ShelfSpace guides

How Windows’ built-in compression works on games, and how to use it by hand. No app needed to follow them.

• How to shrink installed Steam games with Windows’ built-in compression (compact.exe)

  Compress an installed Steam game in place with compact.exe and LZX or XPRESS: the exact commands, how to check the savings, how to undo it, and the caveats.

• LZX vs XPRESS for games: which Windows compression algorithm to pick

  What LZX and XPRESS4K, 8K and 16K do in Windows file compression, the CPU vs ratio trade-off, real LZX results from four Steam games, and why some games barely shrink.