36 replies to this topic

[TechKing]

nLite can reduce the Windows installation size quite a lot. However, I'd like to let you know that you can use file compression selectively on installed files to further decrease the install size by several dozens of MB, if not another full 100MB less.
The trick is to try to compress only files that are used less often, such the folder c:\windows\system32\dllcache. Folder size was decreased from 349MB to 215MB on disk. I don't really want to completely wipe out the folder so its a safe alternative.

To use compression, right click on a file/folder and select Properties/General tab/Advanced button/Compress contents to save disk space.

[Triple-E Wannabe]

Good idea! At the cost though, I would think, of a CPU overhead for on-the-fly decompression when those files are required. I take it this is why you advise to only do it on seldom-accessed files?

Edited by Triple-E Wannabe, 31 October 2007 - 10:05 AM.

[TheBronze]

Ya, I would stay away from using compression. The idea of this machine is small and fast. Compressing files is just going to slow things down. But, then again, that is the windows experience we are all used to, isn't it!?!

[TechKing]

Quote

Good idea! At the cost though, I would think, of a CPU overhead for on-the-fly decompression when those files are required. I take it this is why you advise to only do it on seldom-accessed files?

File compression slows down file access for that compressed file in particular. The is a lag time between file access and file execution/reading because the CPU has to decompress the file before being able to access it. That is why files that are commonly used (.exe and .dll) should probably not be compressed. There are however lots of files in Windows that you may want to keep. For example, the files in c:\windows\system32\dllcache are almost never accessed, but are still quite essential in case you computer crashes while you're away from home and don't have access to your Win CD. I have therefore compressed these files.
Other exemple of files that you may want to compress are .hlp files. I never read help but once or twice a year, I need to read them so I can compress these files without everyday performance slowing.
If you compress completely Windows's folder, then you'll run into serious performance issues.

[ddlooping]

Hi all :)

Yesterday I used the Windows compression on the whole "C" drive (SSD).

Result (used space):
1,167,630,xxx bytes => 795,590,656 bytes.
1113Mb => 758Mb

So far I have not noticed any slow-down during normal use.
Actually, the boot time seems to be slightly shorter!?

If my understanding is correct, any file subsequently added to the compressed drive will automatically be compressed. That includes program files.

Could our 4Gs become 6Gs? :D

If you want to follow a similar topic in French:
http://www.blogeee.n...php?f=22&t=2477

Edited by ddlooping, 15 February 2008 - 03:23 PM.

[san.salvador]

Compression can even encrease performance (less data to read), so I use it and it works like a charm. :)

[Molly]

care to elaborate on how drive compression will affect the amount of data to be read?

[DaveS]

Quote

care to elaborate on how drive compression will affect the amount of data to be read?

I think that I can see both of your points? Of course, in the end the amount of data must be exactly the same with lossless compression( necessary in this case), but the amount of data transiting the medium interface will be less by the amount of compression. That is why it is used in some serial data link protocols. However, for any possible speedup to occur the decompression time would have to be shorter than the time for uncompressed data to cross the data link. Perhaps it would speed up a USB connected FLASH read, but I would expect that the SSD read would be fast enough to probably make the decompression phase the actual bottleneck?

--Dave

[Anarethos]

I did compress
c:\windows\system32\dllcache
c:\windows\Driver Cache
c:\windows\help
c:\windows\inf
c:\windows\java
c:\windows\Microsoft.Net
c:\windows\mui (I use the french language pack)
c:\windows\winsxs
c:\windows\system32\drvstore
c:\program files\Java
c:\program files\Microsoft Office
c:\MSOCache
ALL DLL on the SSD.

Not slow at all. Saved me more that 300 mb.

[Fluffywings]

Well assuming we don't want to compress the entire drive, it would be a good idea to make a list of the folders that are rarely accessed to be compressed. For example.

C:\windows\inf
C:\windows\ie7
C:\windows\ieupdates

[FrenchMatt]

On the French link it is mentioned - and I had forgotten about it - that the Asus Intructions Manual suggested compression indeed. As for me I will not try since I have enough space after a clean Windows installation (more than 2.3 Go) and my programmes are on a SDHC. My data on a USB key so... :)

[robbynaish]

Hi to all,

in my Italian Xp pro, i dont find such choice. WHere i do mistake?




thanks

[ddlooping]

Good question, robbynaish, it does look like I can only compress entire drives or partitions too using this method.

How did you guys manage to compress files/folders?

Edit: found it!! You have to click on "Advanced..." to have access to the compression option. :)

Edit 2: robbynaish, it looks like you are missing the "Advanced" button.
Maybe you need to be logged in as administrator?

Edited by ddlooping, 17 February 2008 - 05:56 PM.

[The Coolest]

You need WinXP with service pack2 and all the latest updates.

[ddlooping]

Thanks for the info, The Coolest. :)

[tyau]

Quote

C:\windows\ie7
C:\windows\ieupdates

You can essentially delete these two folders if you do not plan to rollback to ie6.

After you have deleted these two folders, use ccleaner to clean out the uninstaller registry related to ie7 uninstallation.

[robbynaish]

Quote

You need WinXP with service pack2 and all the latest updates.

I have Sp2..... can i update only this thing i need,or i have to update all?

thanks

alex

[rodneyh]

I compressed the whole drive including system32 folder. Some files did not compress, I suspect because they were in use at the time or windows prevented it.

I have encountered the occasional problem where dll calls have failed. I found that I needed to uncompress the following ddl's: wiashext.dll, asycfilt.dll and shgina.dll. There may be more that I have not come aross before.

Has anyone encontered any similar problem?

I have not particularly noticed any severe performance penalty.

[Windkracht13]

I have compresed the hole C: , No problems at all...

[ddlooping]

Welcome to the forums, rodneyh. :)

I have also compressed the whole C: drive and haven't encountered any problems.
No noticeable slow-downs either (2GB ram).