Compact OS Compression in Windows 10: What It Is and How to Use It

With the limited storage available on devices like tablets and smaller laptops with SSDs, efficient disk space management is essential. Windows 10 includes a feature called Compact OS, which helps reduce the space taken up by the operating system.

What is Compact OS?

Compact OS is a Windows 10 feature designed to minimize the storage space used by the operating system by compressing system files. Unlike traditional compressed folders, Compact OS leverages NTFS compression technology, which allows files to remain accessible to the operating system in real-time without archiving.

How to Enable Compact OS in Windows 10

You can activate Compact OS through the Command Prompt. It’s recommended to back up your data first, just to be safe. Here’s how to enable it:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, type “Command Prompt” in the Windows search, right-click, and select “Run as administrator.”
  2. Type the command to enable Compact OS: compact /compactos:always and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the system to complete the compression process, which may take a few minutes.

To disable Compact OS, use the command compact /compactos:never.

Benefits of Using Compact OS

  • Space Savings: Compact OS can save several gigabytes of space, which is valuable for devices with limited storage.
  • Easy Activation: Enabling and disabling this feature only requires simple commands, with no additional software needed.
  • Minimal Impact on Performance: Compact OS has minimal effect on performance, especially on devices with powerful processors.

Drawbacks of Compact OS

Compact OS, while beneficial, does have some drawbacks:

  • Increased CPU Usage: Compressing and decompressing files may add load on the CPU, which can be noticeable on lower-end devices.
  • Potential Delays: Some users may experience slight delays when opening files or applications.

Should You Use Compact OS?

Compact OS is ideal for devices with limited storage space. If you have a powerful computer with a large SSD or HDD, enabling Compact OS may be unnecessary. However, for space-limited devices, this feature can be an effective solution.