Create a new folder type to have a dedicated template for detail-view

* Windows 10 Ver 22H2 *

This is an unusual request and there might be an easier way to accomplish what I was asked to do.

I would like to create a folder type named 'Special' which would have its own detail-view template in Windows Explorer. This would be preferable to changing the defaults for any of the normal folder types-- General Items, Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos.

I would prefer not to do something that would affect any templates for the existing folder types. I have already tried this for one of the existing types but this would eventually create a problem if other folders of that type were ever added.
Once i had a folder type of "Special" there would never be more of them. Then the template created for that new folder type could be modified to display as needed.

The reason for all this odd setup is that I was asked to find a way to display specific information about the sub-directories that would display when the folder is opened in Windows explorer. Where the details-view for the "General Items' template now shows column headings of: ‘Name’ ‘Date Modified’ ‘Type’ ‘Size’, I would like to create a template for details view that would only have two columns: 'Name' and 'Tag'

I was able to load the Tag property with get the 'Tag' property to contain the information that is desired but if i make this the defaut, it will also change the layout for all other folders that have the 'General Items' folder type.

To display as desired, the details-view should only contain the two colums: one for 'Name' and the other for "Tag"

The Users want to be able to read and sort the directory by using the 100 Character description that is in the 'Tag' .

I can create the tag for each folder and load it with the necessary information, but I am having problems explaining to people how to get the View they want to be the one used by Windows Explorer for this Special folder.
If it could be defined as a new folder type, it would be the only place where this Special details-view would show up.


There are several posts on the MS forums asking similar questions but so far none of them provides a way in which this can be done.

If anyone here has a clue as to where i could accomplish something like this, I would appreciate the info.

I think Windows Explorer does not provide a direct way to create a new folder type with a dedicated detail-view template. The folder types in Windows Explorer are predefined and cannot be easily customized without affecting other folders of the same type.

the app at this location does provide some possible options and until i can be certain about the neeed, i might not have to change anything.

I can manualy pick and choose the colums i want to be displayed and the results look exactly like i want. However, i have not yet been able to determine if having done so, this layout wil now show up in other folders where it would not be wanted.

Even if I manage to dodge that bullet, the biggest problem is trying to explain to a bunch of "non-computerese" people how to get the setup arranged in the first place. I was hoping that the setup I configured might be stored in some registry location where I could export the (name.reg) setup and tell people to import it to achieve that same layout.

questorfla said:

the app at this location does provide some possible options and until i can be certain about the neeed, i might not have to change anything.

I can manualy pick and choose the colums i want to be displayed and the results look exactly like i want. However, i have not yet been able to determine if having done so, this layout wil now show up in other folders where it would not be wanted.

Even if I manage to dodge that bullet, the biggest problem is trying to explain to a bunch of "non-computerese" people how to get the setup arranged in the first place. I was hoping that the setup I configured might be stored in some registry location where I could export the (name.reg) setup and tell people to import it to achieve that same layout.

That's my app, so I can answer any questions about it. I didn't recommend WinSetView for your situation because it doesn't provide any option to add new folder types or set a folder view for a subset of folders of one type. It will certainly let you set the default folder views for each folder type, so you could use it to set your General Items view to include the "Tag" column, set the order of the column headings, default sort order, etc.

The manual incudes information about running via the command line and capturing results in a REG file.

Thanks LesFerch! Let me give that a try. Oddly enough, it seems that the folder type I am dealing with might actually a real "type" but not one of the the 5 that I was aware of. The type seems to be called "web folder" (?) I am not certain now, i accidentally found that title at some point and not sure where it was displ;ayed. I could be totally wrong until i can find it again. I wasnt aware of there being already being more than the normal 5 I am accustomed to.
And lucky me, because it seems to already exist, the changes I make DO stay in place. Since this is also a custom Shared Network folder, I have not found any others that are affected by my changes in View settings.