On Windows, you can use the folder compression feature to save disk space . This type of compression is different from that obtainable with Winzip, Winrar, 7Zip and other programs to create and open compressed file archives.
With Windows compression, files are treated as normal and can be used by the system and by the user (while archives must first be unpacked to use the files inside them).
Compression of files on a Windows PC can only be done if the hard disk is formatted in NTFS, which should be normal for any computer.
NTFS is the filesystem, that is the way files are stored and managed, typical of Microsoft Windows systems.
READ ALSO: How to compress program and game folders
Windows file compression is a little debated topic because today hard drives are so spacious in terms of Gigabyte that there is hardly a need to save space.
However, it remains an important function that can come in handy on older and portable computers with full hard drives.
The gains are higher if files such as text documents, e-mails, executable files are compressed while it is irrelevant for the already compressed ifles and therefore the jpg images, the mp3 files, the Avi videos and, of course, the archives. zip or .rar.
NTFS compression has the advantage that the files are automatically decompressed and appear as normal in Windows.
By default, compressed files and folders are marked with a different color than the others (if not, go to folder options and then on the view menu).
If it is true that with compression you gain disk space, it is also true that it increases the loading time in Windows operations and, therefore, in some cases, a decrease in performance.
This is because Windows needs to unzip them before they can be made available for use.
In another article it is well explained when it is convenient to activate NTFS compression on folders and disks .
The option to compress files or folders in Windows is available directly in Windows Explorer.
Just click on a file or folder with the right mouse button, go to Properties and then, from the General tab, click on Advanced .
To start the compression of the files, you have to put the check under " Compress files to save disk space " and then click on Ok and Apply .
If you take note of how much space that file or folder occupies before and after compression, you can find out whether or not it's worth using this feature.
Folders and files can be compressed in the same way: the option for folders is " Compress content to save disk space "
If you press the Properties button on the icon of a hard disk inside the Computer folder, you will find the " Compress Drive to save disk space " option.
In this way, compression affects all files and folders.
What is recommended to compress files and folders on Windows "> save disk space by eliminating unnecessary files;
- decrease the file size without loss of quality
