Feature: Add an option to disable drive usage red/yellow colour in info pane details

[dylanfb]

What feature or improvement do you think would benefit Files?

Hello,

First, thank you for making Files — the clean and modern design is excellent and a substantial improvement over the clutter in other file managers.

I would like to request an accessibility feature regarding the drive usage bars. At present, the bar changes colour (blue → yellow → red) when free space is low. For some users, especially those who are autistic or neurodiverse, this sudden shift to red can be very distressing and makes the interface hard to use comfortably.

It would be extremely helpful if Files included an option to:

• Disable warning colours entirely (always keep bars a single neutral/accent colour), or
• Allow users to set their own thresholds/colours.

This would make Files far more accessible for people like me who are sensitive to unexpected or alarming visual changes.

Thanks for considering this — I think it would be a small addition but a significant improvement in accessibility.

Requirements

• Add a toggle in Settings → Appearance to disable drive usage warning colours.
• Alternatively, allow users to define their own thresholds/colours for drive usage bars.
• Ensure the default behaviour remains unchanged for most users.
• Changes should apply consistently across Home (Drives widget) and Details pane.

Files Version

3.9.1

Windows Version

Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.XXXX)

Comments

This is an accessibility-related request. Red/alert colours can be overwhelming or distressing for neurodiverse users (including autistic individuals), so a neutral option would make Files much more inclusive.

[mdtauk]

The colours are intended to make people aware they are running low on space, but we could include an option to
Not show storage warnings for drives

And that could be used for those who find it uncomfortable.

We also use warning colours for other things like Action status, is it specifically drive storage that causes the discomfort, or all places where the system uses colour to indicate a warning or error?

[yaira2]

Can you clarify which storage bars you're referring to? The ones on the Home Page follow the system accent color.

[dylanfb]

Thanks for your consideration, @mdtauk and @yaira2.

I’m referring to the drive usage bars in the Details pane when a drive is selected - the ones that change from blue → yellow → red as space runs low. The sudden switch to red is overwhelming for me.

It would help to have an option to:

Keep these bars a single neutral/accent colour, or

Let users set their own thresholds/colours.

Ideally this could extend to all areas where warning colours appear, so there’s a consistent accessibility option.

[yaira2]

Thank you for clarifying. How often does the state change between low space and not? I think a simpler solution would be to animate the color changes so that the shift is more subtle.