XP Compress Old Files

[Frank]

In the Disk Cleanup program it calculates space used by compressed
files. What type of files are these? Data or System? Can we view
which files are compressed?

Afraid to Delete...

 

[Ted Zieglar]

I would advise you not to use the 'compress old files' option. This will
slow you down in two ways: Many users have reported that it takes the
Disc Cleanup Wizard hours to finish when 'compress old files' is
selected, and when you need those files it may take a few seconds to
uncompress them. If you're still short of space after using the Disc
Cleanup wizard, adjust the size of your Recycle Bin, Temporary Internet
Files and restore points, or get a new hard disc.

 

[Frank]

Thanks Ted
Although I'm not short on disk space, I was wondering what type of files
it compresses. I see the option to compress a file after x number of
days. But I'm not sure if it includes .dll files or applications (.exe)
or what it would compress. Thus I'm not sure what it would delete if I
selected it in Disk Cleanup. I would like to see what files are
compressed that makes up that large number in the statistic.
Thanks
Frank

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Windows compresses all files that you have not used recently. An Options
button permits you to specify the number of days to wait before Disk
Cleanup compresses an unused file.

 

[Frank]

It would even compress Windows System files that have not been used in x
number of days?

Frank

 

[POP]

In the Disk Cleanup program it calculates space used by
compressed files. What type of files are these? Data or
System? Can we view which files are compressed?

Afraid to Delete...

NO. Do not delete the compressed files! There is no way for
"normal" people to know whether a compressed file might be called
for in the future due to anything from an update to a new program
you installed.
Not only that, but certain files have to simply exist in order
for some services to run correctly. Though the file will never
be used, there might be checks to see that it exists during some
processes and installs. I wouldn't remove them or relocate them
in any way.

They are any files which haven't been accessed in several days,
whatever length of time the setting is for. You'll notice that
Defrag has a similar step it goes through when you run it; same
thing.

I don't recall for sure, but I think there is a View Files button
on the Cleanup dialog, isn't there? I've never looked at it, but
you might be able to tell which files it is from there.

Compressed files, unless you turned the feature off, will be
shown in blue color in Windows Explorer windows.

The compression is really not noticeable. Such files, if used,
are uncompressed "on the fly" and you seldom can tell it
happened.

HTH
Pop