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On Windows 10 or 11, you can use the built-in compact command to compress a game folder on an NTFS drive without turning it into an archive that must be extracted before playing. Savings vary by game, and no method can guarantee compatibility with every game or anti-cheat setup. Start with one game, check the result, and keep the command to undo the change handy.
What game compression does—and what it does not do
Windows NTFS compression compresses files on the drive while leaving them in their original folders. Windows handles decompression transparently when files are read, so this is different from putting a game in a ZIP or RAR archive, which would need to be extracted before use.
Microsoft describes compact as “the command-line version of the NTFS file system compression feature.” Its documentation lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 as supported. The command can compress or uncompress files and folders, and includes XPRESS and LZX options: Microsoft Learn: compact.
This is not the same as CompactOS. The compact command has separate CompactOS switches; here, the goal is to operate on a specific game folder.
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Check the game drive before compressing
The built-in method works on NTFS partitions, not FAT or FAT32. Confirm the file system of the drive holding the game before running the command. In File Explorer, right-click the drive, choose Properties, and look for File system on the General tab. If it does not say NTFS, do not use this method on that drive.
Use the path to the individual game folder, not a broad parent folder containing unrelated games or files. Keep a backup of important saves according to the game or platform’s own instructions. Some saves—particularly for third-party games—may be stored outside the Steam game folder.
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Compress a game folder with Windows
- Open File Explorer and locate the game’s installation folder. Copy its full path, or note the drive and folder names.
- Open Command Prompt. If Windows denies access to the folder, close it and reopen Command Prompt with Run as administrator.
- Run the compression command below, replacing the example path with the exact game folder. The quotes keep paths containing spaces together:
compact /c /s /exe:lzx "D:GamesExample" - Let the command finish and read its output for errors. Check the folder’s reported compressed size or the drive’s free space to see what changed; do not assume the command delivered a particular amount of savings.
- Launch the game and check that it works. If you notice a problem, use the reversal command below.
The command uses /C to compress, /S to apply the operation through the directory tree, and /EXE:LZX to select LZX. Microsoft describes LZX as the most compact of the listed executable-style algorithms. The documentation does not promise a specific game’s performance or compatibility.
Undo compression if a game has problems
To reverse the LZX operation on the same folder, run:
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compact /u /s /exe:lzx "D:GamesExample"
Use the same compression family when reversing the operation; the documented behavior of /U depends on whether /EXE is specified. Check the output for errors and then launch the game again. If you used a different compression option, consult the command documentation and match it when uncompressing.
How much space will compression save?
There is no dependable percentage that applies to all PC games. Results depend on the game’s file structure and how much compression the developer has already applied. Files that are already compressed may have little room to shrink. Check the actual result on your system rather than relying on a general estimate.
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Updates can add files or modify existing ones, reducing the savings. Microsoft says files and subdirectories created inside a compressed directory inherit its compression attribute; existing updates may also change what is compressed. After a major update, check the folder again and reapply compression if needed. The Game Compressor vendor also advises checking updated games and describes its estimates as approximate: Game Compressor on Steam.
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Move a Steam game to another drive
Steam supports moving installations and games to another drive. This can make more sense than compression if you have a suitable second drive and want to avoid changing the files’ compression state. Steam warns that installing Steam on an external hard drive may cause performance issues. Before moving or removing a game, check whether its saves are stored outside the game folder and whether they are safely backed up or synced. See Steam Support: moving a Steam installation and games.
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Consider streaming for eligible games
Xbox cloud gaming supports Windows PCs for supported titles in supported regions. Most supported games require an eligible Game Pass subscription, and a minimum connection speed applies. Some games you own can be streamed without installing them through the Xbox PC app. This option only applies to eligible games and locations, so check the current catalog, plan requirements, and region before relying on it: Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Use a graphical compression utility only if it suits your needs
Game Compressor is an optional third-party Windows utility. Its Steam listing says it uses Windows LZX compression, provides estimated savings, and offers a way to decompress; it requires an NTFS drive that supports LZX. The vendor says results vary and updates can require reoptimization. It is a graphical alternative, not a requirement—Windows already includes compact. Check the utility’s current terms and compatibility before installing it.
Add another compatible drive
A second internal SSD can provide room for games moved off a crowded drive, but compatibility depends on the PC. Check the system’s supported interface, form factor, capacity, and available slot before choosing a drive. Steam’s move instructions establish that games can be moved to another drive; they do not establish that any particular SSD will fit or work in a particular computer.
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