Blue File Names in Windows Explorer

G

Guest

Can anyone tell me why files listed in Windows Explorer (Win XP) switch from
black to blue text after some time. My only guess is that files that haven't
been used in a while turn blue. Any other ideas? Is there a way to change
this?

Thanks,
Jacob
 
K

Ken Blake

In
JEAllen said:
Can anyone tell me why files listed in Windows Explorer (Win
XP)
switch from black to blue text after some time. My only guess
is that
files that haven't been used in a while turn blue. Any other
ideas?
Is there a way to change this?


Blue files are compressed.
 
S

Shenan Stanley

JEAllen said:
Can anyone tell me why files listed in Windows Explorer (Win XP)
switch from black to blue text after some time. My only guess is that
files that haven't been used in a while turn blue. Any other ideas?
Is there a way to change this?

They are being "compressed" due to non-use.
Google could help you find out more information on this.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1146803,00.asp
or
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25558
or
http://www.pcbanter.net/t9151.html
or
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...n-us/windows_viewoptions_compressedcolor.mspx

COLORED FILENAMES
Windows XP offers the NTFS file system, which in turn supports NTFS file
compression. By default, NTFS-compressed files and folders are displayed in
a
bright blue color.

This happens even if you have not compressed any files yourself!
It happens when you use the Disk Cleanup applet, which includes an option
called Compress Old Files to save space. (In Windows Explorer or My
Computer, right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, click
Properties, click the General tab, and then click Disk Cleanup.)

If you prefer, you can select Folder Options from Windows Explorer's Tools
menu, click on the View tab, and uncheck the item that says Show encrypted
or compressed NTFS files in color. But consider retaining this visual
indication that a file is compressed.

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307987
 
B

Bruce Chambers

JEAllen said:
Can anyone tell me why files listed in Windows Explorer (Win XP) switch from
black to blue text after some time. My only guess is that files that haven't
been used in a while turn blue. Any other ideas? Is there a way to change
this?

Thanks,
Jacob


By design, WinXP automatically compresses files that do not get
used frequently, and, if you've left the default settings intact,
displays those files in blue.

If you wish to change this behavior, in Windows Explorer, click
Tools > Folder Options > View > Advanced settings: Show encrypted or
compressed NTFS files in color.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
A

Alex Nichol

JEAllen said:
Can anyone tell me why files listed in Windows Explorer (Win XP) switch from
black to blue text after some time. My only guess is that files that haven't
been used in a while turn blue. Any other ideas? Is there a way to change
this?

It indicates that they (usually complete folders) have been compressed
to save space. An example is the $NTUninstall. . . folders of
components that would be needed to uninstall hot fixes
 

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