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I am viewing a network share where some filenames are in blue instead of black. I am using Windows 7.

This question mentions green filenames, which indicates encrypted file.

What does a blue filename indicate?

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1 Answer 1

Reset to default
18

It is blue because that means it is compressed with NTFS compression.

As a note, although I am not sure why anyone would do this, this can be turned off by opening Computer, holding down the ALT key, and going to Tools>Folder Options>View and unchecking "Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color".

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3
  • Not usually, always. Blue entries in Explorer indicate that the NTFS compression attribute is set on the file or folder.
    – afrazier
    Jun 24, 2011 at 15:21
  • @afrazier That "always" was someone else's edit. I agree with you and will re-edit it.
    – KCotreau
    Jun 24, 2011 at 15:26
  • I don't know why Windows 10 turns off this feature by default unlike previous versions. I always have to turn it on manually
    – phuclv
    Jun 12, 2018 at 14:17

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