Windows Explorer Folder View settings

How to Reset Windows Explorer Folder View Settings to Make Vista Remember​

   Information

Vista sets the Explorer window view settings and folder type template according to what folder types are in the window. This will show you how to reset the Windows Explorer folder view settings, turn off Automatic Folder Type Discovery, and increase the folder view cache to have Vista remember the view settings, folder type template, size, or position of a specific window for when it was last closed at the specific path location.

This does not work with the sub Save As, Open With, Open in New Tab (Internet Explorer), etc.... type dialog windows through the File menu bar item though. These do not seem to be able to have their size or position remembered. For these, you can use the free program AutoSizer to resize them.

   Note

• The Windows Explorer window pane Layout settings are universal for all window templates. These are the Search Pane, Details Pane, Preview Pane, and Navigation Pane. They can only be turned on or off for all windows with the same folder template. For example, the Music Details, Music Icons, Pictures and Videos, All Items, Contacts, and Documents.
• This will have no affect on the memory for the Open, Save, and Save As dialog boxes for having them open to the same location.
• External devices (EX: USB drive) will not retain their folder view settings when turned off or disconnected from the computer.

   Tip

It has been reported that installing the Vista SP2 has helped resolved this issue of Vista forgetting folder view settings for no apparent reason.

   Warning

The exact cause of Vista losing it's memory on your folder view settings has not been found yet. This may just reset them for now to help Vista remember them again. It has been noticed that changing a lot of window folder view settings in combination with some unknown applications settings may be triggering this forgetfulness. Make sure that you do not have a setting in a 3rd party program set to clear the folder view setting cache when it is used. (EX: CCleaner - Window Size/Location cache option under Cleaner -> Advanced)

METHOD ONE

Normal Way to Reset a Folder Type View Settings

   Note

This resets the folder view settings for all folders with this same folder template type back to the default view settings. You will need to use METHOD TWO below for Vista not remembering your settings for all the folder views.

1. Open Folder Options from the Control Panel (Classic View), and click on the View tab and Reset Folders button. (See screenshot below)​

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2. Click on Yes to the confirmation pop-up.​

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3. Click on OK to close Folder Options.​

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METHOD TWO

Reset All Folder View Settings to Make Vista Remember

   Note

• This resets all current folder view settings so they will be rebuilt when you restart.
• This will also bring back the Uninstall, Change, Repair, or Uninstall/Change buttons in Programs and Features if missing.

OPTION ONE

Automatically Using a REG File Download

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1. Click on the Download button below to download the Reset_Folder_View.zip file and save it to your desktop.

   Note

This .reg download includes and does all of the Manual section below for you automatically.

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2. Open the ZIP file and extract the Reset_Folder_View.reg file to your desktop.​

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3. Right click on the downloaded Reset_Folder_View.reg file and click on Merge.​

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4. Click on Run button in the Security Warning prompt.​

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5. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​

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6. Click on YES in the Confirmation prompt.​

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7. Click on OK in the Success prompt.​

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8. Go to step 29 in OPTION TWO below to finish wrapping this up.​

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OPTION TWO

Manually Through Registry Editor

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Reset Folder View Settings :​

1. Open the Start Menu.​

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2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​

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3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​

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4. In regedit, go to:​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

5. In the left pane, right click on Bags, and click on Delete. (See screenshot below)​

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A) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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6. In the left pane, right click on BagMRU, and click on Delete. (See screenshot below)​

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A) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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7. In regedit, go to:​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

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A) In the left pane, right click on BagMRU and click Delete. (See screenshot below step 8)​

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B) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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C) In the left pane, right click on Bags and click on Delete.​

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D) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

8. In regedit, go to:​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam

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A) In the left pane, right click on BagMRU if here and click Delete. (See screenshot below step 8)​

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B) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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C) In the left pane, right click on Bags if here and click on Delete.​

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D) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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9. The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)​

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Disable Automatic Folder Type Discovery for Templates :​

CREDIT TO: Kristan Kenney: Confessions of a Windows Enthusiast

   Note

This will allow you to have what folder type template you set for the window instead of Vista automatically assigning a default template to it based on the contents of the window. This is when you have your folder template changed to Pictures and Videos from All Items when you put one image file in the folder.

   Note

OPTION: This is an optional section, but it is recommended. Steps 1-9 must have been done first before you do this section. If you decide to skip it, then go to step 21.​

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10. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

11. In the left pane, right click on Shell and click on New and Key.​

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12. Type Bags and press Enter. (See screenshots below)​

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13. In the left pane, right click on Bags and click New and Key.​

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14. Type AllFolders and press Enter. (See screenshots below)​

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15. In the left pane, right click AllFolders and click on New and Key.​

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16. Type Shell and press Enter. (See screenshots below)​

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17. In the right pane of Shell, right click on a empty area and click on New and String Value.​

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18. Type FolderType and press Enter. (See screenshot below)​

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19. In the right pane, right click on FolderType and click on Modify.​

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20. Type NotSpecified (or one below) and click on OK. (See screenshots below)​

   Tip

You can type any one of these values in bold below instead to apply the template as the default for all folder types. You will still be able to change a individual folder type template to what you want and have Vista remember it afterwards.

   Tip

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[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-500][TR][TD]
Value
[/TD]
[TD]
Description
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
NotSpecified
[/TD]
[TD]
All Items folder type template
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Contacts
[/TD]
[TD]
Contacts folder type template
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Music
[/TD]
[TD]
Music Details folder type template
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
MusicIcons
[/TD]
[TD]
Music Icons folder type template
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Documents
[/TD]
[TD]
Documents folder type template
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Pictures
[/TD]
[TD]
Pictures and Videos folder type template with large icons
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

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Increase Folder View Cache Memory :

   Note

This will increase the amount of folders to be remembered for changes to the folder view settings.

   Note

OPTION: This is a optional step, but the increase will help ensure that Vista does not forget. Steps 1-9 must be done first before you do this section. If you decide to skip it, them go to step 25.​

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21. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

22. In the right pane, right click on BagMRU Size.​

NOTE: If you do not have the BagMRU Size value, then right click on a empty space in the right pane and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type in BagMRU Size and press enter.​

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23. Click on Modify.​

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24. Dot the Decimal and type 20000 (folders) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

   Note

5000 is the default number of folders to be remembered.

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Deleting Local Group Policy Setting :​

   Note

This will show you how to check to see if this Group Policy setting has been set to not save the position of open windows or the size and position of the taskbar when users log off, and to delete if it is so that the changed will now be remembered at exit.

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25. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer​

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26. In the right pane, look to see if you have NoSaveSettings. If you do, then right click on NoSaveSettings and click on Delete and Yes to confirm deletion. (See screenshot above)​

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27. In regedit, go to:​

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer​

28. Repeat step 26 if you have NoSaveSettings here as well.​

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Wrapping it Up :​

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29. Close regedit.​

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30. Log off and log on,or restart the computer to apply the reset and to let Vista rebuild the registry keys with a clean slate.​

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31. Open Folder Options.​

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A) Click on the View tab. (See screenshot below)​

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B) Check Remember each folder's view settings.​

   Warning

If left unchecked, Vista will ignore custom view settings for every folder and have every folder open using default settings instead. Only, uncheck this setting to force all folders to stop using display settings you have specified.

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C) Uncheck Restore previous folder windows at logon.​

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D) Click on OK.​

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32. Make the changes you want for the opened Windows Explorer windows.​

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33. To Apply These Changes to All the Same Folder Type Templates ​

   Tip

For more information on folder templates, see: How to Choose and Customize a Folder Type Template and Columns in Vista and How to Change the Windows Explorer Columns and Sort Order in Vista

A) Open Folder Options​

WARNING: Folder Options must be opened from within the same Windows Explorer window that you are changing or the Apply to Folders button will be grayed out.​

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B) Click on the View tab. (See screenshot below step 31D)​

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C) Click on the Apply to Folders button.​

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D) Click on Yes in the confirmation prompt.​

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E) Click on OK.​

34. To Apply Changes to Just this Window Template​

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A) Close the window when you make your changes to the Windows Explorer window to save the folder view settings for just that one window.

   Warning

Vista will only remember the way it is when you last closed the window.

35. To Apply Changes to All Window Templates​

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A) In step 20 above, you can change the default folder template used of (NotSpecified) to what you want instead for all folder templates without having to restart the computer again.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Back Up and Restore Your Folder View Settings in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista
• How to Change a Default Open Window Size for a Shortcut in Vista
• How to Change Windows Explorer Default Open Location
• How to Use the Windows Explorer Address Bar in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable the Menu Bar in Vista
• How to Change the Windows Explorer Columns and Sort Order in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Folder Options in Vista
• How to Turn the Preview Pane On or Off in Vista
• How to Turn the Navigation Pane On or Off in Vista
• How to Change the Sort Order for Numbers in File and Folder Names in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Auto-Hide for Vista Explorer Full Screen F11
• How to Hide or Show File Names in Vista
• How to Disable Auto Arrange in Vista Windows Explorer to have Free Sorting

 

[Brink]

Thank you Mark,

I'll add this to the data collected so far. Hopefully we will find a permanent solution one day. In the mean time this will reset it so it will work again until the cause it triggered again.

Shawn

 

[sleeplessinsale]

Hello. Your guide is really clear to follow!

I am still stuck though

I want all my folders below the Music (and including the Music folder) folder level to have the columns

Name
Artists
Album
Rating
Bit Rate

I also want the view to be Details.
Finally, I want them all to Size All Columns to Fit.

How do I achieve this?
I tried the METHOD 2 above. I'm really sorry to go over old ground again for you, but Vista is
getting me a little frustrated on this - it is XP functionality deprecated, if you ask me.

Anyway, please help. I want it for all folders at and below this level, ie subfolders.

Oh and while I'm at it, some parts of your instructions refer to 'Apply to Folders' in Folder Options on the View tab. Mine is permanently disabled and nothing I seem to do enables it for me to be able to click it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brink]

Hi Sleeplessinsale,

When you get to step 20 in METHOD TWO, use Music instead of NotSpecified. This make all of folders this default template.

There is really no way to make all of them to Size All Columns to Fit without manually doing each one as you come across them since it changes often based on how long the column's information is.


These might be helpful for you to:

How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista

and

How to Change the Windows Explorer Columns and Sort Order in Vista


Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sleeplessinsale]

Thanks for the fast response but it will not take. I did the whole thing again and changed that setting to Music.

All the subfolders are not affected by the change i make to the top level folder.

I've done Method 2 with that Music setting. Then I did http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/77444-windows-explorer-folder-type-templates.html
as well.

Did I miss something?

Thanks,
Richard

 

[Brink]

Richard,

You will need to do the Apply to Folders at the bottom of this tutorial to apply it to all the same folder type template of the one you are changing manually. You will need to repeat it for each of the 6 different folder templates to apply it to all templates.

How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista

When you go into Folder Options, it must be from within the window you want to change. From Tools -> Folder options on the menu bar.

Shawn

 

[sleeplessinsale]

Aaahh!! I was trying to do it by going to by opening Folder Options from Control Panel, from the Start button. Not from within the window.

Sorry!! That's why I'm sitting here struggling and you're there helping everyone

All working now.

As you said before, don't think we can get the Size All Columns thingy working automatically. I'll suffer that for now.

Thank you!!!
Richard

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Richard,

Glad to hear you got it now. I wish it would Size All Columns automatically to. Thank goodness it's just a couple of clicks to fix. (per window ) LOL

Shawn

 

[niGht kiD]

Hi Brink,

I have encountered a weird problem recently

I cannot select multiple files when the folder template is set to "Pictures & Videos". Ctrl+A doesn't work and Select All is greyed out. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hi niGht kiD,

Try resetting the folder view settings with Method Two on page 1 of this tutorial to see if it will clear the problem for you.

For now, this tutorial will show you an alternative way to select multiple files.

How to Select Files Using a Check Box in Vista Windows Explorer

Shawn

 

[niGht kiD]

Thanks brink.

Actually I had tried Method Two. It's ok, just a small problem. I can always set it to other templates. Anyway, this tutorial really is helpful.

 

[Brink]

niGht kiD,

You might try running a sfc /scannow command to see if it can find and fix any system file errors.

How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker

Shawn

 

[gbp007]

Does the new vista service pack 1 that's out right now fix the folder view settings problem ?

 

[Brink]

Gbp007,

I have not heard if it has or not. I have not had any problems with it yet with it installed.

Shawn

 

[gbp007]

Ok thanks, Im really hoping when the official vista sp1 comes out that it fixes the annoying folder view settings problem..

 

[trale]

Still doesn't remember each folder's layout

Please if anyone can help me throught this issue I'll be so grateful! So I applied the fix from the beginning of this thread, and while it fix some issues, Vista still doesn't remember each folder's layout.

For example, on folders that I open from Windows Explorer, I want the navigation pane to be ON. On folders I double click from the Desktop, I want the navigation pain OFF. However, it seems that the Layout settings is universal, and whatever state I was using (pane on or off) when I last close a folder, that's the layout state that'll be applied when I bring up a new folder.

I've tried everything, from assigning types in "Customize this folder", to toggling "Remember each folder's view settings". But everything EXCEPT the layout state gets remembered.

I never had this problem in XP.

 

[Brink]

Hi Trale,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

The same folder window view settings will keep it settings as it was last closed no matter from where you open it from. The only exceptions are the personal user folders when opened from the Start menu (desktop) and from the C:\Users\(username) locations. They have separate view settings since these use a Junction Point to link them. For example, C:\Users\(username)\Documents and My Documents.

However, the window pane Layout settings are universal for all windows. The only exception is that you can have the Preview Pane on for the Contacts template without it being on for the others.

Sorry,
Shawn

 

[niGht kiD]

Hi brink,

It said the problem couldn't be fixed after I ran the sfc /scannow(my logon screen was also reverted to default). It's ok, I have just finished a clean install

Thanks.

 

[trale]

Hi Brink, thanks for the response. At least it confirmed what I thought was a bug. This is a truly annoying "feature" in vista, having the layout setting be universal. I really hope they address it in SP1. I don't suppose there's a way to revert Vista's explorer to XP's....

 

[Brink]

Trale,

Not that I'm aware of, but there are some 3rd party Windows Explorer alternatives out there. I do not know any names off the top of my head, but you should be able to find some free ones by using Google.

Shawn

 

[nytiger73]

Hi Shawn,

Thanks for this great tutorial. For the most part it's doing what I want. The 2 BIGGEST culprits for me anyway are the Music and Games folders that seem to like to forget their settings on me. I did the automatic method and it reset everything as expected. I then went in and set the one template how I wanted it, but as expected it all of my folders that same way. This is where I am hitting a brick wall. Let me give you a little background with regard to how I like to set my folders up. I am (pardon my french) very anal in how I like to set these up. Perhaps you can point me to a specific part of the tutorial which I may be overlooking that will help me make Vista remember my settings

I have a 22" widescreen monitor with the resolution set to 1680X1050. I like to set drag out my Windows to cover a good portion of this space, but I don't like to maximize them as I like the Aero glass effects. Now I would maximize them if I could somehow force Vista to keep the glass effects when the Window is maximized (thats another issue though). Anyway. Most of my Windows are set to large icons grouped by type. The onlty 2 that I really make any significant changes are is Games and Music as these are the 2 folders where most of my time is spent. For Games, I have the window sized up to a fairly decent size, with the icon size slider set about 1/2 to 2/4 between large and extra large. This folder seems to like to forget it's settings the most and I have noticed that when I make any major changes to the music folder this is when Vista forgets.

Now, for my Music folder, the top level where all the different artists is set to Large Icons, when opening the next level where the album names are listed, this to is set to large icons, when going into the actual album names, this is set to Tiles.

I have ALOT of music, perhaps about 30GB worth, and there are probably close to 2000 folders all total between the artists and albums. I ran through the automatic reset, but with what I am trying to explain, would it be more beneficial to run through the manual method? I am thinking I should maybe set the MRU Cache to 50000, but it seems like I am well under the 20000 that is set in the tutorial, so I don't think that's it.

I hope I am not being to wordy. Thanks for taking the time to read my "book".

Thanks.

Paul