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#1
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compress drive to save space
Hello
I refer to the C drive Properties where there is an item under the General tab for compressing drive to save disk space. Upon checking this, the popup says to choose between Apply changes to C:\ only or Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files. I was wondering if choosing either would affect any active programmes in that drive. Thanks for the advice. Menk |
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#2
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compress drive to save space
Menikos wrote:
Hello I refer to the C drive Properties where there is an item under the General tab for compressing drive to save disk space. Upon checking this, the popup says to choose between Apply changes to C:\ only or Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files. I was wondering if choosing either would affect any active programmes in that drive. Thanks for the advice. If you compress the root folder (C:\) you will not be able to boot Windows, when you boot you will get an error message stating that ntldr is compressed. When Windows is up and running the files will be "decompressed" "on-the-fly" when they are needed or opened, the operating system will do this seamlessly and without user intervention. There is however a bit of overhead involved when the files are "decompressed" and depending on how the machine is used there may be a slight performance hit. Best practices are that you should not compress the whole boot volume, for best performance the Windows directory and supporting files should not be compressed and the same should be followed for the Programs folder. If you are at the point where you must resort to this amount of compression you need to clean out your disk and get rid of unused files or move them to another volume, or you need to buy a bigger hard drive. John |
#3
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compress drive to save space
the infamous SHOULD NOT.
it is not a good idea to compress the drive. once you use small amount of the new space you can not uncompress the drive. drives are so cheap these days. it would be better to purchase a larger one and upgrade to it. of course being that your system can handle a larger drive. "Menikos" wrote in message ... Hello I refer to the C drive Properties where there is an item under the General tab for compressing drive to save disk space. Upon checking this, the popup says to choose between Apply changes to C:\ only or Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files. I was wondering if choosing either would affect any active programmes in that drive. Thanks for the advice. Menk |
#4
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compress drive to save space
On Mon, 1 Dec 2008 22:18:14 +0800, "Menikos"
wrote: Hello I refer to the C drive Properties where there is an item under the General tab for compressing drive to save disk space. Upon checking this, the popup says to choose between Apply changes to C:\ only or Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files. I was wondering if choosing either would affect any active programmes in that drive. Thanks for the advice. Read John John's reply, and also note the following: 1. Compressing drives is generally bad for performance. 2. A disk problem on an uncompressed drive usually leads to the loss of a single file. But a disk problem on a compressed drive can lead to the loss of everything on the drive. 3. Considering points 1 and 2 above, and considering that large drives are very inexpensive these days, compressing to save disk space is a poor bargain. If you are short of disk space, I recommend buying and installing a second drive or a replacement drive instead. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
#5
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compress drive to save space
You might want to consider freeing up some space by using some or all of the
techniques I've posted below instead of turning on drive compression. First use Windows 'Disk Cleanup' to create more space on your C: drive. Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312 Next: Empty the Recycle Bin. If you recently installed Windows XP Service Pack 3: Look for an odd folder name which is located here C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\cf8ec753e 88561d..........\ Note: the apparent random set of letter and number may vary from my example above but whatever the name is, it will be more than 600MB in size and can be safely deleted. You may also see a number of other folders or files located in the: C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\ directory They also can be deleted. You can also free up more disk space by reducing the number of 'System Restore' points: Select Start/Control Panel/System, then in the System Properties window click on the System Restore tab. Next select the drive letter where Windows is installed (usually C, Then click on the Setting button Now in the Drive Settings window move the Disk space usage slider to the left to reduce the amount of drive space System Restore points will use. This will remove some of the older restore points and free up some space. Disable Hibernation and delete hiberfil.sys file (If you have it enabled): http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/1...-xp-and-vista/ and: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...hibernate.mspx If you are using IE7 and then installed SP3 read the info below. IE7 users will find the folders listed below on their hard drive: $NtServicePackUninstallIDNMitigationAPIs$ $NtServicePackUninstallNLSDownlevelMapping$ They are needed to uninstall IE7. However, if you installed IE7 and then installed XP SP3 you can no longer uninstall IE7 and these folders can also be deleted. Note: The recommended procedure before installing XP SP3 is to uninstall IE7, then install XP SP3. Now you still have the ability to install and uninstall IE7. Next if you still need more space: Remove the files used to uninstall updates to Windows These folders and associated files in these folders are safe to remove, however once deleted you will no longer be able to un-install a patch or update that was associated with the deleted folder/files. I would keep the most recent set (last two months just in case) of folders and delete the older updates. As a safety net I burned these folders to a CD before deleting them. These files are located in the Windows folder and have folder names like $NtUninstallKBXXXXXX$. They are hidden folders so enable viewing of hidden files in Windows Explorer. Warning: One folder you should not delete is: $hf_mig$ Also See the following web pages on this issue: http://www.pagestart.com/ntuninstall.html http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm If you upgraded your PC from Windows 98 to Windows XP. The $Win98UpdateUninstall$ can be deleted. You can reduce the size of the Internet Explorer Disk Cache: How and Why to Clear Your Cache: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...learcache.mspx Just follow the instructions but instead of increasing the size (as stated in the article) decrease it. Finally: Check the Recycle Bin one more time and empty it if necessary as some of those files you deleted in the steps mentioned above may find there way into the recycle bin. If you have more than one partition or drive then: How to Change the Default Location of Mail and News Folders: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307971/en-us Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder (Example: move it to the D drive) See: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310147 Also: http://www.techsupportalert.com/how_..._documents.htm How to move the Spool folder in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q308666 Can I move or delete my C:\I386 directory to free up some space? See: http://ask-leo.com/can_i_move_or_del...ome_space.html Note: C:\i386 is not to be confused with the C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 folder which should not be moved or deleted as Windows File Protection needs those files JS http://www.pagestart.com "Menikos" wrote in message ... Hello I refer to the C drive Properties where there is an item under the General tab for compressing drive to save disk space. Upon checking this, the popup says to choose between Apply changes to C:\ only or Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files. I was wondering if choosing either would affect any active programmes in that drive. Thanks for the advice. Menk |
#6
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compress drive to save space
the infamous SHOULD NOT.
it is not a good idea to compress the drive. It's not good or bad; it's a matter of choice and saves space. once you use small amount of the new space you can not uncompress the drive. Incorrect. A simple tick in Properties will remove the compression, or moving the file to an uncompressed drive/folder will also decompress it. When using such a file, windows will uncompress it on the fly withou user intervention also. This is one of the few areas in windows where there don't seem to be many problems. drives are so cheap these days. it would be better to purchase a larger one and upgrade to it. Very true. Once space gets tight, anything you do will be a stop-gap bandaid and may become too small again quickly. The best and semi-permanent solution is more disk space. of course being that your system can handle a larger drive. "Menikos" wrote in message ... Hello I refer to the C drive Properties where there is an item under the General tab for compressing drive to save disk space. Upon checking this, the popup says to choose between Apply changes to C:\ only or Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files. I was wondering if choosing either would affect any active programmes in that drive. Thanks for the advice. Menk If you compress C:\ it will only compress files in that one root directory. Otherwise everything on the disk becomes compressed. That could lead to boot problems; I'm not sure since I've never tried it. It woud be better to compress, say, My documents and everything under it, or any other folder where you keep your data. Programs and most images don't compress much anyway with the exception of .bmp files. XP's compression, by design, doesn't compress as much as say Winzip's legacy compression. This is so the XP compression can be compatible with as many other unzip programs as possible, should people want to do it that way. XP's compression is quite functional but I use WinZip instead so I can compress to greater ratios. XP cannot decompress those, I have to, but I only compress things of little use or things I want to group together into just one file like say, a bunch of letters, or documents, or even images. When I compress something it's usually to take it off the computer after burning it to a DVD for safekeeping. I used to compress my whole external drive but now I let my imaging software compress it; makes things smaller than XP can. Twayne |
#7
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compress drive to save space
Oh yeah, you're the html ignoramus!
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#8
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compress drive to save space
You might want to consider freeing up some space by using some or all
of the techniques I've posted below instead of turning on drive compression. First use Windows 'Disk Cleanup' to create more space on your C: drive. Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312 Next: Empty the Recycle Bin. If you recently installed Windows XP Service Pack 3: Look for an odd folder name which is located here C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\cf8ec753e 88561d..........\ Note: the apparent random set of letter and number may vary from my example above but whatever the name is, it will be more than 600MB in size and can be safely deleted. You may also see a number of other folders or files located in the: C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\ directory They also can be deleted. You can also free up more disk space by reducing the number of 'System Restore' points: Select Start/Control Panel/System, then in the System Properties window click on the System Restore tab. Next select the drive letter where Windows is installed (usually C, Then click on the Setting button Now in the Drive Settings window move the Disk space usage slider to the left to reduce the amount of drive space System Restore points will use. This will remove some of the older restore points and free up some space. Disable Hibernation and delete hiberfil.sys file (If you have it enabled): http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/1...-xp-and-vista/ and: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...hibernate.mspx If you are using IE7 and then installed SP3 read the info below. IE7 users will find the folders listed below on their hard drive: $NtServicePackUninstallIDNMitigationAPIs$ $NtServicePackUninstallNLSDownlevelMapping$ They are needed to uninstall IE7. However, if you installed IE7 and then installed XP SP3 you can no longer uninstall IE7 and these folders can also be deleted. Note: The recommended procedure before installing XP SP3 is to uninstall IE7, then install XP SP3. Now you still have the ability to install and uninstall IE7. Next if you still need more space: Remove the files used to uninstall updates to Windows These folders and associated files in these folders are safe to remove, however once deleted you will no longer be able to un-install a patch or update that was associated with the deleted folder/files. I would keep the most recent set (last two months just in case) of folders and delete the older updates. As a safety net I burned these folders to a CD before deleting them. These files are located in the Windows folder and have folder names like $NtUninstallKBXXXXXX$. They are hidden folders so enable viewing of hidden files in Windows Explorer. Warning: One folder you should not delete is: $hf_mig$ Also See the following web pages on this issue: http://www.pagestart.com/ntuninstall.html http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spack.htm http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_hotfix_backup.htm If you upgraded your PC from Windows 98 to Windows XP. The $Win98UpdateUninstall$ can be deleted. You can reduce the size of the Internet Explorer Disk Cache: How and Why to Clear Your Cache: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...learcache.mspx Just follow the instructions but instead of increasing the size (as stated in the article) decrease it. Finally: Check the Recycle Bin one more time and empty it if necessary as some of those files you deleted in the steps mentioned above may find there way into the recycle bin. If you have more than one partition or drive then: How to Change the Default Location of Mail and News Folders: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307971/en-us Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder (Example: move it to the D drive) See: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310147 Also: http://www.techsupportalert.com/how_..._documents.htm How to move the Spool folder in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q308666 Can I move or delete my C:\I386 directory to free up some space? See: http://ask-leo.com/can_i_move_or_del...ome_space.html Note: C:\i386 is not to be confused with the C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 folder which should not be moved or deleted as Windows File Protection needs those files JS http://www.pagestart.com "Menikos" wrote in message ... Hello I refer to the C drive Properties where there is an item under the General tab for compressing drive to save disk space. Upon checking this, the popup says to choose between Apply changes to C:\ only or Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files. I was wondering if choosing either would affect any active programmes in that drive. Thanks for the advice. Menk That will work; for awhile. But it won't be long before the drive is full again. Consider it as a notice that you need to start thinking about adding more drive space. Bigger drive, another drive, whatever. |
#9
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compress drive to save space
i think that feature was
actually designed for tiny harddrives from the olden days. further, compressing and decompressing is a drag on the system because each time a file is opened and closed, a utility and conversion is involved. the emphasis is on the above words "each time" but with the onset of larger and cheaper disks on the market and the ease of adding the extra drive to motherboard, strategies have changed: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...292441033.mspx however, if you are referring to a laptop then another strategy has to be considered. -- db·´¯`·...¸)))º DatabaseBen, Retired Professional - Systems Analyst - Database Developer - Accountancy - Veteran of the Armed Forces "Menikos" wrote in message ... Hello I refer to the C drive Properties where there is an item under the General tab for compressing drive to save disk space. Upon checking this, the popup says to choose between Apply changes to C:\ only or Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files. I was wondering if choosing either would affect any active programmes in that drive. Thanks for the advice. Menk |
#11
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compress drive to save space
There's that html narcissist kid mikey again. Woof! |
#12
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compress drive to save space
db.·.. ))) ·` .. . databaseben at hotmail wrote:
i think that feature was actually designed for tiny harddrives from the olden days. DoubleSpace/DriveSpace - from the days of DOS 6 Richie Hardwick |
#13
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compress drive to save space
agree...!
-- db·´¯`·...¸)))º DatabaseBen, Retired Professional - Systems Analyst - Database Developer - Accountancy - Veteran of the Armed Forces "Richie Hardwick" wrote in message ... db.·.. ))) ·` .. . databaseben at hotmail wrote: i think that feature was actually designed for tiny harddrives from the olden days. DoubleSpace/DriveSpace - from the days of DOS 6 Richie Hardwick |
#14
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compress drive to save space
On Mon, 1 Dec 2008 20:04:50 -0500, "Twayne"
wrote: There's that html narcissist kid mikey again. Woof! Every time a post from him, I recall the kid in the breakfast cereal commercial who will "eat anything". I don't trust anyone who calls himself "mikey". Don |
#15
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compress drive to save space
you are barking up the wrong leg.
"Twayne" wrote in message ... There's that html narcissist kid mikey again. Woof! |
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