[Fix] Some File and Folder Names Showing in Blue or Green Color in Windows Explorer

Recently we received following email from an AskVG reader:

Hi VG

Recently I noticed that some files and folders names are showing in blue and green color in Windows Explorer. It seems all files and folders names are turning into either blue or green color. I think my system is infected with a virus.

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Can you please provide a solution? Is it really a virus infection?

Thanks.

No. Its not a virus infection. Actually its a feature of NTFS file system in Windows. Windows automatically compresses a few files and folders to save space on your hard disk and when a file or folder gets compressed, Windows shows its name in blue color to make them easier to identify.

Similarly an encrypted file or folder name is shown in green color.

Take a look at following screenshot:

File_Folder_Names_Blue_Color_Windows_Explorer.png

In above screenshot, Test 1 and Test 3 folders are compressed whereas Test 2 folder is encrypted that’s why Test 1 and Test 3 folders names are showing in blue color but Test 2 folder name is showing in green color. Same theory applies to Test 1.txt and Test 2.txt files. Test 1.txt file is neither encrypted nor compressed, that’s why its name is showing in default black color but Test 2.txt file is compressed, that’s why its name is showing in blue color.

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If you don’t want to show compressed or encrypted file or folder names in different color, you can disable this feature using following simple steps:

1. Open Windows Explorer, click on Organize -> Folder and search options in command bar. Windows XP users will need to click on Tools -> Folder Options.

2. It’ll open Folder Options window. Now go to “View” tab.

3. Now look for an option “Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color“. It would be enabled by default.

Show_Encrypted_Compressed_File_Folder_Name_Blue_Color.png

You just need to disable that option by unchecking the chechbox and applying the changes.

4. That’s it. Now Windows will not show compressed or encrypted files or folders names in blue or green color.

If you don’t want to disable the above mentioned option, but want to show your desired file or folder name in default black color, you can right-click on the file or folder which is having its name in blue or green color and select Properties. Now click on “Advanced” button given near file attributes checkboxes. It’ll open Advanced Attributes window.

Disable_Encrypt_Compress_File_Folder_Option.png

Now disable both “Compress contents to save disk space” and “Encrypt contents to secure data” options and click on OK button.

That’s it. Once you disable both options, Windows will not show that file or folder name in different color.

Do you manually compress or encrypt a file or folder using this built-in Windows feature or do you use a 3rd party utility for it?

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

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  1. I am getting an access denied message, even after trying to take ownership of the file. This is a pain

  2. Thanks Buddy It’s nice information πŸ˜‰

    When i copying some file into lappy to pc that time i by mistake click all folder to encrypted files etc,. if your file in encrypted & compressed files than copying very slowly :3

    Thanks Buddy It’s nice information πŸ˜‰
    It work in my Win 7 Os

  3. Hi I recently reformatted my laptop from windows 8 to windows 8.1.
    Before reformatting I backed up folders and files onto my external drive. Whilst doing so I forgot that most folders and files were encrypted using the normal encryption windows uses (right click on folder>properties>advanced>advanced attributes>ticked the “Encrypt contents to secure data”)
    Now that I have done the reformat I cannot open any of those files and I have tried giving it full access permission but I always get the error message saying access denied (see screenshot attached)
    Could anyone advise me on how to proceed ? This is really annoying and I am talking about 76.8 GB of files here including pictures, documents, films etc.
    Thanks !

    I have tried to “take control” and give myself full access following steps you have set up here : https://www.askvg.com/guide-how-to-take-ownership-permission-of-a-file-or-folder-manually-in-windows/

    But still doesn’t work. My files are still in green and cannot open or copy them to my pc from the external. Also I have a “Windows” folder on my Local Disk (C:). Is there a chance that the key required is in there somewhere ? Thanks for your help !

  4. ^^ Sorry to say but its not possible to recover those files now. There are some 3rd party software and methods available which claim to recover those files but they never work. Afaik its not possible.

  5. I am using encryption for the OneDrive folder, so that noone accessing my PC harddrive can access OneDrive locally (with the exception of a boot CD, really :)) ). Compression I don’t use, since I never get to actually need it.

  6. how can i solve this problem my data files are turened into green colour ,,i cant to open this files how can i open those files ,,,thats are vry important file give a solutions plz,,,
    thanking u

  7. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ENLIGHTENING ME AS TO THE BLUE AND GREEN FILES. I WAS AFRAID I HAD A BAD VIRUS, AND OTHER REGULAR PC USERS WERE MORE SCARED THAN WAS I !! YOU TOOK A STRAIN OFF MY BRAIN !!

  8. hi i was looking on to find out wat it ment when your folders are blue name and after looking and read some of them on here i now know and find other usefull information of too

  9. my system have windows xp sp3. i format my system after that some folder show in green color and its content not opening.
    please provide me proper solution if any.

  10. hi Now disable both “Compress contents to save disk space” and “Encrypt contents to secure data” options and click on OK button.
    then massage shown ” ACCESS DENIED ” you will need provide administrator permission to change these attributes.

  11. I change the folder name and now I cant open it….in security current user not available…nd icant change anything in it.

  12. Dear VG

    excellent explanation. due to compression, i was not able run few video file in my LED. Great. thanks buddy.

  13. Hi

    I tried all what you recommended above, I took a back up from X1 carbon Lenovo Thinkpad, to WD Hdd, the encrypted files are green I tried to use it or copy on my desktop.

    please try to answer this ASAP

  14. Please help me ! After these steps when i disable “Encrypt contents to secure data” options and click on OK button it shows ” you need to provide administrator permission to change in these attribute

  15. Dear Sir,
    Thank you for your great answer. I thought those folders were virus effected.

    Thanks for great post!

  16. Ingore; Ignore All; Try again)
    i have done try again but than nothing happens
    what to do..???
    plz help me..

  17. It really worked.
    my all folders & files SHOWN AS GREEN COLOURED and not opening after clicking on them, now they opens with single clicks. (Using WIN 7 – 32 Bit)
    Thanks..

  18. Hi
    My pc files became green and now the files won’t open
    How can I fix it ..
    Please answer I need your help….

  19. ^^ You’ll need to disable the compress and encrypt options from the file properties as mentioned at the end of the tutorial.

  20. SIR,

    I have formatted the laptop.Then green color file and folder cannot open.after format the lap files and folder can i opend.Finally now files and folder cannot open.plz can u tell any source

    Thanking you

  21. thank you for guide me for
    i am long time to search the solution of
    folder name blue color i was lot of time find solution of this
    problem but today on your site can helping for me
    thank you for support

  22. I would like to post this question: Why is it that when I save to, or move, files to my desktop; the file names turn to a green color? I realize that the green represents an encrypted file but I DO Not knowingly encrypt any of these files. Also; even though they are green, they open for me with no problem. **How and why are these files supposedly being encrypted?**
    I’m sorry if this question is not posted in the correct location. Thank you.

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