What will happen if i compress a drive to disk space?

[JaredzzC]

Hi,

I'm struggling to make space on my Hard Drive at the moment.

Capacity: 1TB
Available: 21GB
----------------

Use to have 50MB available but then I did disk clean-up. Still trying to make more space though and I see an option saying "Compress this drive to disk space" What does that do and would you advise it?

If not, what other ways are there to make more space on Hard Drives?

-Done Disk Clean-Up
-Deleted files that I don't want
-Internet files, temp files and recycling bin emptied.

I don't want to format my Hard Drive for any of you clever people trying to twist things, lol.

Regards,
Jared.

 

[cobot]

It will compress all your files and will free up space.

However, this will recuire your computer to constantly uncompress any files before opening them, which will greatly reduce performace and is only really recommended for backups/data that is not used often.

You'll need to either keep deleting stuff you don't want or buy a new drive, I'm afraid.

 

[Hawkeye22]

In disk cleanup, under the "more options" tab, did you delete all but the last system restore point? That should help a bit. Of course if needed, you won't be able to do a system restore beyond a day ago if you do this until more restore points are created.

 

[alyoshka]

OMG.... 1TB as your OS drive?
Didn't you partition it into smaller parts?
Most advisable would be to have a smaller HDD for your OS and basic programs and the rest of the installations and data can go onto the bigger drive.
They say never put all your eggs in newegg... one basket.
Have you thought about the amount of work you might have to do if the terra failed???

 

[JaredzzC]

OMG.... 1TB as your OS drive?
Didn't you partition it into smaller parts?
Most advisable would be to have a smaller HDD for your OS and basic programs and the rest of the installations and data can go onto the bigger drive.
They say never put all your eggs in newegg... one basket.
Have you thought about the amount of work you might have to do if the terra failed???

Yes, I have. And it has failed before - 3times. 😛 So I ended up having to get it replaced last year xD!

 

[Traciatim]

It will compress all your files and will free up space.

However, this will recuire your computer to constantly uncompress any files before opening them, which will greatly reduce performace and is only really recommended for backups/data that is not used often.

You'll need to either keep deleting stuff you don't want or buy a new drive, I'm afraid.

I agree with simply buying more space. However, compression doesn't necessarily always reduce performance. For instance in times when your drive is seeking different files on your drive (like loading an application) if the seeks are half the distance, and the data takes half as long to pull off the drive, and your processor is otherwise not doing much so it has plenty of time to sit around uncompromising data you can actually increase performance with drive compression.

In fact, one of the steps of the Ultimate Defrag high performance step-by-step guide is to compress certain directories and all EXE and DLL files around your whole drive since drives are so slow compared to how fast CPUs these days can process compressed data.

http://www.disktrix.com/Can_Your_Defrag_Software_Do_This_2.htm

 

[cobot]

I agree with simply buying more space. However, compression doesn't necessarily always reduce performance. For instance in times when your drive is seeking different files on your drive (like loading an application) if the seeks are half the distance, and the data takes half as long to pull off the drive, and your processor is otherwise not doing much so it has plenty of time to sit around uncompromising data you can actually increase performance with drive compression.

In fact, one of the steps of the Ultimate Defrag high performance step-by-step guide is to compress certain directories and all EXE and DLL files around your whole drive since drives are so slow compared to how fast CPUs these days can process compressed data.

http://www.disktrix.com/Can_Your_Defrag_Software_Do_This_2.htm

Very interesting read, however, the OP was talking about using windows built in drive compression, which is not a very good idea for a boot drive.

 

[rgd1101]

If you have lot of memory, lower the virtual memory. If you don't use hibernate, disable and delete the file.

 

[duxducis]

selectively compress some folders on the drive to get some free space

here example of compressed Program Files folder

Pro- saving 20GB. Con- 5second delay when starting games