How To Compress A Folder In Windows 10? [Tutorial]

Windows 10 has the native ability to compress files and folders. Compressing a folder reduces its size significantly. This feature can be particularly useful when you need to send a file or folder but are unable to do it because of its large size.  For example: burning large files on a CD or DVD by compressing them.

But how to compress a folder in Windows 10? In this article, we have discussed what you need to do to compress folders in Windows 10.

Also, check out this article to to learn how to fix folder access denied error in Windows 10.

Why Compress Files And Folders? And Different Types Of Compression

Compressing anything, in simple words, saves space. That’s the primary reason for compressing your files. When you compress any file, all the contents of the file that aren’t needed is removed, which leaves only the minimum information that is necessary to re-form the file to its original state.

The time taken for compressing a file or folder depends on the size of the file. After the compression is done, the file may become half its former size or even less. There are two types of compression:

1. NTFS compression
2. Zip compression

NTFS compression, in simple words, is built into the file system. It can only be used on NTFS drives and you cannot move or copy the compressed files and send it over the internet or else it won’t persist and decompress. Using the NTFS compression, you can compress files, folders, and entire drives. NTFS compression is used scarcely nowadays as the prices of hard disks have become so cheap.

Zip compression is the most used compression method nowadays. It compresses files and folders into a Zip file. You can move or copy these Zip files and even share them over the internet. Zipping also reduces the size of the file significantly.

How To Compress A Folder In Windows 10?

Now that you have somewhat understood what compression is and what it does, its time to get back to the main topic. To compress files in Windows 10 you can either use the Zip method or the NTFS method. We have given steps for both types of compression below.

Compress Using Zipping Method

This is definitely the easier method among the 2. To do it, follow the steps given below:

1. Open the File Explorer and navigate to the file you want to Zip.
2. Move the files you want to Zip to a single folder, then select all of them by pressing the Ctrl + A keys.
3. Right-click on them and move your mouse to the Send to option.
4. Select the Compressed (zipped) folder option in the new side menu.

5. Wait for the Windows to finish compressing the file.

After the process finishes, you will find the compressed zip file right there. This is how to compress files in Windows 10 using the Zip method.

Compressing Using The NTFS Method

To compress a file or folder using the NTFS method, follow the steps given below:

1. Log in to an administrator account.
2. Next, open the File Explorer again and navigate to the folder or file you want to compress.
3. Right-click on the folder or file and select the Properties option.
4. In the General tab, click on the Advanced option.

5. Check the Compress contents to save disk space box and click on OK.

6. A confirmation dialog will appear asking whether you want to compress the file or not. Accept the confirmation and the folder will start to get compressed.
7. Wait for the compression to finish.

To compress an entire drive using NTFS method, follow the steps given below:

1. Right-click on the Drive you want to compress and select the Properties option.
2. In the General tab, check the Compress this drive to save disk space option and click on OK.
3. Windows will again open a confirmation dialog. Accept it and wait for the compression to finish.

Wrapping Up

So, there you have it. Now you know how to compress a folder in Windows 10. Read the differences between the NTFS and Zip methods before using either of the methods to compress your files. If you have any questions related to this topic, then feel free to ask them in the comment section.