Windows explorer shows some files in blue ....

[Hustler]

... but mostly they are listed in black.
The only long shot guess as to the reason for this is that I was trying to save some space last month and some files may have been compressed but that could be a total herring rouge.
Blue files and black files can all be accessed correctly.
I just wondered why really.
Thank you kindly.

 

[Redboots]

Blue files and black files can all be accessed correctly.
I just wondered why really.

They are normally files with the HIDDEN attribute bit set, that you can see because you have changed the folder view settings to allow this.

John

 

[freeloader]

Are you sure about that? Mine turned blue when I compressed them (Win XP, if that's relevant).

You could try compressing or decompressing a single file and watch the way its colour behaves.

 

[Hustler]

Thank you people.
Using a combination of both of your comments it seems that -
Tools > Folder options > Show encrypted or compressed files in colour.
Turn it off and a few of the files go back to being listed in black.
Leave it on and they are listed in blue.
Easy when you get a couple of hints and tips.
Thanks again, appreciated.