> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.zeedrive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.zeedrive.com/folder-colours-not-showing.md).

# Folder Colours Not Showing

<code class="expression">space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME</code> supports colourising folders in <code class="expression">space.vars.WINDOWS\_FILE\_EXPLORER</code> from a palette of 16 colours. Colours can be used to help visually categorise folders:

<figure><img src="/files/xZd0UPHdLe0PA6cEPvgc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

See [Choose Folder Colours In File Explorer](/feature-guide/choose-folder-colours-in-file-explorer.md) for more information on the feature.

In a June 2026 security update to <code class="expression">space.vars.WINDOWS</code> 10 & 11, <code class="expression">space.vars.MICROSOFT</code> changed the behaviour of <code class="expression">space.vars.WINDOWS\_FILE\_EXPLORER</code> to restrict folder customisations on network shares.

This security update may impact <code class="expression">space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME</code> displaying coloured folders in your network drives. I.e. instead of the folders being coloured, they may show as the default yellow colour.

The issue is described in this article on Windows Central, a 3rd party website: [“It is intentional” Microsoft says Windows 11’s broken folder icons are by design. Here's what's going on](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/it-is-intentional-microsoft-says-windows-11s-broken-folder-icons-are-by-design-heres-whats-going-on)

To restore your folder colours you have a couple of options;

1. Add your <code class="expression">space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME</code> network drives as trusted sites in <code class="expression">space.vars.WINDOWS</code>. See below for steps
2. Ask your IT administrator to update your organisation's Group Policy to enable the policy `"Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons"` under `Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer`

## Add Your Network Drives As Trusted Sites

If your folders are no longer showing as coloured in <code class="expression">space.vars.WINDOWS\_FILE\_EXPLORER</code> follow these steps to add your <code class="expression">space.vars.PRODUCT\_NAME</code> network drives as trusted sites:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Hit the <code class="expression">space.vars.WINDOWS</code> key on your keyboard and enter *internet options*. Click the *Internet Options (Control panel)* option to open the dialog

<figure><img src="/files/8Tsm5Uk8DdbrpTIFxHfH" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the *Security tab*, select *Trusted sites*, then click the *Sites* button

<figure><img src="/files/qH4V6qpYSdGOOtryY1BV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
The Trusted sites dialog will open. If the checkbox, *Require server verification* is enabled, disable it. Enter your network drive in the edit box, E.g. `z:\` then click the *Add* button

<figure><img src="/files/4Z7XgUHABedAAVJqR5X8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Your network drive will now be added to the list of trusted sites in the *Websites* list. The reference to your drive may look different to what you added. I.e. in the example below, `Z:\` was added but the trusted sites shows `file://thinkscape`. This is because the *Trusted sites* dialog shows the server name of your network drive and not the drive letter. Repeat this process for your other drive letters. Click the *Close* button when complete. You may need to restart your computer for the change to take effect

<figure><img src="/files/9cf8ypEnDQ57caPMd1PZ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

If you find that adding the network drive to your *Trusted sites* does not work, try adding to the *Local Intranet* instead. Follow the same steps as above but this time choose *Local Intranet* then click the *Sites* button:

<figure><img src="/files/lU2znCJjJWUyaLRhzcUa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If the issue persists, there may be some other security setting that is overriding the user's Internet Properties settings. You may want to try rebuilding the Windows profile of the affected user as that can reset any changed settings back to the defaults.


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