How to Set Exceptions in Compression Agent

This article describes how to use Compression Agent to customize the compression methods used to compress the files on a disk.

Compression Agent is included with Microsoft Plus!. You can use Compression Agent to recompress the files on a disk using the compression methods you specify. You can recompress a disk using a single compression method, or you can use different methods for individual files and folders. You can also leave individual files and folders uncompressed.

To configure Compression Agent to use different compression methods for individual files or folders, or to leave individual files or folders uncompressed, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Compression Agent.
2. Click Settings, and then click Exceptions.
3. Follow these steps to add an exception:
   
   
   1. Click Add.
   2. To set an exception for a file, click File. To set an exception for a folder, click Folder. To set an exception for a particular file type, click All Files Of Specified Extension.
   3. Type the name of the file or folder or file type you want to set an exception for in the box. If you are setting an exception for a file or folder, you can click Browse to locate the file or folder instead of typing the name of the object manually.
   4. Click UltraPack, HiPack, or No Compression to indicate the compression method that should be used for the specified file, folder, or file type.
   5. Click Add.
   6. Repeat steps B-E for each exception you want to set. When you are finished adding exceptions, click Close.

Note that the DriveSpace 3 compression software included with Microsoft Plus! supports three compression methods that determine how much your files are compressed. The three compression methods are standard, HiPack, and UltraPack.

The standard compression method used by DriveSpace 3 provides better compression than the standard compression method used by MS-DOS or Windows 95 DriveSpace or MS-DOS DoubleSpace. HiPack provides even better compression than standard compression and UltraPack provides the most compression. However, the more disk compression you use, the more likely your computer's performance will be affected.