. For example, very little space will be saved if you compress a zipped file. Although it's possible to format, review details, and change various settings from within File Explorer, the Disks & volumes settings and the Disk Management console offer the most options to manage storage drives on Windows 11. Or, instead of using the entire drive to store files, you may want to resize the volume to create additional volumes to store different types of files. What Would You Enter At The Command Prompt To Start A New Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Session, [Resolved] How to Fix System Thread Exception Not Handled Error in Windows 10, How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x800704c7 on Windows 10, How To Fix Facebook Dating Not Showing Up, [Solved] Spectrum Router Red Light Issues, [Solved] Display Driver Nvlddmkm Stopped Responding and Has Successfully Recovered, How to Fix zsh: command not found: python, How to Fix Ethernet Doesnt Have A Valid IP Configuration, How To Fix The Local Device Name Is Already In Use. Fixing Xtools XToolkit Installation Error, Troubleshoot DeepMotion Preview Not Working: Tips and Tricks. Take a look at a 5 MB uncompressed data set. This is time-consuming if your processor is not as fast as possible. Head towards the following location in the Local Group Policy Editor. What is Enable file and folder compression in Disk Management? Compression of the system under Windows 10, Best free file compression software for Windows, How To Fix: Excel Document Not Saved Error, How to Get Rid of Couldnt Create New Partition Error on Windows 10, How to Troubleshoot Command Prompt Error 50 on Windows PC, How to Resolve Code 80244o2f: Windows Update Error, How to Restore You dont have permission to save in this location Issue on Windows 10, Troubleshooting: Windows Updates Error 0x8024401c in Windows PC, Fixed: PDF Preview Handler `This file cannot be previewed` Error, How to Resolve Gray xs on Desktop Icons in Windows 10 PC. Furthermore, every file and folder you drop into that hard drive will also be compressed. There are plenty of ways to remove redundant data and free up some extra space. To compress a folder, follow the steps below: Now every file or folder you drop into that compressed folder will also be compressed. After the streams contents are changed, the entire partition will be compressed individually. Here's how: In Windows 10, goto Start > Settings > Privacy > File system. Compressed files, by default, will be listed in blue by Windows Explorer (only when using native compression) Compression is lossless (obviously) and will not affect your files in any way. Similar to the new Disks & volumes experience, Disk Management has the tools to set up new volumes, including formatting, changing labels and letters, enabling compression, and changing volume size. What Is the Definition of a Compressed File? - Lifewire We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. But note that do not compress system file and system drive. For that reason, we recommend that you avoidzipping encrypted files. In his spare time, he designs and codes websites and makes video games. Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read more than one billion times---and that's just here at How-To Geek. After working for 25 years in the computer and electronics field, he now enjoys writing about computers to help others. For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources: All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards. Save space on small solid-state hard drives. 00:00. Computers with slow CPUs, such as laptops with low-voltage power-saving chips. The Disk Management console includes an option to shrink or extend the size of the drive to manage multiple volumes on the same drive. Most of his time is spent in front of his computer or other technology to continue to learn more. What is Enable File and Folder Compression option? When you apply compression to a folder, it automatically copies the new folder to the exact location as the original one leading to a ZIP File with minimal space. The file will also be expanded before they are transferred over the internet so this may even make things slower. Undoubtedly, this enabling option is helpful. The process works by first compressing the data streams into the CUs. Windows system files and other program files. Usually, it is wiser to enable NTFS compression on an empty drive so that any files that will be added in the future will be automatically compressed. Can You Use Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the Same Time? Should You Use Windows' Full-Drive Compression to Save Space? Sometimes you may ask yourself whether it is necessary for you to enable NTFS folder and file compression on your disk drive. If you must convert from Basic to Dynamic Disk on Windows 11, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the drive will become dynamic to allow you access to other storage features, such as mirror, stripped, and parity, and you will also have the ability to expand the storage across multiple drives. To use it to enable file compression, follow the below instructions: You can disable the file compression by choosing the Enabled option in the Do not allow compression on all NTFS volumes policy properties window. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community. However, you can still find many scenarios to use this feature. When you purchase through our links we may earn a commission. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. You could use the feature to archive files you don't use often. This means the apps can access the data in the files and work with it normally without decompressing it. The file compression and decompression libraries take an existing file or files and produce a file or files that are compressed versions of the originals. 2. It is sure that you can convert these FAT32 and exFAT partition by formatting them to NTFS with Disk Management and tick the Enable file and folder compression option. The wizard will automatically bring the storage online, initialize, and set a default partition style. Should You Use Windows Full-Drive Compression to Save Space? This feature is available within the Disk Management tool. He has a Bachelor's in Information Technology and is now a full-time freelance writer with expertise in Windows, iOS, and browsers. You can read the post. Should you Enable File and Folder Compression? - Appuals.com However, if your laptop has a very slow hard drive, it is not clear whether compression will help or affect performance. The option will automatically compress everything on the new partition. You can also use the same instructions to convert the drive to MBR. You can also compress both the original and compressed files and send mail. After the three steps and click the Close button, you will see that FAT32 has been successfully converted to NTFS. Step 1: Download MiniTool Partition Wizard by clicking the following button, install it and then launch it to get its main interface. If you use NTFS compression on a server with a high CPU load, the CPU load of the server increases and access to files takes longer. On the other hand, others suspect that compression may affect the quality of their backup data. Some of her articles also touch on YouTube usage and issues. "Enable file and folder compression"is an option in Disk Management and it shows up when users create a partition or format a partition via Disk Management. Windows 11 still includes Disk Management, which is the legacy interface to manage primary, secondary, and removable drives connected to your computer. However, if the disk already has contents, the NTFS compression will need to spend extra time compressing the existing files. Also, decompression is required to send the files over the network, which means the feature won't save you bandwidth, and it'll need more time to complete the process. You can open these files like any other file. Then follow the guide mentioned in How to Use NTFS Compression Windows 10. That is Enable file and folder compression. Visit our corporate site. To change the drive letter from the Settings app on Windows 11, use these steps: After you complete the steps, the new letter will apply to the drive. Compressing the files and folders can help you get back a lot of disk space, but it can also make things worse if you are not using it in the following situations: If so, it is suggested to minimize the size of the files that are rarely used. Take a look at a 5 MB uncompressed data set. As for converting exFAT to NTFS, the conversion process is completely different from the above conversion process. The reason is that slow-down of access may be not noticeable if you never access the files. Type the name of the folder and press Enter. The GPT style overcomes the limitations for drives up to 9.4ZB and supports 128 primary partitions, and it's the style required for devices using Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). ChatGPT vs. Google Bard: Which AI Chatbot Is Better at Coding? What is Enable File and Folder Compression? Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. The amount of space it can save is determined by the type of files to be compressed. If your computer has a fast CPU but a slow hard drive, reading a compressed file might be faster. To allow or deny file system access for one of these programs, check the settings in the program itself. You can access these files normally no need for cumbersome zipping and unzipping. For example, it could be another option to reduce space usage if running low on disk space. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Should I enable file and folder compression or not? This is a non-destructive process, which means that you should be able to convert the drive without worrying about the data. In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Privacy > File system and make sureAllow apps to access your file system is turned On. If not, please leave your questions in the following comment zone and we will answer the questions as soon as possible. Usually, when initializing a new disk drive, you are asked to choose whether or not you wish to allow the folder and file compression. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Files that are not frequently accessed. File compression is a feature of the NTFS file system in Windows that removes the majority of a file's redundant data, such as repeating characters in a text file, to reduce its size. When you switch to a larger drive, it means more space to save files without extra resources to compress and decompress the data. For example, it may be another way to free up space, even after deleting temporary files and unnecessary content. During her spare time, she likes to spend time reading, watching videos, and sitting on her Yoga mat to relax. However, you can check the estimated remaining life, spare information, and temperature at any time. Use this feature to reduce the size of files and folders whenever you're tight on space and don't have an external storage device handy. In this section, this issue will be discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages of the process will be explained in detail. Using this experience, you can create new volumes, format, change drive letters and labels, and more. Is it Advisable for One to Compress a Backup Drive? Select the available volume and click the. However, this doesnt necessarily mean it will take any longer to open the file. New York, Allowing access to your file system might give apps access to personal content that you want to manage. Fancy some more room on your Windows 11 PC? In this example, we saved some space by compressing a folder of text files from 356 KB to 255 KB, about a 40% reduction. It's like checking the "Compress contents to save disk space" option for all files and folders on the drive. Is it Necessary to Enable NTFS Compression? His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. On the other hand, "Disks & volumes" is the new experience designed to replace the Disk Management console. Compare the Size on disk field to see how much space you saved. We select and review products independently. Whats the relationship between the Enable file and folder compression option and NTFS file system? Enable file and folder compressionis an option in Disk Management and it shows up when users create a partition or format a partition via Disk Management. When creating a new drive, there are usually two options: enable or ignore the file and folder compression to allow you to save more space. You can always revert the changes with the same instructions, but on step 8, clear the Compress this drive to save disk space option. That is you actually use the technology of NTFS compression when ticking the Enable file and folder compression option. (You wont see much improvement if you compress your music or video collections.). Firstly, even after the unnecessary content and temporary files have been deleted, compression can be an additional way of freeing up some space. Even if you do not need to use additional steps, the background function must be decompressed and recompressed each time you access files, which is a process that requires additional resources. You can also compress a file by following steps 1 through 4 (you dont always have to compress an entire folder). Select the drive letter with the "Drive letter" drop-down menu. The option to compress the drive and all its contents will be selected by default, and you should just click. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. If you zip several JPEG pictures into a folder, the total size of the folder will be about the same as the original collection of pictures. Your email address will not be published. But what if we told you that you can compress your files and folders in Windows 11 to save space and use them without the need for decompression? What is Enable file and folder compression in Disk Management? I am a computer enthusiast and a practicing IT Professional. Tounzip a single file or folder, open the zipped folder, then drag the file or folder from the zipped folder to a new location. Certain Windows programs, such as those that are downloaded from the internet or installed with some type of media (such as a CD, DVD, or USB storage device) wont appear in that list and are not affected by the setting that lets apps access your file system. The following are the steps to follow to compress folders and files on Windows 10: The above steps will apply in compressing a single document/file or a whole folder. Below, you will find cases where NTFS compression is applicable: Below are some of the cases in which NTFS compression may give you negative results: If you have a bad CPU, enabling the compression will overload your system, making the PC slow in processing. If you add encrypted files to a zipped folder, they'll be unencrypted when they're unzipped, which might result in unintentional disclosure of personal or sensitive information. Read it now and decide whether to enable File and Folder Compression. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. To change the partition file system with Disk Management, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the data on the hard drive will erase, and the new file system will apply. (Office documents, text files and PDF files can undergo a significant reduction in file size, while MP3 files and videos are already stored in a compressed format and do not shrink, or shrink only slightly). To compress files and folders with NTFS on Windows 11, use these steps: Open File Explorer. If you have important data, it's recommended to export the files to an alternate location, format the drive with the new file system, and restore the files. Here is the tutorial on how to convert FAT to NTFS without data loss via MiniTool Partition Wizard. Think of the way a folder works in Windows. Windows File and Folder compression will automatically compress the entire partition.If you are not using disk space or experiencing disk performance issues, you do not need to enable file and folder compression immediately. Step 1: Open your File Explorer and expand your exFAT partition. How to Save Space on Storage-Starved PCs With Windows 10s CompactOS. If you have enabled the NTFS compression and the compressed file is 80 MB after the action, it will transfer only 80 MB to the main memory and perform the decompression there. The CPU should spend some time decompressing the file. This behavior occurs even when the file is copied or moved between folders on the same computer. When C drive is full, you can read the post and follow the instructions mentioned in. For the question Should I enable file and folder compression, do you have any own answer after reading the above content? Once you compress this drive, your computer performance will be impacted running slow. In 2011, Tom's Hardware did a benchmark and found that enabling NTFS compression for a Windows system drive shrunk the drive from an original size of 70.9 GB to a compressed size of 58.4 GB, for a 17.6% space savings. Some users prefer compressing their backup files to save on space. A "Basic Disk" is the default option when initializing a drive that allows you to manage partitions and data. Click Apply and then click OK on the confirmation box that crops up. What Is File Compression in Windows 11, and How Do You Enable It? - MUO Enabling file compression is a great way to free up some space on Windows 11. This is because the computer handles this process in the background without significantly affecting performance. The Disk Management tool has been around for a long time, and it's a console that allows you to view all drives (such as SSDs, HDDs, and USB drives), and you can use the available tools to create, resize, format, and change letters and labels for volumes. However, enabling this feature can affect the performance of the computer. If the SSD is filled with text, a lot of space will be saved. Chifundo is a writer for MakeUseOf. However, it may take some time for the computer to open these files since it has to perform the decompression process. This is convenient, whereas this also causes data loss. One of the advantages of NTFS compression is that it automatically shrinks the files in the hard disk, meaning that you dont need to zip and unzip them. Best of all, you can still access the files normally. File compression is a data compression method in which the logical size of a file is reduced to save disk space for easier and faster transmission over a network or the Internet. Can Power Companies Remotely Adjust Your Smart Thermostat? Additionally it is a great way to optimize your computer for maximum performance. Text files are uncompressed, so we saw a big improvement here. This means that one can easily access the files as decompression and compression occur quickly. Enable NTFS File Compression Using the Command Prompt. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. To view the amount of space file compression is saving, use these steps: After you complete the steps, you will have a better understanding about the storage-saving using the feature. The drive, including its files, folders, and subfolders, is now compressed. NTFS Compression for Gaming on your System, 2 Methods to Enable File and Folder Compression (Windows 10). You want to reclaim space on a small SSD. The "enable file and folder compression" option shows up in Disk Management when a user formats a partition or creates a section. What does the Enable file and folder compression do? If that same file were compressed and took up 4 MB on the disk, the computer would transfer only 4 MB from the disk. The NTFS file system available on Windows 11 also includes a lightweight compression feature, which allows you to reduce the size of files and save space while retaining normal access without manual decompression. Do you want to convert FAT32 partitions to NTFS to compress them? Using NTFS compression involves a trade-off between CPU time and disk activity. Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more. Open the File Explorer, and right-click on the drive you want to compress. What Is "Enable File and Folder Compression" on Windows PC? The quickest way to enable NTFS file compression is through File Explorer. It is generally used as an alternative to the prior FAT32 file logs. For example, Office documents, text files and PDF files can undergo a compressed format, while the MP3 files or videos are already saved in a compressed format. To delete a drive volume and its data on Windows 11, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the data will be erased, and the volume deleted from the hard drive. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Tounzip (extract) files or folders from a zipped folder. Although enabling file and folder compression could be helpful when you receive low disk space warning, you may have the following troubles. File system access might be turned off already if youre using a device assigned to you by your workplace, or if youve added a work account to your personal device. Most users prefer the latter option, although they still fear that compressing the data may bring about some problems. The compression is ideal for the following situations. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. After you complete the steps, the volume will appear with the new size on the computer. FAQs Related to Enable File and Folder Compression. The new settings page is meant to replace Disk Management, but the legacy app is still available. It is a suitable way of setting up files that are rarely used for storage. If the partition is already using the GPT style, you can also switch to the MBR (if needed). If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11, you can convert an MBR drive to GPT with these instructions. However, you have to choose the reasons that relate to your specific needs because some of them are not valid for everyone. This will prevent apps from accessing your file system on that device while youre signed in to it. Is "compress OS Drive" worth it on SSD? - Super User However, compressing activation files and folders does not necessarily mean that additional steps are required to start the file. And the beauty about it is that the compression algorithm used does its thing without losing any critical data. Copyright MiniTool Software Limited, All Rights Reserved. When prompted to reduce disk space, its possible to enable file and folder compression. Wed be happy to help you out! It's available through the Storage settings. To change the display name of the drive on Windows 11, use these steps: After you complete the steps, the label will appear on the hard drive. Enable file compression and get some extra space with very little effort. This makes the backup data is very important. And when you want to use it again, you unzip it to decompress it. File Compression and Decompression - Win32 apps What is Enable File and Folder Compression feature?