Let $K$ be an absolutely convex infinite-dimensional compact in a Banach space $\mathcal{X}$. The set of all bounded linear operators $T$ on $\mathcal{X}$ satisfying $TK\supset K$ is denoted by $G(K)$. Our starting point is the study of the closure $WG(K)$ of $G(K)$ in the weak operator topology. We prove that $WG(K)$ contains the algebra of all operators leaving $\overline{\lin(K)}$ invariant. More precise results are obtained in terms of the Kolmogorov $n$-widths of the compact $K$. The obtained results are used in the study of operator ranges and operator equations.
