Disable NTFS Compression for Users

Snuffy · 21-06-2008

Is there a method to disable users from compressing NTFS drives, folders,
and/or files on a server? For example, if a user goes into properties for a
network drive there is a check box option for "Compress drive to save disk
space". If they check this option there are not denied access and the
compression occurs.

A couple users have already compressed their home folders. Luckily nobody
has done this for the common shared folder yet. I played with this in the
lab and it appears write access or higher allows a user to compress.

This MS article says how compressing can affect performance so I find it odd
it can't be easily disabled for users.

"Best practices for NTFS compression in Windows"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/251186/EN-US/

I have done a lot of searching and have yet to find a good solution. I was
hoping for a group policy method so it can be done centrally and quickly.

This is the only possible solution I have found, 2 quotes from MS below. It
would basically mean formatting the drive with a cluster size larger than 4
KB. I haven't tested this yet. I'm hoping there is a better way.
"Because file compression is not supported on cluster sizes greater than 4
KB, the default NTFS cluster size for Windows Server 2003 never exceeds 4
KB."

"The compression algorithms in NTFS support cluster sizes of up to 4 KB.
When the cluster size is greater than 4 KB on an NTFS volume, none of the
NTFS compression features are available."

This is what I am working with.

Client: Windows XP
Server: Windows 2000 & 2003

Anyone familiar with this issue and its solution?

Meinolf Weber · 21-06-2008

Hello snuffy,

Have a look on this one:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328597

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> Is there a method to disable users from compressing NTFS drives,
> folders, and/or files on a server? For example, if a user goes into
> properties for a network drive there is a check box option for
> "Compress drive to save disk space". If they check this option there
> are not denied access and the compression occurs.
>
> A couple users have already compressed their home folders. Luckily
> nobody has done this for the common shared folder yet. I played with
> this in the lab and it appears write access or higher allows a user to
> compress.
>
> This MS article says how compressing can affect performance so I find
> it odd it can't be easily disabled for users.
>
> "Best practices for NTFS compression in Windows"
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/251186/EN-US/
> I have done a lot of searching and have yet to find a good solution. I
> was hoping for a group policy method so it can be done centrally and
> quickly.
>
> This is the only possible solution I have found, 2 quotes from MS
> below. It
> would basically mean formatting the drive with a cluster size larger
> than 4
> KB. I haven't tested this yet. I'm hoping there is a better way.
> "Because file compression is not supported on cluster sizes greater
> than 4
> KB, the default NTFS cluster size for Windows Server 2003 never
> exceeds 4
> KB."
> "The compression algorithms in NTFS support cluster sizes of up to 4
> KB. When the cluster size is greater than 4 KB on an NTFS volume, none
> of the NTFS compression features are available."
>
> This is what I am working with.
>
> Client: Windows XP
> Server: Windows 2000 & 2003
> Anyone familiar with this issue and its solution?
>

Snuffy · 23-06-2008

Thank you Meinolf. I did come across that during my search. I was hoping for
a simpler, centralized method, but may end up using this or formatting with
a larger than 4kb cluster size if nothing easier comes up. The distribution
method and making sure all clients always have this may be a pain.

"Meinolf Weber" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
news:ff16fb66a1ada8caa15041e9e840@msnews.microsoft.com...
> Hello snuffy,
>
> Have a look on this one:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328597
>
> Best regards
>
> Meinolf Weber
> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> confers no rights.
> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>
>> Is there a method to disable users from compressing NTFS drives,
>> folders, and/or files on a server? For example, if a user goes into
>> properties for a network drive there is a check box option for
>> "Compress drive to save disk space". If they check this option there
>> are not denied access and the compression occurs.
>>
>> A couple users have already compressed their home folders. Luckily
>> nobody has done this for the common shared folder yet. I played with
>> this in the lab and it appears write access or higher allows a user to
>> compress.
>>
>> This MS article says how compressing can affect performance so I find
>> it odd it can't be easily disabled for users.
>>
>> "Best practices for NTFS compression in Windows"
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/251186/EN-US/
>> I have done a lot of searching and have yet to find a good solution. I
>> was hoping for a group policy method so it can be done centrally and
>> quickly.
>>
>> This is the only possible solution I have found, 2 quotes from MS
>> below. It
>> would basically mean formatting the drive with a cluster size larger
>> than 4
>> KB. I haven't tested this yet. I'm hoping there is a better way.
>> "Because file compression is not supported on cluster sizes greater
>> than 4
>> KB, the default NTFS cluster size for Windows Server 2003 never
>> exceeds 4
>> KB."
>> "The compression algorithms in NTFS support cluster sizes of up to 4
>> KB. When the cluster size is greater than 4 KB on an NTFS volume, none
>> of the NTFS compression features are available."
>>
>> This is what I am working with.
>>
>> Client: Windows XP
>> Server: Windows 2000 & 2003
>> Anyone familiar with this issue and its solution?
>>
>
>