JSI Tip 0316 - Command line NTFS compression.

Compact is a native Windows NT command that displays or alters the compression state of files and directories. The syntax is:

compact \[/c\] \[/u\] \[/s\[:DirName\]\] \[/i\] \[/f\] \[/a\] \[/q\] filename \[...\]

If run without any parameters, it displays the compression state of the current directory.

Parameter	M e a n i n g
/c	Compresses the specified directory or file.
/u	Uncompresses the specified directory or file.
/s\[:\DirName\]	applies the action to all subdirectories of the specified directory, or of the current directory if none is specified. If :\DirName is used, the compressed attribute is not altered.
/i	Ignores errors.
/f	Forces the action on a previously failed attempt.
/a	Display files with the Hidden and/or System attribute.
/q	Displays minimal information.
filename	Specifies the file or directory. You can use multiple filenames and wildcards.

To compress the files in the current directroy and all subdirectories, type:

compact /c /s

To compress all files that end in .HTM in the \JSI directory and all subdirectories , but not modify the compressed attribute of these directories, type:

compact /c /s:\JSI *.HTM

To force complete compression of the file JSI.GIF, which was partially compressed at the time of a disk crash, type:

compact /c /f JSI.gif