Files compressed by XP automatically?

**dave holbon** · April 30th, 2003

Recently I’ve noticed that files that have not been accessed for some time are being compressed by XP. This seems to be all file types right across both of my hard drives.

This is not something I have implemented or even configured and I know for sure that it was not happening until after service pack one.

Any one else noticed this?

**SPeedY_B** · April 30th, 2003

Open up my computer, then right click on one of the drives, then click properties, is the "Compress drive to save space" option checked?

**dave holbon** · April 30th, 2003

No

**NetRyder** · April 30th, 2003

Yeah, Windows automatically compresses files that haven't been used for long periods of time (esp. log files and such). It shouldn't be a cause of concern, but if you want to decompress them all, and prevent Windows from compressing them in the future, fire up Command Prompt, switch to C:\ and enter this:

compact /U /S /A /I /F /Q *.*

It works

**yoyo** · April 30th, 2003

As far as I know XP only compresses files if it is told to do so, when running the disk cleanup tool.
Never checked this box "compress old files" there and never noticed any automatically compressed files.

**NetRyder** · April 30th, 2003

Originally posted by yoyo
As far as I know XP only compresses files if it is told to do so, when running the disk cleanup tool.
Never checked this box "compress old files" there and never noticed any automatically compressed files.

Strange :confused:
It automatically compressed old log files in the C:\WINDOWS folder on my desktop.

**Zedric** · April 30th, 2003

/U /S /A /I /F /Q *.*

Is it just me or do those parameters read "USA I f*ck you all"? :confused:

**Glaanieboy** · April 30th, 2003

Originally posted by Zedric
Is it just me or do those parameters read "USA I f*ck you all"? :confused:

Whahaa, lol. Maybe an easter egg from the programmers.
I shall report it to eeggs.com, if it's ok with everyone.

**Zedric** · April 30th, 2003

The switches are acctually given in that order if you type "help compact" in the console.

But go ahead.

**Glaanieboy** · April 30th, 2003

Originally posted by Zedric
The switches are acctually given in that order if you type "help compact" in the console.

But go ahead.

lol, I just submitted this egg to eeggs.com

**NetRyder** · May 1st, 2003

LOL

Good one Zedric

**dave holbon** · May 1st, 2003

Originally posted by NetRyder
Yeah, Windows automatically compresses files that haven't been used for long periods of time (esp. log files and such). It shouldn't be a cause of concern, but if you want to decompress them all, and prevent Windows from compressing them in the future, fire up Command Prompt, switch to C:\ and enter this:

compact /U /S /A /I /F /Q *.*

It works

Yes I know this command un-compresses files that are already compressed, what I’m after is stopping the compression in the first place (did not know what the command line parameters spelt out though, this is interesting, well spotted).

I don’t won’t any files compressed on my machine without me knowing about it. There are many reasons for this mostly security ones as I hide files in other files.

**Un4gIvEn1** · May 1st, 2003

I guess my question is, what is the basis of your thinking that your files are compressed? Wanna collaborate a little more?

**NetRyder** · May 1st, 2003

Originally posted by Un4gIvEn1
I guess my question is, what is the basis of your thinking that your files are compressed? Wanna collaborate a little more?

I think the filenames might be marked in blue ... that's one way of knowing they're compressed.

**dave holbon** · May 1st, 2003

Yes the files are marked in blue and the properties say the file has been compressed. This as far as I have been able to ascertain happens after about eight months of non-access.

April 30th, 2003	Top \| #1
dave holbon OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: May 2002 Location: London England Posts: 1,014 Reputation: 140 Power: 130	Files compressed by XP automatically? Recently I’ve noticed that files that have not been accessed for some time are being compressed by XP. This seems to be all file types right across both of my hard drives. This is not something I have implemented or even configured and I know for sure that it was not happening until after service pack one. Any one else noticed this?

April 30th, 2003	Top \| #2
SPeedY_B I may actually be insane. Joined: March 2002 Location: Midlands, England Posts: 15,800 Reputation: 2877 Power: 307	Open up my computer, then right click on one of the drives, then click properties, is the "Compress drive to save space" option checked? 1. SPeedYB.co.uk 2. CamPortal.co.uk 3. MacIRC.co.uk

April 30th, 2003	Top \| #4
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Yeah, Windows automatically compresses files that haven't been used for long periods of time (esp. log files and such). It shouldn't be a cause of concern, but if you want to decompress them all, and prevent Windows from compressing them in the future, fire up Command Prompt, switch to C:\ and enter this: compact /U /S /A /I /F /Q . It works http://kunal.kundaje.net

April 30th, 2003	Top \| #6
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Originally posted by yoyo As far as I know XP only compresses files if it is told to do so, when running the disk cleanup tool. Never checked this box "compress old files" there and never noticed any automatically compressed files. Strange :confused: It automatically compressed old log files in the C:\WINDOWS folder on my desktop. http://kunal.kundaje.net

April 30th, 2003	Top \| #7
Zedric NTFS Guru Joined: January 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,006 Reputation: 890 Power: 171	/U /S /A /I /F /Q . Is it just me or do those parameters read "USA I fck you all"? :confused: Did I help you?* Please use the reputation system. Click the icon on the left! Proud host of the OSNN.net folding sigs. Want one? Check the folding thread! http://zedric.no-ip.com/

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April 30th, 2003	Top \| #3
dave holbon OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: May 2002 Location: London England Posts: 1,014 Reputation: 140 Power: 130	No

April 30th, 2003	Top \| #5
yoyo _________________ Joined: July 2002 Posts: 1,557 Reputation: 160 Power: 133	As far as I know XP only compresses files if it is told to do so, when running the disk cleanup tool. Never checked this box "compress old files" there and never noticed any automatically compressed files.

April 30th, 2003	Top \| #8
Glaanieboy OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: March 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,626 Reputation: 270 Power: 150	Originally posted by Zedric *Is it just me or do those parameters read "USA I fck you all"? :confused:** Whahaa, lol. Maybe an easter egg from the programmers. I shall report it to eeggs.com, if it's ok with everyone.

April 30th, 2003	Top \| #9
Zedric NTFS Guru Joined: January 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,006 Reputation: 890 Power: 171	The switches are acctually given in that order if you type "help compact" in the console. But go ahead. Did I help you? Please use the reputation system. Click the icon on the left! Proud host of the OSNN.net folding sigs. Want one? Check the folding thread! http://zedric.no-ip.com/

April 30th, 2003	Top \| #10
Glaanieboy OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: March 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,626 Reputation: 270 Power: 150	Originally posted by Zedric The switches are acctually given in that order if you type "help compact" in the console. But go ahead. lol, I just submitted this egg to eeggs.com

May 1st, 2003	Top \| #11
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	LOL Good one Zedric http://kunal.kundaje.net

May 1st, 2003	Top \| #12
dave holbon OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: May 2002 Location: London England Posts: 1,014 Reputation: 140 Power: 130	Originally posted by NetRyder Yeah, Windows automatically compresses files that haven't been used for long periods of time (esp. log files and such). It shouldn't be a cause of concern, but if you want to decompress them all, and prevent Windows from compressing them in the future, fire up Command Prompt, switch to C:\ and enter this: compact /U /S /A /I /F /Q . It works Yes I know this command un-compresses files that are already compressed, what I’m after is stopping the compression in the first place (did not know what the command line parameters spelt out though, this is interesting, well spotted). I don’t won’t any files compressed on my machine without me knowing about it. There are many reasons for this mostly security ones as I hide files in other files.

May 1st, 2003	Top \| #13
Un4gIvEn1 OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: February 2004 Posts: 1,084 Reputation: 130 Power: 109	I guess my question is, what is the basis of your thinking that your files are compressed? Wanna collaborate a little more? Welcome to a world where the air I breathe is mine Nothing to overwhelm me and nothing to cloud my mind Be anyone, do anything I'd ever want to try Time doesn't exist here - I will never die

May 1st, 2003	Top \| #14
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 294	Originally posted by Un4gIvEn1 I guess my question is, what is the basis of your thinking that your files are compressed? Wanna collaborate a little more? I think the filenames might be marked in blue ... that's one way of knowing they're compressed. http://kunal.kundaje.net

May 1st, 2003	Top \| #15
dave holbon OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: May 2002 Location: London England Posts: 1,014 Reputation: 140 Power: 130	Yes the files are marked in blue and the properties say the file has been compressed. This as far as I have been able to ascertain happens after about eight months of non-access.

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