Change the Color of Compressed Files and Folders (Windows NT/2000/XP)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Change the Color of Compressed Files and Folders (Windows NT/2000/XP)
Category: Home > Windows > Appearance

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When a file is compressed in Windows there is an option in Explorer to display it in a different color to easily distinguish them. This setting defines what color to use, the default is blue.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new binary value, or modify the existing value, named "AltColor" and set it to equal the hexadecimal RGB color value for the files and folders.

Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Note: The option to "Display compressed files and folders with alternate color" must be enabled in explorer.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
AltColor	REG_BINARY	00 00 ff 00


	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Settings:

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
Name: AltColor
Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value)
Value: 00 00 ff 00 (default)

Related Tweaks

Change the Color of Encrypted Files (Windows XP)

Show Compressed Files in an Alternate Color (Windows NT/2000/XP)

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: August 19, 2002

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