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]

You, sir, are a saint. Thank you!

Your welcome Cragganmore, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[Xibalba]

Thank you so absolutely much for this tutorial!

I have lots of storage on my main PC (a few TB) and was having problems with Vista remembering the folder settings - particularly with folders containing huge amounts of photos or video files. Explorer would even crash periodically when opening one of these folders and/or copying contents between these folder types.

This simple tutorial (and also the .reg file) has literally brought me so much joy. Thanks to Google for leading me to this tutorial and forum...

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Xibalba, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[Exostenza]

Seems to have worked so far. Much appreciated as I cannot believe this is a problem in Vista and it has been killing me since I got it over a year ago!!

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Exostenza, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[Exostenza]

It been a couple of restarts now and the reg fix is holding up.

Spot on.

 

[Brink]

Thank you for the feedback Exostenza. I'm happy to hear it.

Shawn

 

[MilesAhead]

Hi MilesAhead,

Give this a try. It prevents XP from being able to see Vista, which may prevent it from messing with Vista when you switch OS's. It may do the trick for you.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/127417-system-restore-points-stop-xp-dual-boot-delete.html

Shawn

Brink, rereading the thread I see that the registry key
HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags

is crucial to Explorer folder settings. I'm thinking if I'd rather keep it so that I
can see my Vista drive when XP is running would this solution work: get the
Vista explorer folder settings the way I want them, then export that key to a .reg
file. If the view settings get hosed, run the .reg file to restore them?

Or is there a bunch of other junk in those settings to hose my setup?

 

[sidney1st]

All that these BAGS entries do is remember settings, a new Bags entry gets re-created once you logoff, logon and start using Windows Explorer.
Of course, you may export as a reg file that branch and re-import it in case of

 

[Karl Snooks]

help! I don't get a .reg file, but rather an "attachment.php" file. What now?
karl

 

[MilesAhead]

All that these BAGS entries do is remember settings, a new Bags entry gets re-created once you logoff, logon and start using Windows Explorer.
Of course, you may export as a reg file that branch and re-import it in case of

Thanks. So far I've used the .reg download to reset and it seems to be working.
Thing is I can't test it until XP causes Vista folder settings to put all that grid crap
back in. If I can double-click a .reg file, then log off or use an Environment Refresh script then that's faster than manually selected details etc..

If my settings get reset by XP again I'll report anything I find out for all the dual booters out there.

 

[Brink]

help! I don't get a .reg file, but rather an "attachment.php" file. What now?
karl

Hi Karl,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Strange, you should have a Reset_Folder_View.reg download link next to <CLICK TO DOWNLOAD under Method Two.

Are you logged in when you are looking at it?

Shawn

 

[Karl Snooks]

Shawn,
I swear that I was logged in but I logged in again and went to the tutorial and now I have a .reg file as expected. Computers are marvelous things.
Thanks and now to merge and marvel at the results.
Incidentally, tutorials at this site are excellent.
karl

 

[Brink]

Thank You Karl.

You may have logged in and just forgot to check the Remember me box. Without that, it may cause you to be no longer logged in when you go to another webpage in the site.

Shawn

 

[jhuk]

Im 100% sick of this issue so much I feel like dumping Vista.

The SP1 should have fixed it but its a old bug MS will never fix, same as the Registry bags files in XP going wrong.

Unlike XP for example The Picture folder is not set for Photos in Vista by default its All Items, its same for all Special Folders.

If I follow the above guide and set folders to certain types then I get a total mess within 5mins.

I have found another guide near same as this but its results last longer for me (weeks instead of days).

I have just spent another 1 hour reseting and then setting all my Windows and Folders back the way I want, now for a Reboot and see how long they last.

I dont know WTF MS are playing at buy why would I want my Add/Remove Programs to suddenly become Super Large Thumbnail views.

My Recycle Bin is 1st item to go wrong with Views then other folders follow soon afterwards.

Also the Recent Items having a habit of breaking is common (fix here sorts for a while).

 

[Kilmatead]

Strangely, I had this problem with an OEM x64 installation about six months ago and the .reg file sorted it out permanently, for which I was greatly pleased, and thankful.

So, due to the vagaries of things, I decided to do a clean re-install (of the same OEM/same hardware) in preparation for SP1 - and everything went grand. Naturally (Vista being Vista) it didn't take more than a day for the folders to go walkabout again, so to the .reg we go. Problem solved.

For 3 days.

Happens again. Ok, .reg it again.

Fine for 3 days... (you get the idea).

I rather expected the posts on this board to multiply ex post SP1 (thinking it to banjax it for everyone), but I guess not.

I realise it's silly to ask why this is happening, however I find it very odd that pre-SP1 the 'fix' was (virtually) permanent, yet post-SP1 it can't hold it's beer more than a week.

I'd rather not keep putting my fist through my screen every other day.

I take it there have been no serious re-evaluations of this issue of late? (The previous 14 pages say "no"... but I thought I'd ask anyway.)

Thanks.

 

[sidney1st]

Did you try to increase the folder view cache memory (part 21 of this tutorial)

 

[jhuk]

I increased mine as this info :


" Stop Vista Folder/Window Size/Views/Layout Changing by itself.

1. Open Start Menu.
2. In white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click Continue for UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
5. In left pane, right click on Bags, and click Delete
6. Click Yes to the confirmation pop-up window.
7. In regedit, go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
8. In left pane, right click on BagMRU and click Delete
9. Click Yes to confirmation pop-up window
10. In regedit, go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
11. In left pane, right click on Shell and click New and click Key
12. Type Bags and press Enter.
13. In left pane, right click Bags and click New and click Key
14. Type AllFolders and press Enter.
15. In left pane, right click AllFolders and click New and click Key.
16. Type Shell and press Enter.
17. In right pane of Shell, right click on a empty area and click New and click String Value
18. Type FolderType and press Enter.
19. In right pane, right click FolderType and click Modify.
20. Type NotSpecified and click Ok.
21. In regedit, go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell NoRoam
22. Right click BagMRU Size, in right pane.(If this value is not there...right click in right pane and creat a DWord called BagMRU Size and proceed)
23. Click Modify.
24. Dot the Decimal and type 20000 and click Ok
25. Close regedit.
26. Restart your computer to apply the reset and to let Vista rebuild the registry keys with a clean slate
Now you can re-set your folder views and Vista will remember. "

 

[Kilmatead]

Did you try to increase the folder view cache memory (part 21 of this tutorial)

Unfortunately I have tried all the variants and themes associated with the solutions mentioned. (Just for the fancy, I tried 50000 for good luck; yet it cared not for the name or number of Caesar. I even investigated the "secondary" keys particular to x64, to no avail.) The first time it repeated itself, I thought I had somehow made a mistake, forgotten something, etc, so I took the steps to heart like some technological catechism from heck.

It goes away for a few days, then upon the creation of a folder or file (usually on the Desktop itself) I can see the screen do a 'refresh' and I'll know that everything is off celebrating my birthday without me again.

Quite demoralising.


I'm somewhat indifferent to a solution, I've simply learned to accept it as one would a cancer - a small war; a temporary victory; a smile; - to begin again in feigned anger of the lost.

The irony is that there are probably only 7 folders on the whole of the system whose settings I wish to keep. The rest can do as they please. Now if there was some way to simply get windows to stop paying attention after I permanently set those folders, I would be happy, but I won't hold my breath.

My original enquiry stands; has there been any investigation at all into this? It seems absurd that the cause is "unknown". C'est la vie.

Now you can re-set your folder views and Vista will remember.

You forgot to add 'for three days if you're lucky.'

 

[jhuk]

Thats not my input lol.

Its the guide I used and got the most time out, as the Desktop is actually a Folder in the Users section thats why it will mess up rest of PC when you make a new folder and mess with files inside it.

PIA TBH.