What is COMPACT Windows command?

The Windows compact command is a powerful tool that allows users to compress files and directories on their system, saving disk space and reducing storage usage. By using this command, you can reclaim valuable storage space on your hard drive by compressing files and directories with NTFS compression. This can be especially useful for freeing up space on your system drive or when transferring files over the network. The compact command offers various options to customize the compression process, such as specifying whether to compress subdirectories, setting the compression type, and viewing detailed compression statistics. Additionally, you can use the compact command to decompress previously compressed files and directories if needed. Overall, mastering the Windows compact command can help you better manage your storage space and optimize the performance of your system.

COMPACT Syntax:

compact [option] [parameter]

COMPACT Options:

Option	Description
/C	Compresses the specified file
/U	Uncompresses the specified file
/S	Applies the action to the current directory and all subdirectories
/A	Display files compressed or uncompressed
/I	Ignore errors and continue the operation even if errors are detected
/Q	Reports only the most essential information related to the operation
/I	Ignore errors and continue the operation even if errors are detected
/F	Forces the compression or uncompression operation even if errors are detected

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
FileName	Specifies the file to compress or uncompress
/S	Applies the action to the current directory and all subdirectories
SubDirName	Specifies the subdirectory to compress or uncompress
/I	Ignore errors and continue the operation even if errors are detected

COMPACT Command Usage Examples:

Compress a File

compact /c file.txt

Compresses the specified file “file.txt” to reduce the file size.

Decompress a File

compact /u file.txt

Decompresses the specified compressed file “file.txt” to restore the original file size.

List Compression State of Files

compact /s:C:\Folder\ /a

Lists the compression state of files in the specified folder “C:\Folder” including their sizes before and after compression.

Compact a Directory (including subdirectories)

compact /c /s:C:\Folder\

Compresses all files in the specified directory “C:\Folder” and its subdirectories to save disk space.

Display Help Information

compact /?

Displays help information about the usage and parameters of the compact command.

Tip

When using the compact command in CMD, make sure to carefully select the appropriate options to avoid unintended data loss or corruption. Always test the command in a controlled environment before running it on critical files or folders.

How do I use compact in CMD?

To use the compact command in CMD, execute the following command:

compact /c /s:C:\ExampleFolder

Can I use compact to compress specific files in CMD?

Yes, you can use the compact command to compress specific files in CMD.

compact /C C:\ExampleFolder\file.txt

How can I decompress files with compact in CMD?

To decompress files with compact in CMD, you can use the /U parameter.

compact /U C:\ExampleFolder\compressed_file.txt

Is it possible to list the compression state of files with compact?

Yes, you can list the compression state of files using the compact command with the /s parameter.

compact /s:C:\ExampleFolder

How can I show detailed information about a compressed file with compact in CMD?

You can show detailed information about a compressed file in CMD using the /I parameter.

compact /I C:\ExampleFolder\compressed_file.txt

Can I set a compression state for a folder and its subfolders with compact?

Yes, you can set a compression state for a folder and its subfolders using the /S parameter.

compact /C /S C:\ExampleFolder

How can I exclude specific files or file types from compression with compact in CMD?

To exclude specific files or file types from compression using compact in CMD, use the /EXE parameter.

compact /C /I /EXE:.txt /S C:\ExampleFolder

Applications of the COMPACT Command

• Compress files or directories to save disk space
• View compression status of files
• Decompress files or directories to their original size
• Set compression attributes for files or directories