Show Compressed File Color in Windows Registry

In Windows, NTFS compressed files and folders are highlighted with blue text by default to distinguish them from standard uncompressed items. This visual indicator is controlled directly by a specific DWORD value within the Windows Registry named ShowCompColor. Modifying this entry allows you to enable or disable the colored text for both compressed (blue) and encrypted (green) files without navigating through the File Explorer options menu.

The Registry Key and Value

The behavior is controlled by the following registry configuration:

• Registry Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
• Value Name: ShowCompColor
• Value Type: REG_DWORD (32-bit Value)
• Value Data:
  • 1 = Enabled (Compressed file names appear in blue, encrypted file names appear in green)
  • 0 = Disabled (Compressed and encrypted file names appear in the default text color)

How to Modify the Setting in Regedit

1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the following path:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

3. In the right pane, locate the ShowCompColor entry. If it does not exist, right-click an empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it ShowCompColor.

4. Double-click ShowCompColor to edit its value:

   • Set the Value data to 1 to display compressed files in blue.
   • Set the Value data to 0 to remove the color highlighting.

5. Click OK to save the changes.

Applying the Changes

For the changes to take effect immediately, restart Windows Explorer:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Locate Windows Explorer in the Processes tab.
3. Right-click it and select Restart.