How to Use File Compression Feature in Windows 11

Compression is a technique for shrinking the size of files and folders on the Windows operating system. This might be a huge help for the users who have a lot of large files on their PC.

Previously, compressing a file or folder required the use of third-party software on the system, but with the introduction of Windows 11, Microsoft has added a new feature called New Technology File System (NTFS) compression.

If you’re interested in learning how to utilise this feature, we’ve included instructions below on how to compress files, folders, or even a drive on your Windows system using the NTFS compression feature.

Compress a File using the NTFS compression feature in Windows 11

 

Step 1: Go to the folder where the file that has to be compressed is located.

Step 2: As demonstrated in the picture below, right-click on the file and click Properties from the context menu.

 



Right Click On File 11zon

 

Step 3: Make sure you’re on the general tab in the Properties window.

Step 4: Then, beside the Attributes option, click Advanced at the bottom of the window as shown below.

 

Select Advanced File 11zon

 

Step 5: Check the Compress contents to save disk space checkbox after the Advanced Attributes window appears on the screen as shown below.

NOTE: To revert the changes, you just need to uncheck the Compress contents to save disk space checkbox and click OK.

Step 6: Click OK to save and close the Advanced Attributes window.

 

File Advanced Attributes 11zon

 

Step 7: At last, Click Apply and OK to reflect the changes done. This closes the file properties window.

 

File Properties Apply Ok 11zon

 

Compress a Folder using the NTFS compression feature in Windows 11

 

Step 1: Right-click on the folder which needs to be compressed.

Step 2: Select Properties from the context menu as shown in the below screenshot.

 

Folder Right Click Properties 11zon

 

Step 3: In the folder’s properties window, click the General tab and tap on Advanced which is at the bottom.

 

Folder Advanced Attributes 11zon

 

Step 4: This opens up the Advanced Attributes window.

Step 5: Check the Compress contents to save disk space checkbox and click OK to close the window.

 

Folder Checkbox Ok 11zon

 

Step 6: Then click Apply on the Folder’s Properties window.

 

Folder Properties Apply 11zon

 

Step 7: This will prompt a small window that will ask you to select an option from the list that is displayed.

Step 8: Select Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files radio button and tap on OK.

 

Confirm Attributes Folder 11zon

 

Step 9: Click OK again on the folder’s properties window.

 

Folder Properties Ok 11zon

 

NOTE: You can stop compressing the files/folders by unchecking the Compress contents to save disk space checkbox and click OK.

Compress a Drive using the NTFS compression feature in Windows 11

 

Step 1: To compress a drive, right-click on the drive (Eg:- C:\, D:\, etc) that you want to compress.

Step 2: Tap on Properties from the menu as shown below.

 

Drive Properties 11zon

 



Step 3: By default, it opens up in the General tab but please make sure of it.

Step 4: There is a checkbox below Capacity details called Compress this drive to save disk space. Please click on it to check it.

Step 5: Once done, click Apply.

 

Drive General Tab Compress Checkbox 11zon

 

Step 6: Then click Apply changes to drive D:\, subfolders and files option and tap on OK.

 

Confirm Attribute Drive 11zon

 

Step 7: At last, close the Drive’s properties window by clicking OK.

 

Drive Properties Ok 11zon

 

NOTE: Same way you can revert the changes by unchecking them in Step 4.