Removing 'compressoldfiles' key

Not sure if this is the proper forum for this thread but please move it to a more appropriate spot if desired.

I've discovered that my 'compress old files' is creating problems in two applications. Using WinXP, SP1 and attempting a Disk Cleanup only works when I delete (temporarily) the compressoldfiles key in the registry. And, my NAV 2002 will not complete a virus scan unless I specifically exclude scanning within compressed files. (What seems strange is that when I look at the properties of my hard drive, the option to compress files in unticked, and as far as I know, has never been ticked).

I don't know if these are one and the same but I'd like to know if I can safely delete the compressoldfiles registry key (and if in so doing, I concurrently fix the NAV issue)? My concern isn't with ultimately maxing my HD, as much as with the long term safety implications (without having any idea what they might be).

Hope I'm making sense with this question...if not, just say so.

 

 
I don't see any reason why you can't remove it permanently. My files are uncompressed because this is an older computer and the decompressing and recompressing every time a compressed file is accessed is just another performance hit I don't need. With 100 gigs of drive space, I really don't care about the compression.

Nevertheless, I have the option to show compressed files and folders in color, and I still find them occasionally, even though compression has been turned off since shortly after I installed. I don't understand why. But by going to Properties, Attributes, Advanced, I can easily uncompress these files and folders.

As with all changes to the registry, export the key before deleting it and you will be able to return it if you ever want to (such as when MS has a fix for the Clean Disk problem).

It really should have no effect on the operation of your machine to remove this key, and it sounds as though NAV would be happier. Not being able to scan compressed files is a dangerous and potentially lethal shortcoming. Maybe you should look for a better AV, too.