Ntfs file compression - how to remove from folders

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  1. Posts : 731
    Windows 10 Home - Version 22H2- Build 19045.3758
       #1

    Ntfs file compression - how to remove from folders


    Hi. I just noticed on my small 32GB netbook that a folder on the desktop has the blue arrows on it signifying that Windows 10 has compressed the folder and its contents on its own I guess because I don't have a lot of space left on the netbook.

    I found this tutorial and used a reg file to disable compression:

    Enable or Disable NTFS File Compression in Windows | Tutorials

    I also right clicked the compressed folder/properties/advanced/ deselected compress contents to save disk space/ ok and this uncompressed the folder. I've noticed now that a macrium folder not in that folder is compressed.

    My question is how can i tell which folder files have been compressed by windows besides just searching around? Is there an easy way to uncompress whatever it compressed in one action? Thanks.

    Added: when i check the c drive, i can see a few folders have been compressed like dell and drivers.. the macrium folder is in documents.. its the mybackup files... should i just decompress these folders via right click/ properties?

    Added: so thats what i did.. i dont see anything else that's been compressed. I wonder if that is connected to storage sense... I see its off now as well.
    Last edited by tomseys; 07 Dec 2018 at 12:17.
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  2. Posts : 42,985
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    To answer part of your question- compressed folders (via Properties) should be shown in a different colour:
    Ntfs file compression  - how to remove from folders-1.jpg
    (See Help Downloaded - selected in the background)

    The tutorial you cite simply removes the ability to compress files and folders by NTFS compression, as it says.

    These may be of interest:
    Show Encrypted or Compressed NTFS files in Color in Windows 10 | Tutorials

    while this is historical about blue arrows:
    Show Encrypted or Compressed NTFS files in Color in Windows 10

    ===================

    This probably applies in your case:
    Compress or Uncompress Windows 10 with Compact OS | Tutorials
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  3. Posts : 731
    Windows 10 Home - Version 22H2- Build 19045.3758
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks Dalchina

    Basically, all I want to do is undo what Windows 10 did.. which I did not give it permission to do. I did not want it to compress my files... I have 7GB of space left.. more than enough to run 1803. I don't intend on updating to 1809 for a while so I do not need more space. This is the first time Windows has even done this to me so I assume it is some kind of change on its settings. I've had far less space and it has never compressed files. In future if I need more space to update I'll use a flash drive for the install.

    Anyway, I think i uncompressed what Windows 10 did. Hope it does not do that again.
    Thank you for the links.
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  4. Posts : 42,985
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Bear in mind you have very limited disk space- it is common for such systems that problems occur when upgrading (Windows.old is created e.g.)

    You can find an extensive thread about a couple of weeks old about compressing the OS and its merits/overheads/demerits.

    You can also find a number of threads about systems such as yours with 32Gb eMMC storage.

    Examples:
    How to free up space on 32GB tablet C Drive - Microsoft Community
    Unable to update Windows 10 on PC with 32GB hard drive - cant - Microsoft Community

    https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/67580-not-enough-space-hard-drive-windows-update.html

    post #10
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  5. Posts : 731
    Windows 10 Home - Version 22H2- Build 19045.3758
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I'll check out those links.

    I usually run the netbook with about 6GB of space without problems. If I recall correctly, whenever I've done a feature upgrade, I have to clear a little more space to get to about 8GB free. I do the usual stuff but end up having to remove some things (I then later put back). Then, using a 3.0 Flash drive, i do the upgrade and it has always worked fine. IIRC, it puts windows old on the flash drive. I just delete it (since I use macrium for backups anyway) using Windows Storage Sense (or disk cleanup) which clears that and more stuff and I end up with 8-9 GB of space free with the new feature update till the cumulatives and other things start to lower it.

    This is the first time I've ever seen Win 10 compress my files.. I'm hoping it won't do that again turning compression off since I have my own way of creating more space to complete feature updates. I wonder if keeping storage sense "on" is what triggered the auto compression.. I've turned that off too.
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  6. Posts : 42,985
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    OS compression has apparently been built in to Windows installs without a clear explanation- the thread I mentioned discusses this. Some found the OS compressed and had no awareness of it or loss of performance. Whether it happens or not was not clear from that account- it seemed erratic. In your case, it would seem enitrely appropriate.
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  7. Posts : 731
    Windows 10 Home - Version 22H2- Build 19045.3758
    Thread Starter
       #7

    dalchina said:
    OS compression has apparently been built in to Windows installs without a clear explanation- the thread I mentioned discusses this. Some found the OS compressed and had no awareness of it or loss of performance. Whether it happens or not was not clear from that account- it seemed erratic. In your case, it would seem enitrely appropriate.
    I see now.. the forum thread you posted took the link from the Microsoft link above it...I've since pasted it into url field and looked at it... I'd find it more appropriate if it consulted me first before just compressing things with no explanation, especially when it has never done it before under similar circumstances. But hopefully I've shut it down now.
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  8.   My Computers


  9. Posts : 731
    Windows 10 Home - Version 22H2- Build 19045.3758
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks dalchina.. That's a good thread. My OS was in a compact state (in 1803). I uncompressed it and lost about 2GB of space and have 4.3GB left. Everything seems fine otherwise. File/folders new folders etc are not auto compressing. I'm going to see if i can free up more space with disk cleanup/ccleaner. Maybe I'll block the update suspected of triggering this in future. I don't plan on updating to 1809 for a while. Could be my imagination but system seems snappier in uncompressed state.. not sure. But all seems well in any case.
    Last edited by tomseys; 07 Dec 2018 at 16:53.
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  10. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #10

    When I query my system I get this:

    >compact /compactos:query
    The system is not in the Compact state because Windows has determined that, it
    is not beneficial for this system.
    which is what I would expect since I have a 500GB SSD boot drive (C:), about 1/2 full and two 2TB drives for data.
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