What Happens When You Compress A File

Summary :

1. What Does Compressed Files Mean
2. What Does Compressing Files Do
3. What Is File Compression
4. Best Way To Compress Files
5. What Happens When You Compress A File

Cruizerbecause when you modify even just one byte of a file that is compressed, you can end up changing a significant portion of the file, not just that byte. It's good if you can fit the change in. Essentially, a compressed file is a sort of archive that contains one or more files that have been reduced in size. Since these file are smaller, they can be stored without taking up much space, or transferred at higher speeds over the Internet.

What does compressing a file do? Just for freeing up disk space when your disk space is low? Any other functions of file compression? Any negative result brought by it? In this post, MiniTool will explore more functions of compressing a file.

Speaking of compressing a file, most of us are no strangers to that. Common compressed file formats are .zip, .rar, .7z, .tar, etc.

File compression can be date back to about half a century ago. In the 1970s, computer scientists strived to find ways to reduce the file size and they succeeded—searching through computer code by using mathematical algorithms.

With the development of the Internet, the need for creating better compression schemes and reducing the size of files as much as possible keeps climbing.

In today's post, I would like to talk about 'what does a compressing a file do'. What can you benefit from compressing a file? But before showing the advantages of file compression, let's try to understand 'how does file compression work' first. This could help you understand why you enjoy the following benefits after file compression.

How Does File Compression Work?

What is file compression? File compression is the act of reducing the size of a file while preserving the original data. When you execute file expression, the compressed files often take up 50% to 90% less disk space than the original files. So, compressing a file will retrieve the space on a storage drive.

Why does a file become smaller after compression? Do you know the working principle of file compression? File compression utilizes compression algorithm that is a mathematical formula used in compression and decompression of an electronic data file. There are two types of compression algorithm:

Lossless: By this type of file compression, a decompressed file has the same size as the original file. Stated another way, there is no detail or content lost in the compression-decompression process and you can perfectly reconstruct the original file. But how does this type of file compression reduce file size?

Simply put, lossless compression stores the same information in a more efficient way by removing redundancy. For example, uuuuummmmoooooo can be shortened as u5m4o6.

The common lossless format includes PNG for images, FLAC for audio, and ZIP. There are rare lossless formats for video since they would take up massive amounts of space.

Lossy: By this type of file compression, a decompressed file is smaller in size than the original file. That's because lossy compression reduces file size by removing unnecessary bits of information. This compression type is most common in the image, video, and audio formats, where a perfect representation of the source media is not necessary. MP3 and JPEG are two popular formats for these types of media using lossy compression.

Further reading:

Should I use lossless or lossy compression? This depends on what you are using the files for. In general, if you desire a perfect copy of the source material, you should use lossless compression; while it is wise to use lossless compression when a copy of the source material is good enough even if it is imperfect.

Can I convert lossless formats to lossy or lossy format to lossless? It is fine to convert lossless formats to lossy, whereas converting lossy formats to lossless is simply a waste of time. Free casino bonus no deposit needed. Why? When you compress using the lossy compression, unnecessary information is taken out. Therefore, when you try to convert that file to lossless format, none of that removed data will be redeemed.

What Does Compressing a File Do – Positive

The advantages of file compression:

• Free up disk space;
• Improve transmission speed;
• Optimize backup storage;
• Improve file integrity;
• Send files via email more easily;
• Secure files;
• Save money.

Free up Disk Space

When it comes to compressing files, the first benefit coming across our mind is freeing up disk space. In fact, when you really need free disk space, you can try file compression. However, you should know that you will spend more time opening and closing a compressed file because there is a decompression-and-compression process.

To avoid time waste, you can check what files are taking up too much disk space; think about 'how often you use them'; you can compress them if they are rarely to use.

How to analyze your disk usage with ease? Here it is highly recommended that you try MiniTool Partition Wizard. This software is a good space analyzer and can also help you resize a drive whose space is dying out.

Play the pixies. Step 1: Download MiniTool Partition Wizard by clicking the above button. Install it and then launch it to get its main interface.

Step 2: On the main interface, activate Space Analyzer on the toolbar and then choose the drive that is in red in File Explorer from the drop-down menu and then click the Scan button.

Step 3: Wait for a phrase of time and then you will see which files take up much disk space.

Once you find out the files which take up much disk space, you can compress them by using the file compression utilities or NTFS compression. Once you free up drive space with file compression, your database performance will be improved. Compressing files can close memory gaps and reduce the time needed to locate data on a drive.

Improve Transmission Speed

Compressing a file can also make it easier to transfer over the internet. As we know, the amount of time it takes to send something over the Internet depends on the size of the transmitted file. Compressed files contain fewer bits of data than uncompressed files. Therefore, it would take one-tenth time to transmit a compressed text file as it would take to transmit that same uncompressed file.

That's why compressing larger files before sending them over the Internet can help you save considerable time. Plus, compressing files can also reduce the financial cost of running a network due to that you do not need to buy more equipment and bandwidth to transmit the data.

Optimize Backup Storage

A good compression strategy can support an effective backup plan. Take Zip backup for example. Zip backup is a method of reducing storage size used for data copies. In other words, you can optimize backup storage by compressing some backups to Zip files.

Improve File Integrity

Have you ever encountered that your uncompressed files became corrupt when sent over the web? This might happen. To avoid file corruption, you can compress a file you want to send to others over the web first, since zipped files can preserve the integrity of your files and make sure your data goes uncorrupted.

Send Email over the Internet More Easily

The most common email systems have a limitation for how large a file you can send through them. However, compression offers a way to send multiple files collectively, instead of one by one, as you can zip many files into an archive. So, the fifth advantage of file compressing is that you can more easily upload compressed files to a webpage or sending them via email.

Secure Files

Compressing files can ensure that the stored files are secure as file compression can hide information. Not all computers can read the information that is stored compressed files and list them in a file index. This can be quite useful if an Internet server contains information that is should not be accessed by the public, especially if the file compression method is not reversible by commonly used computer software.

The purpose of this article is to give you 5 tips on protecting your data privacy and the data saved on your hard drive effectively.

Save Money

Compressing files can help you save money. The costs of storing your data are reduced by compressing files for storage. You will not need to purchase the extra hard drive if you compress files to 50% of their uncompressed size. But keep in your mind that you can try file compression if you really need free disk space.

You can also save your Internet download charge if you download compressed files. Many contracts with Internet Service Provider (ISP) include charges for the amount of data that you download. Therefore, if you download compressed files, the data in those files reduce and the charge also reduces.

Let's see the last benefit of compressing files. There is a close relationship between digital television and file compression technology. The former owns its adoption to the latter. Do you know why digital television signal takes up much less bandwidth than an analog signal (adopted by the earlier analog television)? The reason is that digital files are compressed before they are transmitted.

What Does Compressing a File Do – Negative

Absolutely, there is no perfect thing in the world. Compressing a file can also bring about the following troubles.

Low Computer Memory.

When you decompress a file for reading, your computer uses more memory to complete the task. This may cause your computer to pause. What's worse, you may run into some errors (Low Resources or Out of Memory) if your computer does not have enough memory.

To avoid these errors, you should close the applications running in the background and then open the compressed files.

Time Wasting When Decompressing Files

The decompressing process time varies due to file size and the method used to compress the file. When you want to access a compressed file quickly, there might be a disadvantage.

Larger File Size After Compression

In some situations, the file (including compressing video and audio files) become larger in size than the original file. Here take Zip for example. Zip has a method for that which will just store the file if it can't be compressed, which means that the file will be bit longer due to the headers and checksums.

Viruses and Malware Hiding in Compressed Files

If your compressed files contain viruses and other malware, your computer might in danger as your computer's anti-virus may fail to scam such files for viruses and other malware.

If you receive compressed files from unknown sources, you should do a complete scan with an antivirus program that is able to scan the files and then decompress them.

Is antivirus necessary for Windows 10/8/7 to keep your PC safe? Read this post to get the answer, and you can also know some ways to prevent malware.

Bottom Line

What does compressing a file do? We can enjoy 8 benefits from file compression but also will face 4 problems brought by file compression. If you still have some questions about file compression, please leave them below to let us know. If you run into some issues when analyzing disk space or extending partition, please contact us via [email protected].

What Does Compressing a File Do FAQ

• Save disk space;
• Improve transmission speed;
• Optimize backup storage;
• Improve file integrity;
• Send files via email over the Internet more easily;
• Secure files;
• Save money.

Summary :

Is it safe to use the Disk Cleanup Compress your OS drive option to get free space when the C drive space is running out? In this post, MiniTool answers the question, shows the information about Compact OS, and offers other ways to help you get more free disk space.

Compress Your OS Drive Windows 10

According to users' reports on Google, they saw the Compress your OS drive option listed under the Files to delete section when conducting Disk Cleanup.

When your C drive is running out, you may launch Disk Cleanup and then you may find 'Compress your OS drive' in the list.

As you can see in the above image, it seems that checking this option can free up about 10GB disk space and then you can get rid of running out disk space. However, the truth proves that it is not worth compressing your OS drive to free up space.

We have gathered 4 common questions related to Compress your OS drive Windows 10 from Google. After learning about the 4 questions, you may know whether it is worthwhile to check Disk Cleanup Compress your OS drive.

4 Questions Related to Compress Your OS Drive

Q 1: What is Compress your OS drive?

'Compress your OS drive' is not a file but an option you can check to free up your C drive. But this option shows up in the February 2019 Windows Updates, without appearing in the previous versions.

Q 2: What does Compress your OS drive do?

'Compress your OS drive' uses the newly introduced compression algorithms XPRESS and LZX in Windows 10's NTFS.

After checking this option under Disk Cleanup, the files in C drive will be compressed (you will find blue arrows against every folder you have) and then you can get some free space.

Q 3: Is it safe to use Compress your OS drive?

It is safe to use 'Compress your OS drive' to free up disk space. This option will not delete any files on your hard drive, so you do not worry about data loss.

Q 4: Should you compress your OS drive? Can I delete Compress your OS drive?

The reason why we list these two questions together is that they are the same. Let's see the answer to these two questions.

If you have a computer with a faster CPU, you can probably check this option as your CPU can keep up with the decompression and compression.

But the truth is that even if you use quite fast CPU on your computer, the CPU may be busy when it comes to read and write files.

The reasons are that the files in C drive are compressed and it needs time to decompress these files when your Windows OS calls them. After using them, it also takes time to compress these files again. This is time-and-power-consuming and may slow down your computer (check other reasons for a slow computer).

Therefore, it is highly recommended you should not free up disk space by using Disk Cleanup Compress your OS drive due to the influence on computer performance.

If you have used this option to free up space, there is a way to decompress your OS drive.

Here is the tutorial on restoring your OS drive to its previous state:

• Open File Explorer, find C drive, and right-click it.
• Select the Properties option in the right-click menu.
• Navigate to the General tab, and then uncheck the Compress this drive to save disk space box. Click the Apply and OK button to confirm and execute the changes. You need to wait for about 10 or more minutes (the time depends on how many files and folders you have) and it will be completed.

Transfer files from samsung phone to pc. You may have noticed Compact OS on website. Is it different from Disk Cleanup Compress your OS drive?

Is 'Compact OS' the Same as 'Compress Your OS Drive'?

Compact OS is also a new feature on Windows 10. Using this feature, you can reduce the size of the operating system and you can also run it from compressed files, similar to WIMBoot.

Further reading: Classic slots online free.

WIMBoot (Windows Image Boot) is a feature in Windows 8.1. This feature is designed for Windows users to save space on devices with power memory. This tool just decompresses the files as and when needed and then again compress them back to the INSTALL.WIM.

The Compact OS feature is both supported by the UEFI- and BIOS-based devices (UEFI vs BIOS). Furthermore, it can significantly lower the OS footprint and this makes it easy to install and have some space left over for other software in low disk space devices.

But is 'Compact OS the same' as 'Compress your OS drive'? Will the computer performance become poorer after using the former?

For these two questions, there is no doubt that Compact OS will also impact performance when the computer reads and writes to its system files or Windows apps. But according to a user's feedback, Compact OS does not hit the performance much as he benchmarked his Dell XPS 13, Broadwell edition before and after enabling this feature. Therefore, it could be said that these two features are not the same.

Considering that you may be in the dilemma that your C drive is running out, we offer you some ways of freeing up C drive in the following content. You can try any of them.

Free Up C Drive Space by Compressing This Drive

According to the above content, you have known that the Compact OS feature can help you save disk space with negligible influence on computer influence. You may have an interest in using it. But please note that this feature will cause disk fragmentation. So, it is not recommended you to use this feature if you are using an HDD.

To use Compact OS to free up disk space, you should follow the instructions below:

• Type cmd in Cortana's search bar and then select Command Prompt. Right-click it and then choose Run as administrator.
• On the cmd window, type compact/compact OS:always and then hit Enter to execute this command.
• This process will require about 5 minutes. Do not shut down your computer unless the process comes to an end.

If you don't use this feature anymore, you can type compact /compactOS:never to switch it off.

Free up C Drive Space by Removing Files

The second way you can get free space to C drive is removing files. Apart from deleting the temporary files, you can also try deleting the large and unnecessary files or moving files to another location.

Delete Temporary Files via Disk Cleanup:

• Click This PC on your desktop and then select the Properties option after tight-clicking C drive.
• Click the Disk Cleanup button and then check the files you won't need in the new window.

Remove Large Files from C Drive:

To find large files saved on your C drive with ease, you can refer to the methods mentioned in the following recommended article. Furthermore, it also shows you what large files you can delete without any potential damage.

How to Find Large Files Taking up Hard Drive Space on Windows 10

You may find the hibernate file taking up a large space on your C drive if you have enabled the Hibernate mode. This file is created by OS when computer goes into the Hibernate mode. You can directly delete the hibernation file if you don't need the Hibernate mode anymore, or reduce the size of the hibernation file to remain this mode on your computer.

Move Files to Another Location:

If there are lots of pictures, audios, and videos on C drive, you can move them to another location to free up space. Minecraft vr edition apk.

• Open File Explorer, select C drive, and then select the files you want to move.
• Go to the Home tab on the ribbon. Select Move to and then Choose location.
• Select the target location from the list and then select Move.

Free up C Drive Space by Enlarging This Drive

Apart from removing files from C drive, you can also try enlarging the space of C drive. After enlarging C drive, your C drive has enough free space and your computer can run faster than before.

To enlarge C drive safely and easily, you can utilize the free and reliable program – MiniTool Partition Wizard. This program offers two features, that are Extend Partition and Move/Resize Partition, to help you modify the partition size with ease.

Now, let's see how to modify the size of C drive by using these two features respectively.

Activate Move/Resize Partition to Enlarge C Drive:

Step 1: Download MiniTool Partition Wizard by clicking the download button in the above content. When the downloading process comes to an end, install it and then launch it to get its main interface.

Step 2: Highlight C drive in the Disk Map and then choose the Move/Resize Partition feature, or right-click C drive to call out the Move/Resize feature.

Step 3: On the Move/Resize Partition window, please view there is any unallocated space.

If your case is similar to what the following image shows, you can drag the handle bar rightward and click the OK button to extend C drive.

If not, you need to create an unallocated space by using the Move/Resize feature. To do that, you need to go back to the main interface, click the partition next to C drive, activate the Move/resize Partition feature, and shrink the selected partition by dragging the handle bar rightward. After that, you get an allocated space that is next to C drive. Now, you can extend your C drive.

Step 4: On the main interface of MiniToool Partition Wizard, please click the Apply button to execute all changes.

Now, the tutorial on using the Move/Resize Partition feature to enlarge C drive comes to an end. Let's see how to use the Extend Partition feature to enlarge C drive.

Activate Extend Partition to Enlarge C Drive:

It is far easier to use the Extend Partition feature to enlarge C drive than to use the Move/Resize Partition feature because the former uses the unused space on the disk to enlarge the selected partition. In other words, there is free space on the system disk, and you can use the Extend Partition feature to extend C drive.

Let' see how to use the feature to extend C drive.

Step 1: Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard to get its main interface. Highlight C drive in the Disk Map and then click the Extend Partition feature, or right-click the partition to call out the Extend feature.

Step 2: Select one partition or the unallocated space on the system disk to take free space from it and then move the bar to the left or right side to decide how much free space you want to add in your C drive. After that, click the OK button.

Step 3: On the main interface of MiniTool Partition Wizard, hit the Apply button to execute all changes.

All the steps on extending C drive via the Extend Partition feature have been displayed.

You may find that the above two features are helpful to enlarge C drive under the condition that there is free space on your system disk. If the whole disk space is running out, the two features seem to be useless.

If you are facing that your hard disk space is running out even if you have removed files, you can pay some money for a larger HDD or SSD and upgrade to it instead of compressing your files. This way can really better your experience.

To upgrade to a larger HDD or SSD without reinstalling your Windows 10, you can also utilize MiniTool Partition Wizard. The Migrate OS to SSD/HD Wizard feature built-in this program can help you do that with ease.

You can find the detailed tutorial on migrating Windows operating system to a large hard disk in the article below.

This article tells how to easily migrate Windows 10 to SSD/new hard drive or clone Windows 10 to SSD without reinstalling the operating system.

What Does Compressed Files Mean

Bottom Line

This post comes to an end. Hope the four questions mentioned above can help you learn more about 'Disk Cleanup Compress your OS drive'. To free up C drive, you can try the mentioned ways in this post.

If you still have some questions related to 'Compress your OS drive', you can leave them in the comment zone and we will answer them ASAP. Furthermore, if you have any problems with enlarging C drive by using the mentioned ways, you can contact us via [email protected].

Compress Your OS Drive FAQ

What Does Compressing Files Do

What Is File Compression

To stop your Windows from compressing files, you need to take advantage of Command Prompt.

Best Way To Compress Files

1. Type Command Prompt on the Cortana's search bar and then select the best-matched result and right-click to select Run as administrator.
2. On the Command Prompt window, type fsutil behavior set disablecompression 1 and hit Enter to run this command.
3. Restart your computer when you receive the prompt ‘Note: Changes to this setting require a reboot to take effect'.

What Happens When You Compress A File