Compress old log files (e.g., ZIP after 7 days)?

Question

ICSM Computer · Answer

Great idea. Compressing old logs after 7 days reduces disk usage and keeps your app clean.
Here’s a step-by-step plan to automatically compress log files older than 7 days into
.zip files and optionally delete the originals.
Step 1: Add NuGet Reference (if needed)
If you're not already referencing System.IO.Compression.FileSystem, install it via NuGet:
Install-Package System.IO.Compression.FileSystem
Step 2: Compression Helper (ZIP Old Logs)
using System.IO.Compression;
public static class LogCompressor
{
    public static void CompressOldLogs(string logDirectory, int olderThanDays = 7)
    {
        if (!Directory.Exists(logDirectory))
            return;
        var logFiles = Directory.GetFiles(logDirectory, "*.txt")
            .Where(file =andgt; File.GetCreationTimeUtc(file) andlt; DateTime.UtcNow.AddDays(-olderThanDays));
        foreach (var logFile in logFiles)
        {
            try
            {
                string fileName = Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(logFile); // e.g., UserActivityLog_2025-05-20
                string zipFile = Path.Combine(logDirectory, fileName + ".zip");
                using (FileStream zipToOpen = new FileStream(zipFile, FileMode.Create))
                using (ZipArchive archive = new ZipArchive(zipToOpen, ZipArchiveMode.Create))
                {
                    archive.CreateEntryFromFile(logFile, Path.GetFileName(logFile));
                }
                File.Delete(logFile); // delete the original
            }
            catch
            {
                // handle or log exception, don't break app
            }
        }
    }
}
Step 3: Call It Periodically (e.g., Global.asax or Scheduler)
In Global.asax.cs:
protected void Application_Start()
{
    // Other setup...
    Task.Run(() =andgt;
    {
        string logDir = HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("~/App_Data/UserLogs");
        LogCompressor.CompressOldLogs(logDir);
    });
}
Or schedule it using a background task or external job if your app runs long-term.
Result
UserActivityLog_2025-05-20.txt → UserActivityLog_2025-05-20.zipOriginal .txt is deleted (can be optional)Remaining logs under 7 days are untouched
Optional Enhancements:
Keep both ZIP and TXT?Email compressed logs?Archive logs to a separate folder like ~/App_Data/LogArchive?

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Compress old log files (e.g., ZIP after 7 days)?

ICSM Computer

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1 Answers

Step 1: Add NuGet Reference (if needed)

Step 2: Compression Helper (ZIP Old Logs)

Step 3: Call It Periodically (e.g., Global.asax or Scheduler)

Result

Optional Enhancements:

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