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CompactGUI

github.com/IridiumIO/CompactGUI File Utilities Open-source projectOpen source

CompactGUI uses Windows APIs to compress games and programs on disk while keeping them usable, according to its project description.

Visit CompactGUI 24 alternatives
github.com/IridiumIO/CompactGUI
CompactGUI homepage screenshot

About CompactGUI

CompactGUI is an open-source Windows utility that provides a graphical interface for Windows' native filesystem compression APIs to reduce disk space used by games, programs, and other folders without impacting functionality. It delivers transparent compression so compressed files work normally, with extra features including compression estimation, background folder monitoring, and Windows Explorer integration. It cannot compress whole drives or full Windows installations, and should not be used on games that use DirectStorage on Windows 11.

Key features

  • Transparent compression of games, programs, and folders via Windows WOF APIs
  • Visual feedback for compression progress and statistics
  • Configurable skip list for poorly compressed file types
  • Compression estimation for Steam and non-Steam games
  • Windows Explorer context menu integration
  • Background watcher to auto-maintain compression on folder changes
Best for: Windows users seeking to reduce disk space used by games, programs, and other folders without impacting their normal functionality.
Good for
  • Uses native Windows compression APIs for transparent compression with no performance loss
  • Provides compression estimation based on over 100,000 community submissions for many Steam games
  • Includes background watcher to automatically re-compress folders after changes like game updates
Watch out for
  • Cannot be used on games that utilize DirectStorage on Windows 11
  • Does not support compressing whole drives or full Windows installations
  • Non-Steam game compression estimation uses a less accurate algorithmic method

CompactGUI at a glance

Type
Open-source project
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Windows
Open source
Yes · Source code
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026
open sourcegameapispace

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CompactGUI FAQ

Does compressing files with CompactGUI affect their normal use?
No, compression is transparent, so files and programs work exactly as they did before compression.
How does CompactGUI's compression differ from older Windows compression?
It uses newer Windows 10+ compression algorithms that deliver better compression ratios with almost no performance impact.
Can CompactGUI compress entire drives or Windows installations?
No, it is designed only for folders and files; whole drive or Windows OS compression requires the compact.exe command-line tool.
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Listing maintained by Chris McClure and the WebIndexly editors · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · How we rank