I recently noticed some of my file names are in blue. This worries me slightly as they were not blue before. I looked around for new virus alerts but found none. Anyone know why some of these file names are blue? Thanks

Unless you've changed your file-color, the blue color denotes the files are compressed--nothing more. Seems hard to believe they were not blue before if they are now. Sure you didn't just notice the color before? If they really weren't blue before, you must have compressed them, intentionally or inadvertently.

gee thanks for answering that i was wondering why some of my files were named in blue too as to how it happens if you've received a "low disk space "warning and then followed the prompts to clean out the cookies and recycle bin you may have also allowed some other files to be compressed as that is another option what are the reasons you wouldn't want all files compressed, anyone? eric e

Yes, that's one way it can happen; another way is if you are a bit careless in running the disk cleanup utility with the compress old files option checked. As to your last point, for whatever it's worth, I simply don't trust the processes of compression and decompression to leave files in the same shape as they are without going through that cycle. The multitude of posts on this board and elsewhere concerning corrupted and missing files persuades me that we all have our hands full in keeping our machines working properly without subjecting them to what seems to be an unnecssary process. True, compressing files saves HDD space, to which I say get yourself a large enough hard drive(s); as with RAM, their prices have fallen significantly compared with what they were years ago. If I really need the HD space and have no other option, I would rather off-load old or seldom-used files onto reliable, durable removable media before compressing them. But that's me; others may have different views.

You can un-compress the files by right clicking on the file, select properties & then advanced.