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Enabling Windows File Compression on FPI/Logs/Temp folders (version 21.x and newer)

Enabling Windows File Compression on FPI/Logs/Temp Folders

For NovaBACKUP version 21.x and newer

Overview

NovaBACKUP requires about 10GB of free disk space on your C: drive to operate properly. However, the backup files and logs can quickly consume much more space than this.

Good news: You can enable Windows file compression to save significant disk space (typically reducing file sizes by about 75% or a 4:1 ratio).

What Gets Compressed

This guide covers compressing these NovaBACKUP folders:

  • FPI folder - Stores backup restore index files (database of backup contents)
  • Logs folder - Contains application logs
  • Temp folder - Holds temporary data during operations

When to Use This Method

✅ Use this guide if:

  • You're running low on C: drive space
  • You can't delete files or expand your C: drive
  • You want to reduce NovaBACKUP's disk usage

⚠️ Note: You can also move the FPI folder to a different drive - see this guide for instructions.

Before You Start

Prerequisites

  1. Close NovaBACKUP completely:
    • Exit the NovaBACKUP client application
    • Stop all background processes using Task Manager > Details tab:
      • engine.exe
      • NovaBackX.exe
      • nsCtrl.exe
      • nsService.exe
      • drdiag.exe
  2. Make sure no backup jobs are currently running

Important Warning

⚠️ Only compress the specific folders listed below. Do NOT compress the entire NovaStor NovaBACKUP parent folder - this will cause problems.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Navigate to the NovaBACKUP Folder

  1. Open Windows Explorer

  2. Navigate to: C:\ProgramData\NovaStor\NovaStor NovaBACKUP\

    💡 Tip: ProgramData is hidden by default. You can:

    • Type the path directly in the address bar, or
    • Enable "Show hidden files" in Explorer's View options

Step 2: Enable Compression on Required Folders

Compress these 3 folders (do each one separately):

  • FPI
  • Logs
  • Temp

For each folder:

  1. Right-click the folder name
  2. Select "Properties"
  3. Click the "Advanced..." button
  4. Check the box for "Compress contents to save disk space"
  5. Click "OK" to save
  6. Click "OK" again to close Properties

✅ Success indicator: The folder should turn blue after compression is enabled.

Step 3: Additional Folders (If Needed)

Only do this if you use legacy backup devices (not Local Backup or Cloud Backup):

If you create backups to device types other than 'Local Backup' or 'Cloud Backup', also compress these folders:

  • Data\Media
  • Index

Skip this step if you only use:

  • Modern FPI backup engine (Local/Cloud backups)
  • Image backup jobs

Step 4: Restart NovaBACKUP

  1. Start the NovaBACKUP software
  2. Test your setup by running a backup job
  3. Monitor the compressed folders to ensure they're working properly

Optional: Move Temp Folder to Different Drive

If you have additional hard drives (D:, E:, etc.), you can move the temp folder:

  1. In NovaBACKUP, click the large "N" button (top left)
  2. Go to "Default Settings"
  3. Select the "Advanced Options" tab
  4. Find "Temporary Files directory" (currently shows the C: drive path)
  5. Click the "..." button to browse to your preferred drive/folder
  6. Create a new folder on the other drive for NovaBACKUP temp files
  7. Set this new path and save

Expected Results

Space savings: Typically 4:1 compression ratio

  • Example: 20GB of files → approximately 5GB after compression

File types that compress well:

  • Log files
  • Index databases
  • Temporary backup data

Troubleshooting

If compression doesn't work:

  • Ensure you followed the shutdown procedure completely
  • Verify you're compressing individual folders, not the parent folder
  • Check that you have administrative privileges

If you see errors:

  • Make sure no NovaBACKUP processes are running
  • Try restarting your computer and repeating the process

Need More Help?