Windows 7: How to change individual file name font to bold or color to stand out?

I have certain files and folders that I would like to distinguish from others, without creating a new folder. (I have enough folders as it is.)

Is there a way to make individual file name fonts look different than others (bold, color, italics, etc)?

I would prefer not to use a 3rd party file manager.

Thank You...

PS: I read that if a file is compressed, the file name turns blue. If it is not possible to do what I am asking above, is there any downside to compressing the files I wish to distinguish, so their file names will turn blue?

You can compress individual files to turn their name blue, yes. There would be no downside. Windows compression is a lossless compression. However, if you change the file, it will likely become decompressed again.

Compress a Folder or File


Right click on the file you want to change and choose Properties> On the Properties menu, choose Advanced



On the Advanced Menu choose Compress contents to save disk space> Click OK



Click on Apply on the Properties screen



The file name will be blue now.

A Guy

Thanks for the detailed response A Guy. Sounds like this is my only option, but not a bad one.

I gave it a try, and changing the document didn't uncompress it, so this should work fairly well for my needs. (Tested on an XP machine for convenience. I'll assume it's the same for Windows 7)

Thanks again... Mitch (Owner of 2 Golden Retrievers)

You're welcome. There may be some 3rd party program out there to do something similar, but not that I am aware of. A Guy

This 3rd party file manager does it, but it entirely replaces Windows Explorer. A bit radical, just to change font colors.
XYplorer - A Windows File Manager and Explorer Replacement

Update: For anyone that may be interested, I just discovered that backing up a compressed file or folder (using FBackup) uncompresses the file on the backup HDD (destination drive).