How to Show Encrypted NTFS Files in Color
Showing encrypted NTFS (New Technology File System, a file system Windows uses to store and find files) files in green inside File Explorer helps you spot secure data fast. The Encrypted File System (EFS, a built-in Windows tool that protects your files from other users) builds security straight into Windows 10 and Windows 11 without needing extra apps.
Compressed files turn blue to save space, while encrypted files stay green to flag hidden locks. You can turn on this color setting in a few quick clicks through your folder settings.
Enable the “Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color” option in File Explorer ’s Folder Options. Navigate to View tab, check the box, and click OK. This visually distinguishes encrypted (green) and compressed (blue) files.
How to Show Encrypted NTFS Files in Color
You can show encrypted NTFS files in color by changing a quick setting in File Explorer . This color coding helps you spot protected files and folders at a glance without having to check the properties of each item. To turn it on, open File Explorer, go to the folder options menu, and check the box for encrypted items.
- Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon or pressing Win+E.
- Click the three-dot menu icon at the top and select Options.
- Click the View tab.
- Find Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color in the list.
- Check the box and click OK.
Advanced Configuration: Registry Editor
Registry Editor lets you force the setting to show encrypted NTFS files in color using the system registry. This method requires administrator access and careful steps to avoid system errors, so proceed with caution. You need to locate the correct registry key and change the value data to enable the colored text feature across your user account.
Administrator privileges are required to change system-level settings when forcing the encrypted NTFS file color setting through the Registry Editor.
The ShowEncryptCompressedColor value controls whether encrypted NTFS files display in color. Setting this value to 1 turns the feature on, making encrypted files visually distinct. Setting the ShowEncryptCompressedColor value to 0 turns the feature off.
Enterprise Deployment via Group Policy
System administrators can deploy this setting across a network. Group Policy Preferences configure the registry key mentioned above for all users in a domain, ensuring consistent visual indicators across an organization.
Summary
Showing encrypted NTFS files in color helps identify which files feature security through encryption or compression.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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