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Files coloured blue in Explorer

A

Alain Dekker

Flightless Bird
I've got a folder containing a bunch of ZIP files. When I view the list of
files in Windows Explorer, the name of the file (and attributes like "Size"
when viewed in Details view) are coloured blue in Explorer, some black.
Usually all files are coloured black when I view them in Explorer. This is
true in all the possible view styles (Thumbnail, List, etc).

I've tried working out why by looking at the properties of the files, but
they all look similar. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Alain
 
G

Gordon

Flightless Bird
"Alain Dekker" <alain.dekker@NO.SPAM.loma.com> wrote in message
news:#Vxie7TtKHA.4220@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> I've got a folder containing a bunch of ZIP files. When I view the list of
> files in Windows Explorer, the name of the file (and attributes like
> "Size" when viewed in Details view) are coloured blue in Explorer, some
> black. Usually all files are coloured black when I view them in Explorer.
> This is true in all the possible view styles (Thumbnail, List, etc).
>
> I've tried working out why by looking at the properties of the files, but
> they all look similar. Any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Alain
>

The blue files have been compressed.
 
J

John Inzer

Flightless Bird
Alain Dekker wrote:
> I've got a folder containing a bunch of ZIP files. When I view the
> list of files in Windows Explorer, the name of the file (and
> attributes like "Size" when viewed in Details view) are coloured blue
> in Explorer, some black. Usually all files are coloured black when I
> view them in Explorer. This is true in all the possible view styles
> (Thumbnail, List, etc).
> I've tried working out why by looking at the properties of the files,
> but they all look similar. Any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Alain
=================================
As Gordon stated...
"The blue files have been compressed".

If you right click one of the blue files and go to...
Properties / General tab / Advanced button...
you will find a checkmark in the
"Compress contents to save disk space" box.

--

J. Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk
 
B

Bob I

Flightless Bird
Windows Explorer, Tools, Folder Options, View, Show encrypted or
compressed NTFS files in color. Toggle to suite preference.

Alain Dekker wrote:

> I've got a folder containing a bunch of ZIP files. When I view the list of
> files in Windows Explorer, the name of the file (and attributes like "Size"
> when viewed in Details view) are coloured blue in Explorer, some black.
> Usually all files are coloured black when I view them in Explorer. This is
> true in all the possible view styles (Thumbnail, List, etc).
>
> I've tried working out why by looking at the properties of the files, but
> they all look similar. Any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Alain
>
>
 
J

Jim

Flightless Bird
On Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:48:13 -0000, "Alain Dekker"
<alain.dekker@NO.SPAM.loma.com> wrote:

>I've got a folder containing a bunch of ZIP files. When I view the list of
>files in Windows Explorer, the name of the file (and attributes like "Size"
>when viewed in Details view) are coloured blue in Explorer, some black.
>Usually all files are coloured black when I view them in Explorer. This is
>true in all the possible view styles (Thumbnail, List, etc).
>
>I've tried working out why by looking at the properties of the files, but
>they all look similar. Any ideas?
>
>Thanks,
>Alain
>

Blue = zipped ; black = non-zipped .
 
U

Unknown

Flightless Bird
Don't you really mean 'compressed'?
"Jim" <bojimbo261@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:8ddao51g4eu4jfcnml89jdlu3jtkle5f3f@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:48:13 -0000, "Alain Dekker"
> <alain.dekker@NO.SPAM.loma.com> wrote:
>
>>I've got a folder containing a bunch of ZIP files. When I view the list of
>>files in Windows Explorer, the name of the file (and attributes like
>>"Size"
>>when viewed in Details view) are coloured blue in Explorer, some black.
>>Usually all files are coloured black when I view them in Explorer. This is
>>true in all the possible view styles (Thumbnail, List, etc).
>>
>>I've tried working out why by looking at the properties of the files, but
>>they all look similar. Any ideas?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Alain
>>
>
> Blue = zipped ; black = non-zipped .
 
T

Twayne

Flightless Bird
IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .

A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not necessarily zipped
as there are other methods for compressing file sizes. In the case of XP,
with it compresses, it creates a zipped file.

HTH,

Twayne




"Unknown" <unknown@unknown.kom> wrote in message
news:uKYFijWtKHA.4428@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Don't you really mean 'compressed'?
> "Jim" <bojimbo261@googlemail.com> wrote in message
> news:8ddao51g4eu4jfcnml89jdlu3jtkle5f3f@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:48:13 -0000, "Alain Dekker"
>> <alain.dekker@NO.SPAM.loma.com> wrote:
>>
>>>I've got a folder containing a bunch of ZIP files. When I view the list
>>>of
>>>files in Windows Explorer, the name of the file (and attributes like
>>>"Size"
>>>when viewed in Details view) are coloured blue in Explorer, some black.
>>>Usually all files are coloured black when I view them in Explorer. This
>>>is
>>>true in all the possible view styles (Thumbnail, List, etc).
>>>
>>>I've tried working out why by looking at the properties of the files, but
>>>they all look similar. Any ideas?
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Alain
>>>
>>
>> Blue = zipped ; black = non-zipped .
>
>
 
T

Tim Slattery

Flightless Bird
"Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:

>IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>
>A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not necessarily zipped
>as there are other methods for compressing file sizes. In the case of XP,
>with it compresses, it creates a zipped file.

I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
doesn't take as long to do or to undo.

WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
it's a totally different thing.

--
Tim Slattery
Slattery_T@bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 
U

Unknown

Flightless Bird
Well said Tim. That was my belief also.
"Tim Slattery" <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote in message
news:6eoao5h110aceg6vu58t7iv4uioro6m9m4@4ax.com...
> "Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:
>
>>IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>>
>>A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not necessarily
>>zipped
>>as there are other methods for compressing file sizes. In the case of XP,
>>with it compresses, it creates a zipped file.
>
> I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
> compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
> that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
> doesn't take as long to do or to undo.
>
> WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
> it's a totally different thing.
>
> --
> Tim Slattery
> Slattery_T@bls.gov
> http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 
J

joe

Flightless Bird
Does the OS do this automatically and if so under what circumstances ?

"Tim Slattery" <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote in message
news:6eoao5h110aceg6vu58t7iv4uioro6m9m4@4ax.com...
> "Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:
>
>>IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>>
>>A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not necessarily
>>zipped
>>as there are other methods for compressing file sizes. In the case of XP,
>>with it compresses, it creates a zipped file.
>
> I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
> compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
> that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
> doesn't take as long to do or to undo.
>
> WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
> it's a totally different thing.
>
> --
> Tim Slattery
> Slattery_T@bls.gov
> http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 
T

Tim Slattery

Flightless Bird
"joe" <joe@ebox.com> wrote:

>Does the OS do this automatically and if so under what circumstances ?

You can tell it to compress or not compress files or directories
(Right-click|Properties|General|Advanced...). And I believe it will
automatically compress files and folders that are infrequently
accessed.

--
Tim Slattery
Slattery_T@bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 
B

Bob I

Flightless Bird
Yes if you run disk cleanup (see below)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_Cleanup

joe wrote:

> Does the OS do this automatically and if so under what circumstances ?
>
> "Tim Slattery" <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote in message
> news:6eoao5h110aceg6vu58t7iv4uioro6m9m4@4ax.com...
>
>>"Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>>>
>>>A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not necessarily
>>>zipped
>>>as there are other methods for compressing file sizes. In the case of XP,
>>>with it compresses, it creates a zipped file.
>>
>>I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
>>compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
>>that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
>>doesn't take as long to do or to undo.
>>
>>WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
>>it's a totally different thing.
>>
>>--
>>Tim Slattery
>>Slattery_T@bls.gov
>>http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
>
>
>
 
J

joe

Flightless Bird
Thanks Bob and Tim. I was not aware of this and both of those situations
apply to me.
i.e. There are files which are infrequently accessed and I use 'disk
cleanup' all the time.
You learn something new every day :)


"Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:uj1GrOitKHA.4220@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Yes if you run disk cleanup (see below)
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_Cleanup
>
> joe wrote:
>
>> Does the OS do this automatically and if so under what circumstances ?
>>
>> "Tim Slattery" <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote in message
>> news:6eoao5h110aceg6vu58t7iv4uioro6m9m4@4ax.com...
>>
>>>"Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>>>>
>>>>A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not necessarily
>>>>zipped
>>>>as there are other methods for compressing file sizes. In the case of
>>>>XP,
>>>>with it compresses, it creates a zipped file.
>>>
>>>I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
>>>compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
>>>that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
>>>doesn't take as long to do or to undo.
>>>
>>>WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
>>>it's a totally different thing.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Tim Slattery
>>>Slattery_T@bls.gov
>>>http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
>>
>>
>>
>
 
T

Twayne

Flightless Bird
In news:6eoao5h110aceg6vu58t7iv4uioro6m9m4@4ax.com,
Tim Slattery <Slattery_T@bls.gov> typed:
> "Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:
>
>> IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>>
>> A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not
>> necessarily zipped as there are other methods for compressing file
>> sizes. In the case of XP, with it compresses, it creates a zipped
>> file.
>
> I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
> compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
> that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
> doesn't take as long to do or to undo.
>
> WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
> it's a totally different thing.

If you check, you'll find the blue is zipped/compressed files and green is
encrypted files. You can set/adjust these from the Properties menu for each
file you right click Properties and choose Advanced for.
Try it and see; You'll find that: Blue *IS* zip compression for XP NTFS
drives. Compress or encrypt a file and see what color it changes to. The
color indicator can also be turned off so they all display in black is so
desired.

In the future, please be more sure of your responses before becoming
emphatic.

HTH,

Twayne




--
--
Life is the only real counselor; wisdom unfiltered
through personal experience does not become a
part of the moral tissue.
 
T

Twayne

Flightless Bird
In news:uWtdfYYtKHA.3656@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl,
Unknown <unknown@unknown.kom> typed:
> Well said Tim. That was my belief also.

You're in error with your belief. It's easy enough to check out; try it.

HTH,

Twayne



> "Tim Slattery" <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote in message
> news:6eoao5h110aceg6vu58t7iv4uioro6m9m4@4ax.com...
>> "Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:
>>
>>> IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>>>
>>> A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not
>>> necessarily zipped
>>> as there are other methods for compressing file sizes. In the case
>>> of XP, with it compresses, it creates a zipped file.
>>
>> I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
>> compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
>> that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
>> doesn't take as long to do or to undo.
>>
>> WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
>> it's a totally different thing.
>>
>> --
>> Tim Slattery
>> Slattery_T@bls.gov
>> http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 
T

Twayne

Flightless Bird
Select a filename in win explorer;
right click it and choose Properties.
Click Advanced in the File Attributes area.
Notice you can set archive bit, compress the file, or encrypt the file
from there.
Click to Compress the file and OK/close your way out.
You might have to close/open explorer once in order to update so you can
see the change, but the filename will have turned to blue text as long as
you haven't turned off the colored display in Options. If instead you
encrypted a file, the filename would have turned green.
Caveat: You can't encrypt a file that has been compressed. I don't know
why but that's the rule.
Also, XP-compressed files are only compressed while on the disk; they are
uncompressed as they are read from the drive, before they get to memory.
With encryption, the only account that can view the files there of course
are the account that created the encryption.

HTH,

Twayne





In news:ukrYJWetKHA.3904@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl,
joe <joe@ebox.com> typed:
> Does the OS do this automatically and if so under what circumstances ?
>
> "Tim Slattery" <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote in message
> news:6eoao5h110aceg6vu58t7iv4uioro6m9m4@4ax.com...
>> "Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:
>>
>>> IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>>>
>>> A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not
>>> necessarily zipped
>>> as there are other methods for compressing file sizes. In the case
>>> of XP, with it compresses, it creates a zipped file.
>>
>> I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
>> compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
>> that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
>> doesn't take as long to do or to undo.
>>
>> WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
>> it's a totally different thing.
>>
>> --
>> Tim Slattery
>> Slattery_T@bls.gov
>> http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 
T

Twayne

Flightless Bird
In news:3k0do5ps9qsr9g649jcvnri92ln7d9up2m@4ax.com,
Tim Slattery <Slattery_T@bls.gov> typed:
> "joe" <joe@ebox.com> wrote:
>
>> Does the OS do this automatically and if so under what circumstances
>> ?
>
> You can tell it to compress or not compress files or directories
> (Right-click|Properties|General|Advanced...). And I believe it will
> automatically compress files and folders that are infrequently
> accessed.

No, you can only compress the files/folders in that limb of the tree that
way. To get infrequently used files compressed, use the Options settings so
it applies to all folders on the drive.

HTH,

Twayne




--
--
Life is the only real counselor; wisdom unfiltered
through personal experience does not become a
part of the moral tissue.
 
U

Unknown

Flightless Bird
Take a blue colored .ini file. It isn't unzipped. It is opened by Notepad.
Try it.
"Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:-Ox4G4gltKHA.4636@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> In news:uWtdfYYtKHA.3656@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl,
> Unknown <unknown@unknown.kom> typed:
>> Well said Tim. That was my belief also.
>
> You're in error with your belief. It's easy enough to check out; try it.
>
> HTH,
>
> Twayne
>
>
>
>> "Tim Slattery" <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote in message
>> news:6eoao5h110aceg6vu58t7iv4uioro6m9m4@4ax.com...
>>> "Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>>>>
>>>> A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not
>>>> necessarily zipped
>>>> as there are other methods for compressing file sizes. In the case
>>>> of XP, with it compresses, it creates a zipped file.
>>>
>>> I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
>>> compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
>>> that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
>>> doesn't take as long to do or to undo.
>>>
>>> WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
>>> it's a totally different thing.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Tim Slattery
>>> Slattery_T@bls.gov
>>> http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
>
>
 
U

Unknown

Flightless Bird
I selected a file. The attribute compress is NOT checked. Yet the file name
is in blue.
I still think you are mistaken. It is not zipped but is compressed.
"Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:-OVZuTgltKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> In news:6eoao5h110aceg6vu58t7iv4uioro6m9m4@4ax.com,
> Tim Slattery <Slattery_T@bls.gov> typed:
>> "Twayne" <nobody@spamcop.net> wrote:
>>
>>> IN XP's case, zip = compressed = zipped ... .
>>>
>>> A zipped file is compressed, but a compressed file is not
>>> necessarily zipped as there are other methods for compressing file
>>> sizes. In the case of XP, with it compresses, it creates a zipped
>>> file.
>>
>> I don't think so. A file whose name is shown in blue has been
>> compressed by the OS. This is *not* zip compression, it's something
>> that the Windows OS does. It's not as drastic as zip, therefore
>> doesn't take as long to do or to undo.
>>
>> WinXP also has built-in support for zipping and unzipping files but
>> it's a totally different thing.
>
> If you check, you'll find the blue is zipped/compressed files and green is
> encrypted files. You can set/adjust these from the Properties menu for
> each file you right click Properties and choose Advanced for.
> Try it and see; You'll find that: Blue *IS* zip compression for XP NTFS
> drives. Compress or encrypt a file and see what color it changes to. The
> color indicator can also be turned off so they all display in black is so
> desired.
>
> In the future, please be more sure of your responses before becoming
> emphatic.
>
> HTH,
>
> Twayne
>
>
>
>
> --
> --
> Life is the only real counselor; wisdom unfiltered
> through personal experience does not become a
> part of the moral tissue.
 
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