HDD compression

"My Computer" , "Tools" > "Folder Options" > "View"  says

"Specifies that the names of files you compress or encrypt on NTFS drives appear in a color when you view them in a folder window.  This does not apply to folders you compress using ZIP compression utilities."

To test this  use "Folder Options" > "View"  & un-tick "Show ...........NTFS files in color"

Even if Compression has been removed from HD "Disk Cleanup" > "Compress old files" is still active.

Use "Disk Cleanup" , scroll to "Compress old files"  & click button to View setting , days.

If you don't want it to auto Compress unused files you can Delete HKEY "Compress old files" from registry.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Compress old files

If you want the Folder(s)/file(s) shown in blue to be uncompressed  , right click , select Properties , Advanced button & remove tick from "Compress contents....."

If you want to uncompress sereral file at once try "Disk Cleanup" select HD partition > "Compress old files"  , click on button & set days to max 500 (I think).
Then with only "Compress old files"  ticked click OK.
Then re-open "Disk Cleanup" & check "Compess old files" for space saved , it should be 0 if all files were uncompressed. (less than 500 days between last use)

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Whereas  HD Compression says;

"Specifies that this NTFS drive be compressed. By default, only files in the root directory are compressed automatically. To have Windows compress all folders on this drive, select the Also compress subfolders check box in the message that appears."

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 02-22-2004 09:42 AM

gryjhnhpe, Thanks for the information. I have one more question about compression, will computer transfer files faster if they are not compressed. Will the HDD speed be faster?  Thanks Doogie (wozzie's husband)

Message Edited by wozzie on 02-21-2004 06:03 PM

Help & Support says;

"You may notice a decrease in performance when working with NTFS-compressed files. When you open a compressed file, Windows automatically decompresses it for you, and when you close the file, Windows compresses it again. This process may decrease your computer’s performance. "

Thanks for your advice, I un-compressed the folder contents on my 2nd HDD and uncashed speed went from 1.59MB/s on partition E: to 3.77MB/s, and 0.84MB/s on partition F: to 5.23MB/s. This information is what I got from PcPitStop test. My C: HDD with Windows XP on it always checks at around 3...MB/s which is slow according to test comparision with other users with similar computers. I don't think I have any other compressed files, and have no idea how to improve speed. The C: HDD is 7200 RPM 2MB buffer, and the 2nd HDD is 7200 RPM 8MB buffer, this may be the reason C: is a little slower. Thanks again for your help. Doogie (wozzie's husband)