File names in blue and black

[Guest]

Could someone please tell me why some of my file names (in my documents, they
are usually attachments from email messages that I have saved, pictures and
jokes etc) are in blue text and some are in black text....what does this
mean? Can I change it so it is all the same? Cheers

 

[Nepatsfan]

(e-mail address removed),

Could someone please tell me why some of my file names (in
my documents, they are usually attachments from email
messages that I have saved, pictures and jokes etc) are in
blue text and some are in black text....what does this mean?
Can I change it so it is all the same? Cheers

The blue names indicate that those files were compressed. Odds
are you haven't opened those files for some time. Windows will
compress these files to save space.

If you don't want to see a different color for compressed
files, the easiest solution is to go to Control Panel, double
click Folder Options, click on the View tab and remove the
check mark from the box next to "Show encrypted or compressed
NTFS files in color".

It's possible to change the color of compressed files to black
and leave encrypted file names green. Post back if you want to
pursue that option.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Guest]

The files in blue are compressed. The files in black are not. If you want to
change it so they are all black, go to Start > Control Panel > Folder
Options. Select the 'View' tab. Scroll to the bottom and uncheck the box next
to 'Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color.' Then, click OK and
you are done.

-Christopher Isherwood

 

[Arkadiusz 'Black Fox' Artyszuk]

Could someone please tell me why some of my file names (in my documents, they
are usually attachments from email messages that I have saved, pictures and
jokes etc) are in blue text and some are in black text....what does this
mean? Can I change it so it is all the same? Cheers

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/c18621675.mspx

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Could someone please tell me why some of my file names (in my documents, they
are usually attachments from email messages that I have saved, pictures and
jokes etc) are in blue text and some are in black text....what does this
mean? Can I change it so it is all the same? Cheers

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



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Guest]

Now wouldn't it be great if we could ourselves assign special colors (barring
those
used by XP) to certain important files - in various folders - to make them
stand out
and faster to locate?

Make it possible(?). (Hey; it's my life).

 

[Wesley Vogel]

You can use TweakUI to change the colors of Compressed files, Hot-tracking
and Encrypted
files.

Open TweakUI
[+] Explorer
Colors
Next to the three options, Compressed files, Hot-tracking and Encrypted
files, click on the respective color to change how Explorer displays the
files. A color palette will pop up and you can make changes there.

Colors
[[This enables the changing of the colors of compressed files, hot tracking
and encrypted files. To enable color changing of compressed files, Explorer
must be configured to show compressed files in a different color.]]

Hot tracking is the color Explorer uses to display items as you hover over
them. Explorer must be in single click mode to see this.
-----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not
exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including
mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.

Version 2.10 requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows
Server 2003.

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
---

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Appreciate that, WV. It's a start. Just a bit worried about 'single-click',
tho'.
Downloaded already. Give it a go when time.

Thank you,

--
Ted...

You can use TweakUI to change the colors of Compressed files, Hot-tracking
and Encrypted
files.

Open TweakUI
[+] Explorer
Colors
Next to the three options, Compressed files, Hot-tracking and Encrypted
files, click on the respective color to change how Explorer displays the
files. A color palette will pop up and you can make changes there.

Colors
[[This enables the changing of the colors of compressed files, hot tracking
and encrypted files. To enable color changing of compressed files, Explorer
must be configured to show compressed files in a different color.]]

Hot tracking is the color Explorer uses to display items as you hover over
them. Explorer must be in single click mode to see this.
-----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not
exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including
mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.

Version 2.10 requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows
Server 2003.

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
---

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

single-click what?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Appreciate that, WV. It's a start. Just a bit worried about
'single-click', tho'.
Downloaded already. Give it a go when time.

Thank you,

--
Ted...

You can use TweakUI to change the colors of Compressed files,
Hot-tracking and Encrypted
files.

Open TweakUI
[+] Explorer
Colors
Next to the three options, Compressed files, Hot-tracking and Encrypted
files, click on the respective color to change how Explorer displays the
files. A color palette will pop up and you can make changes there.

Colors
[[This enables the changing of the colors of compressed files, hot
tracking and encrypted files. To enable color changing of compressed
files, Explorer must be configured to show compressed files in a
different color.]]

Hot tracking is the color Explorer uses to display items as you hover
over them. Explorer must be in single click mode to see this.
-----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not
exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including
mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.

Version 2.10 requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows
Server 2003.

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
---

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Now wouldn't it be great if we could ourselves assign special colors
(barring those
used by XP) to certain important files - in various folders - to make
them stand out
and faster to locate?

Make it possible(?). (Hey; it's my life).

--
Ted...


:

mirkanna wrote:
Could someone please tell me why some of my file names (in my
documents, they are usually attachments from email messages that I
have saved, pictures and jokes etc) are in blue text and some are in
black text....what does this mean? Can I change it so it is all the
same? Cheers


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



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Guest]

Nothing very serious.

It's just that, by "Explorer must be in 'single-click' mode when you do
this", I presumed you meant that one has to chose the 'single-click' mode in
Tools\Folder Options\General from Explorer toolbar; the same mode I use for
hyperlinks (and
Macro buttons) I create in Word docs.

This would mean that if I want to ALWAYS see my critical filenames in color
(as I would want to) in an Explorer listing, then I would also ALWAYS have to
be in 'single-click' mode. That just sounds a bit too, shall we say,
'risque' and
progressive to old conservative double-clickers like yours truly.

However, if someone can assure me it's OK and won't get me into any trouble,
then, why not, I'll give it a go.

(Downloaded but still not tried TUI as still working on another problem).

--
TurtleTed...

single-click what?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Appreciate that, WV. It's a start. Just a bit worried about
'single-click', tho'.
Downloaded already. Give it a go when time.

Thank you,

--
Ted...

You can use TweakUI to change the colors of Compressed files,
Hot-tracking and Encrypted
files.

Open TweakUI
[+] Explorer
Colors
Next to the three options, Compressed files, Hot-tracking and Encrypted
files, click on the respective color to change how Explorer displays the
files. A color palette will pop up and you can make changes there.

Colors
[[This enables the changing of the colors of compressed files, hot
tracking and encrypted files. To enable color changing of compressed
files, Explorer must be configured to show compressed files in a
different color.]]

Hot tracking is the color Explorer uses to display items as you hover
over them. Explorer must be in single click mode to see this.
-----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not
exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including
mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.

Version 2.10 requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows
Server 2003.

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
---

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In tedoniman <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Now wouldn't it be great if we could ourselves assign special colors
(barring those
used by XP) to certain important files - in various folders - to make
them stand out
and faster to locate?

Make it possible(?). (Hey; it's my life).

--
Ted...


:

mirkanna wrote:
Could someone please tell me why some of my file names (in my
documents, they are usually attachments from email messages that I
have saved, pictures and jokes etc) are in blue text and some are in
black text....what does this mean? Can I change it so it is all the
same? Cheers


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



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Wesley Vogel]

TurtleTed,

OK, I gotcha. I'm a double clicker myself.

Here's what I understand.

Hot tracking means that when the cursor moves over an item, it is
highlighted but not selected.

[[Hot tracking is the color Explorer uses to display items as you hover over
them. Explorer must be in single click mode to see this.]] That is
obvious, if you do not use the Single-click to open an item (point to
select) option, you will never see a customized Hot tracking color.

A lot of web pages use Hot tracking. The links change color as you hover
the cursor over them. I assume that this is so you can tell what it is that
you are about to select.

I think that Hot Tracking color (with TweakUI) applies only to: Single-click
to open an item (point to select) here...
Folder Options | General tab |
O Single-click to open an item (point to select)

Single-click to open an item (point to select)
[[Specifies that you want to open items in folders and on the desktop by
single-clicking them, just as you would click a link on a Web page. To
select an item without opening it, rest your pointer on it.]]

Underline icon titles consistent with my browser
[[Specifies that icon titles in your folders and on the desktop appear
underlined, like links on a Web page. For this to apply, verify that the
Underline links setting in the browser is set to Always or Hover, but not
Never. ***
To check the Underline links setting in the browser, open Internet Explorer,
click Tools, and then click Internet Options. On the Advanced tab, under
Browsing, find Underline links.]]

Underline icon titles only when I point at them
[[Specifies that icon titles in your folders and on the desktop appear
underlined only when you rest your pointer on the title. ]]

***
Internet Explorer | Tools | Internet Options | Advanced tab | Under Browsing
|
[ ] Underline links
O Always
O Hover
O Never

Underline links
[[Specifies how you want links on Web pages underlined. Select one of the
following settings:
To underline all links, click Always.
To not underline links, click Never.
To underline links when your mouse pointer is over the link, click Hover. ]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Nothing very serious.

It's just that, by "Explorer must be in 'single-click' mode when you do
this", I presumed you meant that one has to chose the 'single-click' mode
in Tools\Folder Options\General from Explorer toolbar; the same mode I
use for hyperlinks (and
Macro buttons) I create in Word docs.

This would mean that if I want to ALWAYS see my critical filenames in
color (as I would want to) in an Explorer listing, then I would also
ALWAYS have to be in 'single-click' mode. That just sounds a bit too,
shall we say, 'risque' and
progressive to old conservative double-clickers like yours truly.

However, if someone can assure me it's OK and won't get me into any
trouble, then, why not, I'll give it a go.

(Downloaded but still not tried TUI as still working on another problem).

--
TurtleTed...

single-click what?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Appreciate that, WV. It's a start. Just a bit worried about
'single-click', tho'.
Downloaded already. Give it a go when time.

Thank you,

--
Ted...


:

You can use TweakUI to change the colors of Compressed files,
Hot-tracking and Encrypted
files.

Open TweakUI
[+] Explorer
Colors
Next to the three options, Compressed files, Hot-tracking and Encrypted
files, click on the respective color to change how Explorer displays
the files. A color palette will pop up and you can make changes there.

Colors
[[This enables the changing of the colors of compressed files, hot
tracking and encrypted files. To enable color changing of compressed
files, Explorer must be configured to show compressed files in a
different color.]]

Hot tracking is the color Explorer uses to display items as you hover
over them. Explorer must be in single click mode to see this.
-----

Download TweakUI here >>>

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Tweak UI
This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not
exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including
mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.

Version 2.10 requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows
Server 2003.

Tweak UI
TweakUI.exe
---

Tweak UI for Windows XP Guide
http://www.winxpsolution.com/Tweakuixppro.aspx


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In tedoniman <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Now wouldn't it be great if we could ourselves assign special colors
(barring those
used by XP) to certain important files - in various folders - to make
them stand out
and faster to locate?

Make it possible(?). (Hey; it's my life).

--
Ted...


:

mirkanna wrote:
Could someone please tell me why some of my file names (in my
documents, they are usually attachments from email messages that I
have saved, pictures and jokes etc) are in blue text and some are in
black text....what does this mean? Can I change it so it is all the
same? Cheers


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



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but
as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Guest]

Thank you Wesley for that wealth of information. Greatly appreciate that.
Still not tried. Bit tied up lately and today need to make a long Visa run
here to Thai border. Just making quick run thru email and problem responses.

I take it from my quick browse thru your post (which I'm saving for later
thorough read) that the color doesn't show up unless actually hovering over
the filename.
Well, that's close but not quite exactly what I was hoping for.

Truth is, I'm a very slow reader and just wanted certain critical files I'm
always looking for to be permanently listed in color so that in a group of,
say, 100 files in
a particular folder, I could immediately narrow down the one's of interest
(just a
few).

As I haven't heard of any such feature or option, I expect MS doesn't wan't
anyone messing about with their way of doing things. Still, I'm surprised
some enterprising programmer hasn't come up with something like that. Oh
well. Hurry up and wait.

Got to run and thanx again. I will try the TweakUI, though, since that
option is OK too and as close as I am going to get. Also, there's a lot of
other useful goodies in there as well.

Appreciate.

--
Ted...

TurtleTed,

OK, I gotcha. I'm a double clicker myself.

Here's what I understand.

Hot tracking means that when the cursor moves over an item, it is
highlighted but not selected.

(rest removed for brevity)

 

[Wesley Vogel]

If you're set to double click you will not see Hot tracking colors, except
on web pages.

To have different file types have different colors is not possible, unless
there is some 3rd party way and I have not bothered to search.

I just reread your original question, at least the first one that I saw, and
I realize that I have drifted off into left field, not uncommon for me. I
apologize, I suffer from can't see the forest for the trees on occasion.

IMO, the way to keep track of files is to give them names that mean
something and to organize those files by keeping related files in folders
that are created for that purpose. Just like organizing a real world four
drawer file cabinet. I learned early on that placing every file that I had
into My Documents folder was not a very efficient way of storing files.
It's like having every piece of paper that you own tossed into the back of a
pickup truck. ;-)

Just like you might have different colored folders in a real world file
cabinet, you can customize folders with different pictures or different
icons.

How to modify your folder view settings or to customize a folder
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812003

How to Change the Default Icons for Folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310192

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Just got back & making quick run thru email and stuff. Roger on all that. I
believe your folder picture idea is best way for me to go. Did install
TweakUI and that color
feature. Works OK and looks good. I got it set up so only the folders in
left Explorer pane change color as I hover over them - which suits me fine.

I still think, though, that a selective filename color change capability can
be useful
(and we know from this thread that it is already used by MS in at least 2
instances).
Maybe someone should suggest this option (sans the blue and green) for
inclusion in TweakUI.

Already know how to change the folder characteristics - just didn't think of
it. Will
check those 2 links now to get some more in-depth info on it.

Am also still looking for a way to "hide" or "password protect" some special
folders
in Win XP Pro / Fat 32. According to some posts on the subject I've browsed
thru,
this can only be done properly via EFS on NTFS partition (which I don't want
to use). However, downloaded some trial 3rd party programs which easily do
this on FAT32. I reckon if they can do it, there must be a simple way.

Maybe one could write a batch file to 'edit' or 'hide' a particular folder
name in Registry for the duration and then use same batch file (w/ Choice
menu), to reverse the process (aware of the risks). Then there's always the
'Rename' option and some old DOS tricks w/ 'SET' command (if I can find my
old notes on that). Anyway, just a thought.

OK then, thanx again; I'm off to those links...

--
Ted...

If you're set to double click you will not see Hot tracking colors, except
on web pages.

To have different file types have different colors is not possible, unless
there is some 3rd party way and I have not bothered to search.

(rest deleted for brevity...)

 

[Wesley Vogel]

The only reason that I can think of for having a FAT32 formatted drive with
XP is if you're dual booting with an old version of Windows or with MS-DOS.

This is the first item I found with a Google search. I know nothing about
it except they claim it works with XP on FAT32.

Folder Password Protect
http://www.filesland.com/companies/Password-Protect-Team/Folder-Password-Protect.html

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

21-MAR-06 / 03:40 BKK time

OK. Got it. Missed that one. Might do the trick. Will check that link like
right now.

Can't mess w/ machine. Not mine. Only run it at night when not in use by
more serious folk. Has 2nd, NTFS partition, though, for backups and stuff -
but no XP
installation there. Not sure if that partition could be used for my stated
purpose
w/o the XP actually running in it. Might check that out though.

In meantime, gracias. Let you know...

--
Ted...

The only reason that I can think of for having a FAT32 formatted drive with
XP is if you're dual booting with an old version of Windows or with MS-DOS.

This is the first item I found with a Google search. I know nothing about
it except they claim it works with XP on FAT32.

Folder Password Protect
http://www.filesland.com/companies/Password-Protect-Team/Folder-Password-Protect.html

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

(rest deleted for brevity...)