Compress Files in Disk Cleanup: which File Type?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ira
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I

ira

Hello:

When XP compresses old files to save space, does it compress system files as well? Program files? Or only files created by user?

Once those files are accesed again, are they automatically re-compressed? Or does that depend on running Disk Cleanup again?

TIA

-ira

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
 
One could allow for system files but the pc would run slow..As for diskclean
up,go to run,type: CLEANMGR /SAGESET Chk the files you want it to clean,
once thru,return to run,type: CLEANMGR /SAGERUN This also works in cmd.
 
Still not clear:

If I run the disk Clean Windows utility, will it compress system files as
well?

I wouldnt run it if I thought it did that.

Exactly which unused files does it compress?

-ira

Windows XP Professional Edition SP3
=================================
 
Ira

Compressed files appear in a blue font in Windows Explorer. Uncompressed
files in black. To see hidden files you may need to follow the
instructions in the next paragraph.

Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, View, Advanced Settings
and verify that the box before "Show hidden files and folders" is
checked and "Hide protected operating system files " is unchecked. You
may need to scroll down to see the second item. You should also make
certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known file types" is
not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View, Details is
selected and then select View, Choose Details and check before Name,
Type, Total Size, and Free Space.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Hi again Gerry:

thanks for the info. However, I'm still not clear whether: "Compress old files" in Disk Cleanup compresses system files, as well as program files and user created files. I'd rather not compress the system files, even those not used in a long time.

I do understand now how to compress individually if I wish to. My question pertains to the action of the Disk Cleanup utility with regard to: "Compress old files"

TIA

-Ira

==============================================
 
Ira

This is something you really do not want to worry about. The setting to
compress is linked to how long it has been since the file was last
accessed. In Disk CleanUp after displaying the potential list of savings
from running Disk CleanUp scroll down the list and place the cursor the
last item Compress old files. Click on the Options button below. You can
then see the current setting. You can increase or decrease the setting
as you wish. In Windows Explorer there is a Views setting to add a Date
Accessed column -see Choose Details.

Disk CleanUp does not distinguish between whether files are system,
programme or data files. My setting is 50 days. In the past there have
been debates in these newsgroups over what accesses files to stop them
being compressed. Speculation has centred on anti-virus programmes but I
am not sure as to a definitive answer. The exception is the uninstall
Windows Update folders, which normally are never accessed. I have never
had to uninstall an update. This exception seems to be compressed by the
system and not by Disk CleanUp.

The one annoying feature of Disk CleanUp is the time it takes to
calculate the space saving by compressing files. Unfortunately this can
only be cancelled by manually editing the registry. Editing the Registry
is something I do not recommend because the consequences of getting it
wrong can be disastrous. I do not edit the Registry on my own computers.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi again Gerry:

thanks for the info. However, I'm still not clear whether: "Compress old
files" in Disk Cleanup compresses system files, as well as program
files and user created files. I'd rather not compress the system files,
even those not used in a long time.

I do understand now how to compress individually if I wish to. My
question pertains to the action of the Disk Cleanup utility with regard
to: "Compress old files"

TIA

-Ira

==============================================
 
Hi again Gerry:

thanks for the info. However, I'm still not clear whether: "Compress old files" in Disk Cleanup compresses system files,  as well as program filesand user created files. I'd rather not compress the system files, even those not used in a long time.

I do understand now how to compress individually if I wish to. My question pertains to the action of the Disk Cleanup utility with regard to:  "Compress old files"

TIA

-Ira

==============================================
Click to expand...

Windows XP inherits a feature from the previous versions of Windows NT
based Windows (Windows NT and 2000.) The operating system can
automatically compress / decompress files that were not recently
accessed. No user intervention is required, unless you want to turn
off / on this feature.
 
Gerry wrote:

<<<
Disk CleanUp does not distinguish between whether files are system,
programme or data files. My setting is 50 days.
Thank you kindly, Gerry.

That's the info I was looking for.

My apologies of the formatting in those earlier posts of mine.

Kind regards:

-Ira

===========================
Hi again Gerry:

thanks for the info. However, I'm still not clear whether: "Compress old
files" in Disk Cleanup compresses system files, as well as program files
and user created files. I'd rather not compress the system files, even
those not used in a long time.

I do understand now how to compress individually if I wish to. My question
pertains to the action of the Disk Cleanup utility with regard to:
"Compress old files"

TIA

-Ira

==============================================
Click to expand...

Windows XP inherits a feature from the previous versions of Windows NT
based Windows (Windows NT and 2000.) The operating system can
automatically compress / decompress files that were not recently
accessed. No user intervention is required, unless you want to turn
off / on this feature.
 
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