CompactGUI is a Windows desktop application that reduces disk space used by games and programs through transparent file compression.
The tool solves the problem of large game and application installations consuming excessive disk space. It works by providing a graphical interface to the Windows Overlay Filter driver and Win32 APIs, exposing the same compression capabilities available through the native compact.exe command-line tool in Windows 10 and later. Files remain accessible and usable in their normal locations without repackaging; applications launch and run exactly as before, but occupy significantly less storage. The compression uses modern algorithms introduced in Windows 10 that achieve higher compression ratios with minimal performance impact compared to older Windows compression methods.
Developers and users managing large game libraries or software installations on Windows systems should consider this tool. It suits anyone running Windows 10 or later who wants to reclaim disk space without relocating or restructuring their applications. The README demonstrates compression results on specific titles, showing substantial space savings on large installations. The tool is positioned as a more effective alternative to the older built-in Windows compression available through file properties, leveraging superior algorithms rather than the legacy approach.
The project maintains active development with regular updates and releases. The codebase is written in Visual Basic .NET using WPF for the interface, targeting modern .NET versions. The tool includes a file watcher feature and database functionality alongside its core compression capabilities, indicating ongoing feature development beyond basic compression operations.
