How to enable NTFS folder compression on Windows Server Core?

Question

I want to enable NTFS compression on a specific folder, in my case: C:\inetpub\logs.

This is easily done in Windows Server with Desktop Experience, but in Server Core how this can be achieved?

To be precise I just want the equivalent of checking the box "Compress contents to save disk space".

As an alternative, you could write a utility to zip up all the logs for a month and perhaps migrate them to yearly folders, and run it as a scheduled task. — Andrew Morton, Aug 02 '19 at 16:35

mebius99 · Accepted Answer · 2021-02-18T15:10:22.043

7

There is the compact utility that can change compression attribute from the command line. For example to set compression for the c:\docs directory and all files in it:

> compact /c /s:c:\docs *

A good description of the compact command is here: Compressing a File or Folder

You should be aware of the limitations of NTFS compression before deciding to use it. Please see Understanding NTFS Compression.

edited Feb 18 '21 at 15:10

answered Aug 02 '19 at 07:14

mebius99

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Thanks! With this command, new created files will be automatically compressed too? – Vinícius Ferrão Aug 02 '19 at 15:31
Yes, the new files created in the directory and its subdirectories later on will be compressed also – mebius99 Aug 05 '19 at 07:10

How to enable NTFS folder compression on Windows Server Core?

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