Windows users that have their file systems formatted in NTFS can take benefit of some further features such as compression. NTFS is a file system is mainly supported by Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7. To see if your file system is running NTFS, then right click on your disk, and go to Properties. At the very top, you’ll see “File System”, which will either be FAT32 or NTFS.

NTFS Features and Limitations:

Now you can make use of NTFS compression to compress particular files and folders, as well as a complete NTFS volume.

You can also reduce a folder without compressing the contents of the folder. You can also work with NTFS-compressed files devoid of decompressing them, since they are decompressed and recompressed without user interference.

You can show a NTFS-compressed file as well as folder names in a special color to make them easier to make out.

You may notice a reduction in performance when you work 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 presentation.

NTFS-compressed files and folders only stay compressed while they are stored on an NTFS Volume.

You cannot encrypt an NTFS-compressed file.

Compress Files or Folders on NTFS Volume

Now double click on My Computer on your desktop.

Right-click on the file or folder which you desire to compress, and after doing it then click on Properties.

On the General tab, click at the Advanced.

Click to choose the Compress contents to save disk space check box, and then click OK, and at last OK again.

In “Confirm Attribute Changes”, click at the selection which you want from the availability.

NOTE: If you are moving or copying a file into a compressed folder, the file which is moved or copied gets automatically compressed in it. If you are moving a file from a different NTFS Volume to a compressed folder, then this file is also compressed. Though, if you are moving a file from the same NTFS Volume into a compressed folder, the file maintains its original state, moreover compressed or uncompressed.

If you are planning to move the files completely from computer to another computer via media, or via the internet, then as recommend use a program like Zip Genius (which is available free on the internet), or WinZip. This software works even if your file system is not NTFS.

How to Compress a complete NTFS volume

You must be logged in the computer as admin or a member of the Administrators group to fulfill this process. If your computer is well linked to a network, network policy settings might also avoid you from completing this process.

For doing this double click on My Computer from the desktop. Right-click at the volume which you desire to compress, and lastly click at Properties.

Now in the General tab, click to choose the Compress Volume to save the disk space, check box, and then click at OK.

In “Confirm Attribute Changes”, click at the alternative you desire.