WUGNET, the Windows User Group Network
Your Complete Resource Center for "The Best" in Shareware, Computing Tips and Support, Windows Industry News... and much more!
Home Forums Shareware Windows Tips Hot Offers FREE Newsletters Arcade Contact Us About Partners
Search WUGNET: RSS Feeds RSS Feeds Advertise with WUGNET    |    Shareware eBooks
HomeHome FAQFAQ      ProfileProfile    Private MessagesPrivate Messages   Log inLog in

File name color change

 
   Home -> Windows -> Basics RSS
Next:  Process Monitor Warning  
Author Message
JacMac

External


Since: Oct 05, 2008
Posts: 1



(Msg. 1) Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 5:12 pm
Post subject: File name color change
Archived from groups: microsoft>public>windowsxp>basics (more info?)

somehow I have changed all of desktop program file names as well as all my
"my documents" folders for all my user accounts to blue file names. (the
words are blue, no boxes, or anything else, just blue)

I have NO idea what that means, and I am sure I did not mean to do it.

Could someone please tell me how to UN do it.

Thanks!
Back to top
Login to vote
Ken Blake MVP

External


Since: Feb 19, 2004
Posts: 9211



(Msg. 2) Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 5:40 pm
Post subject: Re: File name color change [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

On Sun, 5 Oct 2008 17:12:00 -0700, JacMac
<JacMac.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> somehow I have changed all of desktop program file names as well as all my
> "my documents" folders for all my user accounts to blue file names. (the
> words are blue, no boxes, or anything else, just blue)
>
> I have NO idea what that means, and I am sure I did not mean to do it.
>
> Could someone please tell me how to UN do it.


Blue is the default color for files that are compressed.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Back to top
Login to vote
Shenan Stanley

External


Since: Mar 03, 2005
Posts: 10616



(Msg. 3) Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:17 pm
Post subject: Re: File name color change [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

JacMac wrote:
> somehow I have changed all of desktop program file names as well as
> all my "my documents" folders for all my user accounts to blue file
> names. (the words are blue, no boxes, or anything else, just blue)
>
> I have NO idea what that means, and I am sure I did not mean to do
> it.
>
> Could someone please tell me how to UN do it.

Likely means they are compressed. Sounds like you compressed your hard disk
drive and/or have enabled compression so that files that are not frequently
accessed end up compressed. Google for Windows XP Compressed files.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
Back to top
Login to vote
philo

External


Since: Mar 05, 2004
Posts: 2328



(Msg. 4) Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:19 pm
Post subject: Re: File name color change [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

"JacMac" <JacMac DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5247FECF-1C4D-4097-A554-99BCD491197C@microsoft.com...
> somehow I have changed all of desktop program file names as well as all my
> "my documents" folders for all my user accounts to blue file names. (the
> words are blue, no boxes, or anything else, just blue)
>
> I have NO idea what that means, and I am sure I did not mean to do it.
>
> Could someone please tell me how to UN do it.
>
> Thanks!


As the others have mentioned, the files are compressed
but it's nothing to worry about.

NT-based systems compress files individually
and it's not a potentially dangerous procedure as compared to compressing a
fat16 drive
Back to top
Login to vote
JS

External


Since: Jun 11, 2006
Posts: 4147



(Msg. 5) Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:30 pm
Post subject: Re: File name color change [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

Windows compresses files and folders (NTFS partition) that are not accessed
very often, explorer shows these files/folders in blue.

For turning drive compression ON or OFF:
Right click on the drive letter and select 'Properties'
In the drive properties window, down near bottom is a box to enable
or disable drive compression.

Compression can also be turned on or off on a folder by folder basis.
Just select a folder, right click and select Properties, General Tab,
Advanced Button.
In the Advanced Attributes window you will find the Compress options near
the bottom. Check or Un-check the Compress contents option.

Also when in Explorer select:
Tools, Folder Options, View, Advanced settings to see options related to
colors.

How To Use File Compression in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307987

JS
http://www.pagestart.com


"JacMac" <JacMac.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5247FECF-1C4D-4097-A554-99BCD491197C@microsoft.com...
> somehow I have changed all of desktop program file names as well as all my
> "my documents" folders for all my user accounts to blue file names. (the
> words are blue, no boxes, or anything else, just blue)
>
> I have NO idea what that means, and I am sure I did not mean to do it.
>
> Could someone please tell me how to UN do it.
>
> Thanks!
Back to top
Login to vote
Twayne

External


Since: Feb 27, 2008
Posts: 885



(Msg. 6) Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:51 am
Post subject: Re: File name color change [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

> somehow I have changed all of desktop program file names as well as
> all my "my documents" folders for all my user accounts to blue file
> names. (the words are blue, no boxes, or anything else, just blue)
>
> I have NO idea what that means, and I am sure I did not mean to do it.
>
> Could someone please tell me how to UN do it.
>
> Thanks!

Right click the file or folder, choose Properties, remove the tick from
the Compression box.
Pick a top level fold and it'll offer to change everything else under
it, too. Sounds like maybe compression got turned on instead of
managing the Archive bit, which is right below the Compression tick, and
did so from the root directory, then said Yes to applying it to all
files & folders.

HTH
Back to top
Login to vote
Bruce Chambers

External


Since: Jun 26, 2005
Posts: 8185



(Msg. 7) Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:53 pm
Post subject: Re: File name color change [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

JacMac wrote:
> somehow I have changed all of desktop program file names as well as all my
> "my documents" folders for all my user accounts to blue file names. (the
> words are blue, no boxes, or anything else, just blue)
>
> I have NO idea what that means, and I am sure I did not mean to do it.
>
> Could someone please tell me how to UN do it.
>
> Thanks!


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.

From your description, thought, it sounds like you may have
unintentionally elected to compress the entire drive or partition.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
Back to top
Login to vote
Display posts from previous:   
       Home -> Windows -> Basics All times are: Eastern Time (US & Canada) (change)
Page 1 of 1

 
You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You can edit your posts in this forum
You can delete your posts in this forum
You can vote in polls in this forum
Categories:
  Windows XP
 Windows Vista
 Windows Other
 Office
 Office Other
 Security
 WinRAR
  • Home |
  • Shareware |
  • Windows Tips |
  • Hot Offers |
  • FREE Newsletters |
  • Arcade |
  • Forums |
  • eBooks |
  • About WUGNET |
  • Partners |
  • Contact

  • WUGNET Privacy Policy |
  • Link to WUGNET