Mastering NTFS: Enabling/Disabling File Compression

Is your Windows computer running out of storage? There are plenty of ways to remove redundant data and free up some extra space. Among all, the most preferred method is using NTFS file compression.

NTFS file compression is a Windows feature that compresses files and folders by removing reductant data from them. The best part about this feature is that it does its job without damaging the file and losing the data.

Nevertheless, let’s check out some ways to enable NTFS file compression in Windows 11.

1. Enable NTFS File Compression Through the File Explorer

The quickest way to enable NTFS file compression is through File Explorer. Below are the steps to compress a folder:

1. Open the File Explorer and head toward the folder you want to compress.
2. Right-click on the target folder and chooseProperties from the context menu.
3. In theGeneral tab, select theAdvanced option.
4. Under theCompress or Encrypt attributes section, check theCompress contents to save disk space box and clickOK .
   
5. ClickApply >OK to save the changes.
6. In the confirmation dialog box that crops up, choose the Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files option .
   
7. ClickOK.

That’s it, the folder has now been compressed. You can confirm this by comparing the current folder size with its previous size.

From now on, every file or folder that you will move inside the compressed folder will be compressed automatically. To disable compression, uncheck theCompress contents to save disk space box and save the changes.

Similarly, you can compress an entire drive. Here’s how:

1. Open the File Explorer, and right-click on the drive you want to compress.
2. In theGeneral tab, check theCompress this drive to save disk space box.
   
3. ClickApply and then clickOK on the confirmation box that crops up.

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2. Enable NTFS File Compression Using the Command Prompt

If you are a power user, you can use the Command Prompt to enable file compression on Windows 11. Here are the steps to do it:

1. Press theWin + S hotkeys to open theWindows Search.
2. In the search bar, typeCommand Prompt and chooseRun as administrator from the right pane. If this method is not working, you can use any other way to open Command Prompt with admin rights .
3. Type the following command and pressEnter to enable file compression.
   fsutil behavior set disablecompression 0

You’ll see the “A reboot is required for this change to take effect “ message on the console. So, restart your computer to apply the changes.

If you want to disable File Compression, execute the following command in the elevated Command Prompt window, followed by a system restart.

fsutil behavior set disablecompression 1

3. Enable NTFS File Compression Using the Registry Editor

Another quick way to enable compression is through the Registry Editor. Follow the below steps to do it:

1. Open theRun dialog box by pressing theWin + R hotkeys.
2. Typeregedit in the text field and clickOK.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the below location:
   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies
4. Right-click on thePolicies folder in the left sidebar, hover the cursor toNew, and chooseDWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu.
   
5. Right-click on the newly created value and chooseRename .
6. TypeNtfsenablecompression in the text field.
7. Select and right-click onNtfsenablecompression again, and chooseModify .
8. Type1 in theValue data .
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9. ClickOK to save the changes.

File compression is now enabled on your computer. If you want to disable it, type 0 in Value data and save the changes.

4. Enable NTFS File Compression Using the Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor is the go-to place to configure important Windows policies. To use it to enable file compression, follow the below instructions:

1. In the Run dialog box, typegpedit.msc and clickOK.
2. Head towards the following location in the Local Group Policy Editor:
   Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Filesystem\NTFS
3. Double-click on theDo not allow compression on all NTFS volumes policy to open its properties window.
4. Choose theDisabled option.
   
5. ClickApply >OK to enable file compression.

You can disable the file compression by choosing theEnabled option in theDo not allow compression on all NTFS volumes policy properties window.

Free Up Space on Windows 11 With File Compression

Enabling file compression is a great way to free up some space on Windows 11. Using this feature can come in handy when you are running out of space but also don’t want to compress your files using third-party compression tools.

Meanwhile, you might be interested in learning more about the NTFS file system.