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]

Hi Kilmatead,

I'm sorry that this fix is not holding for you. I have only managed to find a fix for the problem, but there is no exact known cause for this yet that I can find anywhere. Because of this and the variance of systems out there, the fix may last forever on some systems and not long on others like yours.

I will forever keep looking for the cause to hopefully have a permanent fix for this, but I fear that it may be buried in Vista's coding that only Microsoft can fix.

Hang in there,
Shawn

 

[Kilmatead]

Just out of interest, and as a workaround for this workaround (), is there a way to "hardwire" the position/personality of particular folders? Like I said, I only want to keep the positions/settings of 7 folders in total - when they go loopy, is it possible to have a .reg script which would rewrite the values of specific folders (say force it to default position <x>, <y> at default size <a>, <b>), thus saving me the trouble of doing it manually?

Just a thought. (And thank you for your attention.)

 

[Brink]

Kilmatead,

Not that I know of. The settings (numbered folders) under the Bags key are the ones for individual folders, but there is no clear way of IDing or changing them to the particular folder it is for.

 

[Kilmatead]

Fred Flintstone used to march around when he got angry and frustrated going "Argghh, grumble, grumble" with some tuba music in the background for emphasis. Someone needs to design an appropriate emoticon for this (as regular anger just isn't Hanna-Barbara enough for real life).

Thanks anyway.

 

[pgklada]

hello, you have solved half of my explorer-related problems in vista; however, I still need a solution to other stupidity, so please help: can somehow filename column width be automatically widened to the width of the longest filename (either the longest in the folder or longest on-screen); current way of displaying filename column of just nominal width is veeery stupid, as people at all times want to see full names, and only occasionally have it shortened; again, thank you for all the advices

 

[Brink]

Hi pgklada,

Well sort of. You will have to manually change it using OPTION THREE Method Three in this tutorial first, then use Apply to Folders in Folder Options to also set it for all of the same folder templates.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/108665-column-customize.html

Shawn

 

[pgklada]

1st) thank you very much for prompt reply; 2nd) if I get it correctly, this solution adjusts the column width to whatever content I have in the current directory, and then "apply to all folders" the width of the adjusted column, but the width in pixels and not the attribude "autowidth"; and the autowidth feature is what I am looking for (may the force be with MS WinExplorer designers so they invent this feature soon)

 

[Brink]

pgklada,

It will apply the current Size All Columns to Fit for them. You just repeat if you run across one wider to adjust. It's not perfect, but it's the only way that I know of that is semi-automatic you can say.

Shawn

 

[shawngee]

thanks very much for your time this helped me alot
Take care
G

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Shawngee, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[LaTropa64]

How long does this fix last for most people?

It works great for awhile but it seems I'm having to re-apply it every month or two. It doesn't permanently stick.

 

[Brink]

Hello LaTropa,

It varies from person to person depending on how many folder view changes they make, and if any installed programs may interfere, before it goes haywire again . I wish is was a permanent fix to, but without an exact cause it just cannot be done for now.

Shawn

 

[R1100GS]

Thanks to all who got their heads round the folder settings issues and fixed it, albeit temporarily, it's a great help. I've never worked out why somebody included that 'rating' field why would I want to rate a file?? Now I'm one of these people who wants his PC set up the way I want it, not the way some focus group in WA thinks I would like it.

This leads me onto my problem which is mostly resolved by the tutorial just completed. It seems to work for everything except CD/DVDs

When I try to look at the directory structure of a CD/DVD I insert how do I set the default setting for a CD/DVD to show "Details" not Icons and remove the "Group By" setting ? I can right click and say Group By =None but I have ot do this to every sub-directory on the DVd and when I insert a new DVd I have to do it again. I have never used this and I will never use this

Thanks for a great site
Mike M

 

[Brink]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Since the device or media is external and portable it can easily be connected to or placed in another computer and changed from how it was on the previous computer. Because of this, Vista will not remember any folder view settings on external media (Ex: CD/DVD) or devices when they are turned off or removed.

Maybe in the future Microsoft will have a file that would be left on the external device or media that will keep track of the changes on each computer it is used on so the settings can be remembered that way instead.

Shawn

 

[R1100GS]

Thanks Shawn,
I guess it does make some kinda sense when you think about it, but I just wish the default wasn't grouping and icons as I've hated that form since the Redmond boys invented it.
Thanks for the quick response
This really is the most useful of the vista forums
Mike

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Mike.

Thank you,
Shawn

 

[Raytheon117X]

Oh man! Thanks so much for this tutorial! I came across it a while back but never posted my thanks until now since I came back to redo it (my folder settings expired and Vista started making changes on its own). I too wish there were a permanent fix for this, but this is an amazing help!

 

[BandcaveMan]

(Thanks in advance for letting me vent a little frustration)

Why can't Microsoft just fix this PROBLEM? COME ON! Are they that ignorant of this issue? Are they just ignoring it because they refuse to "allow" users any more control than they absolutely have to? Really, what is UP? I have implemented the fix in this forum at least 3 times. It works great! But...every time I install a patch(uh,er I mean..."Update") from Microsoft, it fouls up again. Argghhh! SHAME ON MICROSOFT FOR SCREWING THIS UP SO BADLY!

Not only does Vista screw up the folder view settings in explorer, but it also jacks up the "Save as", "Choose file", etc. dialog boxes. Geeeeez!

Microsoft Vista = 2 HUGE Thumbs DOWN

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Raytheon117x and BandcaveMan.

Welcome to Vista Forums.

BandcaveMan, yes it would be nice if they fixed it one day.

Shawn

 

[BuckDanny]

Hello Shawn and everybody else,

As a fairly recent Vista user, this issue has put me on a bit of rollercoaster as well (I'm sure the following will be familiar to a lot of people):

1. Amazement (the first 10 times I saw it) - "What's happening ???"

2. Extreme frustration (the following 990 times) - <insert expletive here>

3. Resolve - "This can't be right - must do something about it - let's Google it"

4. Relief (1) - "All right, it's not just me who encountered it and who finds it extremely annoying"

5. Relief (2) - "Great, some smart people have find a registry hack to solve it."

6. Confusion - because I've found different suggested registry modifications, and it's difficult to pick "the right one".

That's what I wanted to say: earlier in this thread you (Shawn) had a conversation with someone called "stevecn70". As a result, you said you updated your tutorial (top of page 5). However, to me it appears that the tutorial in its current state still differs from steve's solution in the middle of page 4, on which he elaborates more in this thread, in particular concerning the location of the BagMRU Size Setting.

In that thread, steve claims that with his approach the problem should be solved permanently (so far nobody there has disagreed). Could that really be the case ??

I mean absolutely no disrespect by posting a "rival" solution. It's just that I've found both your and his thread, and thought that it might be a good idea if smarter people than me could compare ideas. Since MS has completely and utterly dropped the ball on this one, it's up to the internet community to help fix this mess.

Cheers,
BuckDanny