MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-270): Installing ...

10-28 Chapter 10 Managing Data Storage
Lesson 2: Managing Compression
Windows XP Professional supports two types of compression: NTFS compression
and the Compressed Folders feature. NTFS compression enables you to compress
files, folders, or an entire drive. NTFS compressed files and folders occupy less space
on an NTFS-formatted volume, which enables you to store more data. Each file and
folder on an NTFS volume has a compression state, which is either compressed or
uncompressed. The Compressed Folders feature allows you to create a compressed
folder so that all files you store in that folder are automatically compressed.
After this lesson, you will be able to
■ Explain the purpose of compressed folders.
■ Compress files, folders, or volumes by using NTFS compression.
Estimated lesson time: 60 minutes
What Is the Compressed Folders Feature?
The Compressed Folders feature is new in Windows XP Professional and allows you to
compress folders, while retaining the ability to view and work with their contents.
To create a compressed folder, start Windows Explorer, click File, click New, and then
click Compressed (Zipped) Folder. This creates a compressed folder in the current folder.
You can drag and drop files into the compressed folder and the files are automatically
compressed. If you copy a file from the compressed folder to another that is not compressed,
that file will no longer be compressed. A zipper icon is shown, marking compressed
folders (see Figure 10-13), and these folders are labeled Compressed Folder.
Benefits of using compressed folders generated with the Compressed Folders feature
include the following:
■ You can create and use compressed files and folders on both file allocation table
(FAT) and NTFS volumes.
■ You can open files directly from the compressed folders and you can run some
programs directly from compressed folders.
■ You can move these compressed files and folders to any drive or folder on your
computer, the Internet, or your network and they are compatible with other zip
programs.
■ You can encrypt compressed folders that you created using this feature.
■ You can compress folders without decreasing performance.
■ You can compress individual files only by storing them in a compressed folder. If you
move or extract the files into an uncompressed folder, they will be uncompressed.