Change or Remove Compression Blue Arrows on Icons in Windows 10  

Page 1 of 8 123 ... LastLast
    Change or Remove Compression Blue Arrows on Icons in Windows 10

    Change or Remove Compression Blue Arrows on Icons in Windows 10

    Change or Remove Double Blue Arrows Icon on Compressed Files and Folders in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    18 Aug 2023
    Designer Media Ltd

    Change or Remove Double Blue Arrows Icon on Compressed Files and Folders in Windows 10


    Windows 10 supports compression for individual files and folders on NTFS volumes using NTFS compression.

    When you compress a file or folder in Windows 10, its icon will have a double blue arrows overlay at the top right corner to indicate that it's a compressed file or folder.

    If you encrypt a compressed file or folder, the file or folder will no longer be compressed afterwards.

    If you compress an EFS encrypted file or folder, the file or folder will no longer be encrypted afterwards.

    This tutorial will show you how to customize or remove the double blue arrows icon overlay on compressed files and folders for all users in Windows 10.

    You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to change or remove the double blue arrows icon overlay.

    If you have a custom 24x24 pixel .ico file you would like to share, then please feel free to upload and post it here.



    EXAMPLE: Double Blue Arrows on Icon of Compressed File or Folder
    Change or Remove Compression Blue Arrows on Icons in Windows 10-compressed_double_blue_arrows_examples.png



    Here's How:

    1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

    2 If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.

    3 In Registry Editor, browse to the key at the location below. (see screenshot below)

    If you do not have the Shell Icons key, then right click or press and hold on the Explorer key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type Shell Icons for the name, and press Enter.

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons

    Change or Remove Compression Blue Arrows on Icons in Windows 10-compressed_double_blue_arrows_registry-1.png

    4 Do step 5 (change/remove) or step 6 (default) below for what you would like to do.


    5 To Change or Remove Double Blue Arrows Icon

    Other than uncompressing the file or folder to remove the double blue arrow icon, you can customize the icon to what you like below.

    A) In the right pane of the Shell Icons key, double click/tap on the 179 string value to modify it. (see screenshot below step 3)

    If you do not have the 179 string value, then right click or press and hold on an empty area in the right pane of the Shell Icons key, click/tap on New, click/tap on String Value, type 179 for the name, and press Enter.


    B) Type in the full path of the custom .ico file you want to use, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    If you like, you can download and use a 24x24 pixel transparent.ico file here that will remove the double blue arrows icon.

    Be sure to unblock this transparent.ico file before moving it into your C:\Windows\System32 folder.

    Change or Remove Compression Blue Arrows on Icons in Windows 10-compressed_double_blue_arrows_registry-2.png


    6 To Restore Default Double Blue Arrows Icon

    A) In the right pane of the Shell Icons key, delete the 179 string value. (see screenshot below step 3)

    B) Click/tap Yes to confirm, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Change or Remove Compression Blue Arrows on Icons in Windows 10-compressed_double_blue_arrows_registry-3.png


    7 Restart the explorer process to apply.

    8 If the icon doesn't appear correctly, then rebuild the icon cache.

    9 When finished, you can close Registry Editor if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 4
    windows 10
       #1

    Thank You Shawn for this.
    So I gathered so far that Value "29" here is for removing shortcut arrows and "179" is for Compression arrows.
    now, could you find the value for yellow lock icon overlay for efs file and folders?
    it's just as much annoying as those double arrows if not more.
    much appreciated.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,663
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello Axims, and welcome to Ten Forums.

    I'll certainly see if I can. :)
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4
    windows 10
       #3

    thanks, my money's on you!

    oh and by the way, I've been with you guys since seven forums , you've been helping way more people than you'd think
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,663
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I'll try not to let you down. :)
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 68,663
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 4
    windows 10
       #6

    You're the Man, Shawn!
    many thanks, and happy new year to you too!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 68,663
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    You're most welcome. :)
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Home
       #8

    Brink, I followed the instructions of your guide to a t and now instead of blue compression arrows I have blank white pages. Did I do something wrong?

    Change or Remove Compression Blue Arrows on Icons in Windows 10-hjen2yi.png
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 68,663
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hello Drak, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    Did you use the transparent.ico in the tutorial, or a custom .ico of your own?

    Did you unblock and save either one in the C:\Windows\System32 folder?
      My Computers


 

Tutorial Categories

Change or Remove Compression Blue Arrows on Icons in Windows 10 Tutorial Index Network & Sharing Instalation and Upgrade Browsers and Email General Tips Gaming Customization Apps and Features Virtualization BSOD System Security User Accounts Hardware and Drivers Updates and Activation Backup and Restore Performance and Maintenance Mixed Reality Phone


  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 14:41.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums