Windows 11 offers a built-in file compression feature that allows you to reduce the size of files and folders without needing third-party tools. This can be especially useful for freeing up disk space on your system.
Important Considerations
This file compression feature is only available on drives using the NTFS file system and comes with some potential drawbacks. On lower-end computers, enabling file compression might impact performance. When you move or copy a compressed NTFS file to a different location, the system temporarily decompresses the file, transfers it, and then recompresses it at the new location. This process consumes CPU and RAM resources, which could slow down your system.
However, if you have a high-performance PC, you’re unlikely to notice any significant performance issues during these operations.
Steps to Enable File Compression on Windows 11
Follow these simple steps to enable file compression on your Windows 11 PC:
1. Open File Explorer: Navigate to the folder you wish to compress.
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2. Access Folder Properties: Right-click on the folder and select “Properties.”
3. Enable Compression:
– In the Properties window, go to the “General” tab.
– Click on the “Advanced” button.
– In the Advanced Attributes window, check the box for “Compress contents to save disk space.”
– Click “OK” to confirm.
4. Apply Changes:
– When prompted, choose “Apply changes to this folder only” and click “OK.”
Once compression is enabled, you’ll see two blue arrows over the folder icon, indicating that the folder is compressed.
Compressing an Entire Drive with NTFS on Windows 11
If you prefer, you can also compress an entire drive using NTFS file compression:
1. Open File Explorer: Locate the drive you want to compress.
2. Access Drive Properties: Right-click on the drive and select “Properties.”
3. Enable Drive Compression:
– In the Properties window, check the box that says “Compress this drive to save disk space.”
– Click “Apply.”
4. Apply Changes:
– In the next pop-up, select “Apply changes to this drive only” and click “OK.”
Enabling NTFS File Compression via Command Prompt
You can also use the Command Prompt to enable NTFS file compression:
1. Open Command Prompt:
– Type “Command Prompt” into the Windows Search.
– Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
2. Enable Compression:
– In the Command Prompt, enter the following command:
`fsutil behavior set disablecompression 0`
– You’ll receive a message stating that a reboot is required for the change to take effect.
3. Disable Compression (if needed):
– To disable file compression, use this command:
`fsutil behavior set disablecompression 1`
That’s how you can enable file compression on Windows 11. If you’re using a low-end PC, consider applying NTFS compression only to folders or drives that you don’t access frequently to minimize any potential performance impact. learn more
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