So, Windows 11 actually has a pretty basic file compression feature built right into NTFS, which can come in handy if you’re running low on disk space and don’t want to bother with third-party tools. The thing is, it’s kinda weird how it works — when you copy or move a compressed file to another folder or drive, Windows basically decompresses it first, then recompresses it after the move. Not sure why it does that, but it does impact system performance because of all the extra CPU and RAM it uses during the process. On some setups, I’ve seen it slow things down quite a bit, so it’s worth keeping that in mind. It’s a nice trick, but it’s not perfect or even very fast, especially if you’re dealing with large files or lots of small ones.
How File Compression Works in Windows 11?
The compression only works on NTFS drives. So, if your drive isn’t NTFS — say, exFAT or FAT32 — this isn’t gonna do anything. When files are compressed, Windows marks them with those blue arrows above the folder icon, which is a dead giveaway that compression is active. Keep in mind, though, if you copy those compressed files somewhere else, Windows will decompress and then recompress them, which might feel redundant or slow, especially on older systems. Honestly, on some machines this fails the first time, then magically works after a reboot, so don’t panic if it acts flaky at first.
How to Enable File Compression on Windows 11
Here’s where it gets a little manual — but not too complicated. You’re going to need to poke around in the folder properties. This is useful when you want to free up space on a specific folder rather than the whole drive. Just be aware that compressing a folder with lots of files might slow things down a bit every time Windows accesses those files, since it’ll have to decompress them on-the-fly. Still, for rarely-used folders or backups, it can be a lifesaver.
How to Enable NTFS Compression for a Folder
- Open File Explorer and find the folder you want to compress.
- Right-click it, then choose Properties.
- In the Properties window, switch to the General tab and click Advanced.
- In the Advanced Attributes dialog, check the box that says Compress contents to save disk space. This is the magic switch.
- Hit OK, then when prompted, select Apply changes to this folder only or include subfolders/files if you’re feeling ambitious.
Once that’s done, you’ll see those blue arrows, telling you the folder is now compressed. Keep in mind, it applies to the entire folder and all its contents, which is actually pretty handy for larger backup folders or rarely accessed archives.
Compress an Entire Drive with NTFS
- Open File Explorer and right-click on the drive you want to compress — yes, the main C: drive works too.
- Click Properties.
- Check the box that says Compress this drive to save disk space.
- Press Apply then choose Apply changes to this drive only (or include subfolders if you’re feeling adventurous).
This is good if you’re desperate for space, but keep in mind, your system might slow down a little because every file access has to do some decompressing on the fly. Sometimes, it takes a reboot or a little time to kick in properly, so don’t be surprised if it’s not instant magic.
Enable NTFS File Compression via Command Prompt
If you like working in the terminal or want a more scriptable way, you can turn compression on or off using commands. This is kinda handy if you’re managing multiple drives or want to automate the process. Just a heads up: for the commands to work, you need to run the Command Prompt as administrator (search for Command Prompt, right-click and choose Run as administrator) because it’s a system-level change.
- Open Command Prompt as admin.
- To enable compression globally, run:
fsutil behavior set disablecompression 0. This command flips the switch to allow compression. - You’ll get a message saying, “A reboot is required for this change to take effect.”
- Reboot your PC, and the compression should take effect.
- Want to disable compression? Run:
fsutil behavior set disablecompression 1, then reboot.
This method acts a bit like flipping a switch at the system level, so be careful — it applies to all NTFS drives, not just one folder or file. I’ve seen on some setups where this makes a difference for performance and space management, especially on older computers with limited resources.
All in all, Windows 11’s NTFS compression isn’t the most efficient or fastest, but it’s a decent option when you just need a quick storage boost without extra software. Just don’t expect it to be blazing fast, especially with lots of file movements or big folders. Anyway, hope this kicks old space problems in the behind.
Summary
- Enable folder or drive compression through Properties or Command Prompt.
- Be aware that moving files around can cause decompression and recompression, slowing stuff down.
- It’s best for infrequently accessed data or backups that you don’t plan to open often.
- System performance might dip a little while compression is active.
Wrap-up
Using Windows’ built-in NTFS file compression can be a simple way to squeeze more space out of your drives, especially if upgrades are off the table right now. Just remember that it’s not perfect — it can slow down file operations, and it’s more suited for rarely accessed stuff. But it’s there, and it can do the job if you’re patient and don’t mind a little extra CPU load. Fingers crossed this helps someone finally clear some space without resorting to all the big cleanup tools.