Disk Cleanup Utility’s compression algorithm can take a very long time to search for compressible old files (right now for me it takes over 10 minutes, which is why I went searching for this solution), and when disabled, the other functions of Disk Cleanup can take only a few seconds. This is the procedure to disable this algorithm.
I have completed this fix successfully on Windows XP. I have not tried it on other Windows Operation Systems and my sources don’t say anything about them, so it is not recommended.
For information on the use of the Disk Cleanup Utility: http://www.theeldergeek.com/disk_cleanup_utility.htm
There are two ways for this fix from my sources. One is by using .reg files, but the other is the safer but longer way:
Edit the registry using the registry editor
1) Start > Run > regedit
a) (Optional, but recommended) Backup your registry: File > Export
2) Browse to the following directory: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ VolumeCaches \ Compress old files
3) Now you have two choices:
a) Delete the entire key (not recommended)
b) Invalidate the GUID in the “(Default Value)” key by adding the word “Disabled: ” in front of it (any word will work though). In the future, if you want to enable this option again, simply delete the word you entered.
Sources
http://forum.ccleaner.com/lofiversion/index.php/t4667.html
http://www.windowsitpro.com/Windows/Article/ArticleID/42597/42597.html (Comments section)
