Files Compression Problem

I recently performed a WIN XP files 'COMPRESSION' & now have a problem..... when I try to open a folder (Cryptainer) I get error msg: '... volume compressed on an NTFS partition.Remove attribute on advanced properties in EXPLORER'... Attribute doesn't appear checked in 'Advanced props'... any suggestions? tx

 

Right click My Computer, Properties.
Right click the compressed drive letter, Properties.

Uncheck compression selection at the bottom.

 

Tx for the quick response... I used the WIN XP/ MY COMPUTER/ Disk Cleanup tool & clicked OK .... it returned w/list of disk space saving alternatives, & I selected 'compress older files'. The 'COMPRESS DRIVE' option is unchecked.... not sure if this is the only file I can't access, as the compress action saved ~1/2 the total mem used.... tx

 

XP supports two types of compression: NTFS compression (which is what you enabled in Disk Cleanup), and ZIP compression.

For NTFS compression:

• You can use NTFS compression to compress individual files and folders, as well as an entire NTFS volume.
• You can compress a folder without compressing its contents.
• You can work with NTFS-compressed files without decompressing them, because they are decompressed and recompressed without user intervention.
• You can display NTFS-compressed file and folder names in a different color to make them easier to identify.
• You may notice a decrease in performance when you work with NTFS-compressed files. When you open a compressed file, Windows automatically decompresses it for you, and when you close the file, Windows compresses it again. This process may decrease your computer performance.
• NTFS-compressed files and folders only remain compressed while they are stored on an NTFS Volume.
• You cannot encrypt an NTFS-compressed file.

Displaying Compressed Files in Color

You can change the display of files and folders that are compressed in Windows Explorer and My Computer, so it is easy to see them. To display compressed files in color: 1. Double-click Folder Options in Control Panel.
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3. Click Appearance and Themes, and then click Folder Options.
4. On the View tab, click to select the Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color check box.

While NTFS file system compression can save disk space, compressing data can adversely affect performance. NTFS compression has the following performance characteristics. When you copy or move a compressed NTFS file to a different folder, NTFS decompresses the file, copies or moves the file to the new location, and then recompresses the file. This behavior occurs even when the file is copied or moved between folders on the same computer. Compressed files are also expanded before copying over the network, so NTFS compression does not save network bandwidth.

Turn off NTFS Compression on Folders and Files

• Enable the color change (above) to make them easier to spot.
• Right-click the file or folder in Windows Explorer, choose Properties, and click the Advanced button. Select Compress Contents To Save Disk Space. Uncheck the box.
• To perform a global operation on Drive C for example:
  Start, Run CMD /K compact /S /U C:\*.*

 

Bill... tx for the quick response... not sure I did this right... your instructions appear out of order, however saw you were headed for VIEW FOLDER OPTIONS... went there, but found 'SHOW ENCRYPTED OR COMPRESSED..... IN COLOR' already selected/checked... QUES: is the main encrypted folder supposed to be in a particular color? what about the sub-folder icons? None of the above have any unique color.... I'm considering deleting/re-installing CRYPTAINER (might have somehow corrupted file)... any thoughts? tx

 

By design, WinXP compresses files that do not get used frequently,
and, if you've left the default settings intact, displays those files
in blue. (The color could be changed in the registry).

I am not sure how my instructions were out of order. I offered two things:

. How to identify compressed files in Explorer;
. How to decompress (NTFS compression only) Folders and Files on an entire Volume

I am not sure what CRYPTAINER is. It is not a standard XP folder. It is not an artifact of running Disk Cleanup. It might be this: http://www.cypherix.co.uk/index.htm

Which is encryption, not compression. In XP, NTFS compressed folders and files cannot be encrypted.

Disk Cleanup has no feature to encrypt a folder or file either, although XP can encrypt files. If XP encrypts a folder it too would appear in Blue.

Someone has been playing with your computer.