This command line utility can be used to compress one or more files. You cannot open a file that has been compressed by using this utility. You have to expand it by using Expand or Expndw32 first.
To use this utility, type compress with the appropriate options at the command line:
compress [-r] [-d] source [destination]
Option | Description |
-r | Renames compressed files. |
-d | Updates compressed files only if out of date. |
source | Specifies the source file. The "*" and "?" wildcards can be used. |
destination | Specifies the destination file or path. The destination can be a folder. If source specifies multiple files and the -r option is not specified, then destination must be a folder. |
Note
You should not use this utility to compress files or folders on NTFS volumes. Instead, compress NTFS files and folders by using the Compact utility or by setting or clearing the Compressed attribute in My Computer or Windows NT Explorer. See Chapter 18, "Choosing a File System," in the Windows NT Workstation Resource Guide, for information about using My Computer or Windows NT Explorer.