Windows 10: Folder compression on external drives

Got an unexpected result when I tried to compress the backup of my Music folder on firstly a Sandisk 256Gb Flash Stick, and then a Samsung 256Gb T1 external SSD (the data is backed up twice).

In both cases when I went to properties to check the compress folder box of the folder in question (130Gb size) the box was unable to be checked.

Is that normal?

"So", says I, I'll try it using Command Prompt (on the Sandisk). It executed ok but no compression was done.

"So", says I, I'll try compressing the smaller MP3 version of it that resides on C drive which is also SSD (just an experiment to see what happened). This time I was able to check the Compress box, but once more it made nada difference.

The makes me wonder if I can even Zip the folder? I haven't tried that because my trial of Winzip has expired and I don't fancy paying $40 for it just to zip a couple of folders - I can buy another 256Gb Sandisk for not much more than that. Is there another option for zipping? Like, less dough - MUCH less dough.

:)

 

Which folders under C:\ are safe to compress?

I do not recommend compressing some files vs. the drive, nor do I really endorse compression at all.

Larger drives are fairly cheap now, as are external drives for backup and files storage. I WOULD recommend backing your data and program files up to an external source and finding a larger drive or adding a second.

Try and keep your Program Files and data OFF C: if you must.

PS 3 GB??? You have likely compressed several other related files under Users as well.

If you have to compress, compress it all but I still would not compress with a 5 meter pole.

 

how do I compact a file and then back up

"Compact" means compress?

A web search for how to compress a file in windows 10 provides many results. Below is an example. Note: The colloquial term for compressing a file is zipping a file.

Zip and unzip files - Microsoft

The easiest way to backup a single file is to copy it to an external USB hard drive or a USB flash drive.

 

This actually raises another question that has been on my mind. Using the auto backup function from Win 10 - it always wants the backup disk/drive plugged in. But surely the whole point of doing backups is to have a copy that is not connected to the computer for the vast majority of the time. I mean, there's not much point in doing a backup if, when the main file gets corrupted or infected, and the backup gets the same problem.......

Any thoughts on that?

 

Yes, several thoughts.
I've been using 7-zip free version for some time now, no problems at all.
This is just me talking - I never have used compression on any folders/files since Windows 3.1 - Windows 7 any time, any where, any how -- with only one exception: 3rd party backup/restore utility compresses its full images. [**]
Compression may very well save you byte-space, however, it is one more overhead that can go wrong, it rarely does, however, it only has to fail for you once - then all the safety stats "for all the others out there" go out the window.
Using Windows built-in backup/restore utilities? Never have, never will; with utilities such Macrium Reflect, Acronis True Image, Image for Windows, and so many other very well-known, well-respected 3rd party utilities around -- Windows built-in will never see the light of day on my computers.
[**] I think 7-zip always compresses its files, so, there are two exceptions *Smile
BTW, I'm very glad you are considering making backups!! I was convinced awhile back, WFW311 days, to make backups, never stopped since *Smile

 

Concerning backups, each of my three computers has two dedicated usb external platter-driven 1TB HDs. Macrium Reflect Pro is what I've recently been using. I have heavily used and still use now and then Acronis True Image. Wanting to learn more, I recently dabbled with Image for Windows. Anyway, normally, weekly or bi-monthly, I make at least two full images of my OS and data partitions onto both dedicated ext HDs. And, yes, I've had to restore a few times an OS partition!

 

Thanks Roland. So your using 7-Zip on Win 10 ok?

I really only want to compress the music folder on the Sandisk because it is close to running out of space (and I have another backup on the Samsung so....). However, what I might do is backup the two music folders (one in flac and one in MP3) to half a dozen 25Mb BluRay discs because they won't change - the folders will only get added to. Also, I'm in the middle of the vast job of cataloguing the Music and I see nil point in keeping any track that is just rubbish and will never get played (still have the CD anyway if I really wish to do my head in), so deleting them will probably keep it within 6 discs I'd say.

Re doing backups: I cut my teeth on an IBM 128 back in '76, so well and truly know their worth. I've only had one call on my backups so far in 15 years of PC, but it was worth it.

Actually, as far as letting Windows do the backups goes, I only let it do what it thinks are the essentials as well as a System Image, and the rest I copy across with some Visual Basic code out of Excel. I don't use the Username Documents folders at all - too damn slow to get to going all the way up the tree and then all the way back down. All my data is straight to C drive in about 12 master folders. Keeps the directory names short for all the other VB code (which is what pre-empted doing it this way).

 

Keep on keepn' on! *Smile