Setting PCs to show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color simplifies your workflow and makes protected documents easier to distinguish, marking encrypted and compressed file names green and blue, respectively. Alternatively, you could disable it for uniformity and a more professional user interface.
This comprehensive guide explains how to manage displaying compressed NTFS files in color for individual and system-wide deployment, plus related topics.
How to enable or disable showing encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color
Method 1: Enable or disable via folder options (GUI)
The simplest way to add or remove color on NTFS files is by accessing the workstation’s folder options.
- Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
- Click the File tab on the upper left.
- Select Change folder and search options.
- Go to the View tab.
- Under Advanced settings, scroll down to find Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color.
- Check the box to show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color.
- Uncheck the box to remove color from encrypted/compressed files and folder names.
- Press OK.
Method 2: Enable or disable via Registry Editor
This process can be leveraged by IT support staff to automate processes across several PCs in relevant departments.
⚠️This method involves changing Registry values. Before you proceed, create a system restore backup.
- Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
- If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.
- Using the Registry Editor’s address bar, enter the following directory:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
- Double-click ShowEncryptCompressedColor to modify its value.
- Type 1 to show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color.
- Type 0 to disable NTFS file/folder names in color.
- Restart the PC to apply changes.
Requirements to show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color
- Windows 10 operating system: Color customization for NTFS files is supported on Windows 10 version 1709 or later.
- Administrator privileges (for registry modifications): Admin rights are needed to change system preferences on a computer. This is especially true with the Registry Editor, which configures low-level settings.
- Familiarity with system settings and configuration tools: Already having experience navigating Windows Explorer settings and the Windows Registry improves the likelihood of smooth customization.
Considerations for enterprise deployment
Keep these pointers in mind before you decide to implement the change across your organization.
Group Policy Preferences
Group Policy Preferences (GPP) is a group of extensions that allow you to see, configure, and deploy particular PC settings, like folder options that show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color, via Group Policy Objects (GPO).
This makes GPP (along with relevant scripts) the ideal tool for distributing folder setting changes across your enterprise.
Prioritize user experience
While it’s a simple quality-of-life change, being able to show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color helps your specialists resolve document-related tickets much faster. With that in mind, you also have to take into consideration what your users need in their day-to-day.
Visual cues are a huge help, especially when it comes to data security. This small but useful customization could benefit cybersecurity teams, your Security Operations Center (SOC), and even the entire IT department. Target these environments first, or remove the colors for UI uniformity.
🛑| Fully manage tailored policies on end-user PCs to adapt to any scenario.
Read NinjaOne’s guide on how to apply local group policies to specific users.
Test before deploying changes system-wide
Large-scale patches can conflict with preexisting policies, potentially disrupting your operations. Take the smart approach and test your code first to ensure nothing compromises your company’s workflows.
Select a small, representative group of users or computers for testing, create your test GPO, and use item-level targeting. And once you work out the kinks, you’ll be more confident deploying it system-wide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When a file is encrypted, what color does the file name appear in Windows Explorer?
A: Encrypted Windows 10 files/folder appear in Green when the Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color is enabled in Folder options.
Q: How do I know if my files are encrypted?
A: Right-click on the file, select Properties, and go to the General tab. Click the Advanced button. If the Encrypt contents to secure data box is checked, the file is encrypted.
Q: How do I enable color coding for encrypted or compressed NTFS files?
A: Do the following:
- Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
- Click the File tab on the upper left.
- Select Change folder and search options.
- Go to the View tab.
- Under Advanced settings, scroll down to find Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color.
- Check the box to show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color.
- Uncheck the box to remove color from encrypted/compressed files and folder names.
- Press OK.
Q: Does enabling color coding for NTFS files affect performance?
A: It doesn’t significantly impact system performance. The resources it uses are negligible, especially on modern systems.
Q: Can I have both compression and encryption on the same NTFS file?
A: No, you can’t have a compressed and encrypted NTFS file, as one state would overrule and replace the other.
Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color for enhanced awareness
Displaying NTFS files and folders with colors improves file management by distinguishing compressed documents from encrypted ones at a glance. Moreover, the process to enable/disable this option is simple, has minimal overhead, and is easily deployed.
Improving usability can also lead to higher productivity levels since it effectively lets you skip the steps to normally check for compressed/encrypted files on navigation panes. This level of control can also help with employee satisfaction in departments that frequently deal with NTFS files, facilitating everyday tasks.
