How to apply different View settings to folders of the same type...

Is there a way to set Large icons view for all folders that have images except have the parent folder be set to Details?

Windows 10 Version 1903 (OS Build 18362.657)

The easiest thing is to execute Apply to Folders from a picture folder set to Large Icons so that is the default. Then just switch the parent folder to Details. That view should be retained if everything is working right.

The easiest thing is to execute Apply to Folders from a picture folder set to Large Icons so that is the default. Then just switch the parent folder to Details.

The parent folder in this case is OS(C:). That seems to have worked, with exceptions.

One folder and all its subfolders still has the Large Icons view.

A second folder and its subfolders has mixed Large Icons and Details views.

Is there a way to set the view for a given folder and have all folders within take on that setting?

You have to be aware of what FolderType is applied to a folder because Apply to Folders works on a per-FolderType basis. So you have to set Generic & Documents & Music & Downloads & Videos to Details (or whatever your previewed view is) as well as setting Pictures to Large Icons. Then, if a folder doesn't have its expected view, it's most likely becasue the wrong FolderType is applied & you can modify that vai the Customize tab in the folder's Properties dialog:

Be Aware:

• OneDrive folders have their own set of FolderTypes that appear identical on the Customize tab but are unique in the registry (the mandetory Status column distinguishes them from the "normal" equivalent type). These are the StorageProvider group (see below)
• To the frustration of many, the Library & SearchResults groups are not modified by Apply to Folders.

Here's a full iist of the FolderTypes defined in the registry. You can create your own using the PowerShell at the top:

Code:

(gp (gci HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes).PSPath).CanonicalName | Sort

AccountPictures
Communications
Communications.SearchResults
CompressedFolder
Contacts
Contacts.Library
Contacts.LibraryFolder
Contacts.SearchResults
ControlPanelAllItems
ControlPanelCategory
Documents
Documents.Library
Documents.LibraryFolder
Documents.SearchResults
Downloads
FileItemAPIs
Generic
Generic.Library
Generic.LibraryFolder
Generic.SearchResults
HomeFolder
Internet
Music
Music.Library
Music.LibraryFolder
Music.SearchResults
OpenSearch
OtherUsers
OtherUsers.SearchResults
Pictures
Pictures.Library
Pictures.LibraryFolder
Pictures.SearchResults
Printers
Programs
PublishedItems
PublishedItems.SearchResults
RestrictedNonIndexed
SearchConnector
Searches
SearchHome
StartMenu
StorageProviderDocuments
StorageProviderGeneric
StorageProviderMusic
StorageProviderPictures
StorageProviderVideos
Sync
UserFiles
UserFiles.SearchResults
UsersLibraries
UsersLibraries.SearchResults
Videos
Videos.Library
Videos.LibraryFolder
Videos.SearchResults

So you have to set Generic & Documents & Music & Downloads & Videos to Details (or whatever your previewed view is) as well as setting Pictures to Large Icons.

Do I do this from the folders of those names, i.e. I go to the Downloads folder and set it to Details?

Then, if a folder doesn't have its expected view, it's most likely becasue the wrong FolderType is applied & you can modify that vai the Customize tab in the folder's Properties dialog:

Doesn't that mean (for example) I have to go to each folder in the Pictures folder that isn't a Pictures FolderType and change it? And then do the same for each folder within each of those folders? I ask because I checked and a lot of those need to be changed.

ixodid said:

Do I do this from the folders of those names, i.e. I go to the Downloads folder and set it to Details?

That's generally the easiest way ( Desktop uses Generic/General FolerType ), but it can be executed from any folder & it will affect all folders that use the same FolderType.

ixodid said:

Doesn't that mean (for example) I have to go to each folder in the Pictures folder that isn't a Pictures FolderType and change it? And then do the same for each folder within each of those folders? I ask because I checked and a lot of those need to be changed.

Usually, sub-folders of Pictures are using the Pictures FolderType. However, you can force the parent folder type on subfolders, again from the Customize tab, check the opton: Also apply this template to all subfolders.

...you can force the parent folder type on subfolders, again from the Customize tab, check the opton: Also apply this template to all subfolders.

(Sorry I didn't include this information sooner but I didn't want to confuse things by including too much in any one post): I had on several occasions checked the option Also apply this template to all subfolders (and click Apply) but it doesn't seem to work.

I also tried the Reset Folders button at Folder Options > View > Folder views and restarted Windows a couple of times at various points in the process.

I appreciate your help so far, KeithM.

When at [a given folder's] Properties > Customize and checking Also apply this template to all subfolders, does this mean all immediate subfolders only or all subfolders all the way down the tree?

I ask because when I enable Also apply this template to all subfolders, it does not appear to affect any subfolders below the immediate level of subfolders.