How to enforce "Details" view in Windows File Select Dialog?

@KeithM
I guess you didn‘t see the udates to my post. The downloaded script worked fine. Thanks again!

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Well, I rejoiced too early. I set all folders to generic to keep Windows from automatically assigning folder types. Then I used @LesFerch's WinSetView to set up the basic column layout I wanted in the Details view. Once I had verified that that worked, I assigned folder types manually to my folder trees as desired. This all worked fine, but open and save as dialogs now show the default view for the folder type, instead of details, as set by your PS script, "Create_HKLM_AllFolders_Common_Dialogs_SearchResults.ps1". This wasn't terribly surprising, but running your script again doesn't restore the "Details" view in file chooser dialogs.. I supposed that this was because @LesFerch's tool operates at the account (HKCU) level, which might supersede your script's HKLM settings. As a first exercise in PowerShell scripting, I tried modifying your script to change the corresponding HKCU keys instead of HKLM (see attachment). It seemed to run successfully (in a non-admin PS window, so it would access my HKCU hive instead of the admin account's), but it left the file chooser dialogs unchanged. Any ideas?

rsbrux said:

@KeithM
I guess you didn‘t see the udates to my post. The downloaded script worked fine. Thanks again!

- - - Updated - - -

Well, I rejoiced too early. I set all folders to generic to keep Windows from automatically assigning folder types. Then I used @LesFerch's WinSetView to set up the basic column layout I wanted in the Details view. Once I had verified that that worked, I assigned folder types manually to my folder trees as desired. This all worked fine, but open and save as dialogs now show the default view for the folder type, instead of details, as set by your PS script, "Create_HKLM_AllFolders_Common_Dialogs_SearchResults.ps1". This wasn't terribly surprising, but running your script again doesn't restore the "Details" view in file chooser dialogs.. I supposed that this was because @LesFerch's tool operates at the account (HKCU) level, which might supersede your script's HKLM settings. As a first exercise in PowerShell scripting, I tried modifying your script to change the corresponding HKCU keys instead of HKLM (see attachment). It seemed to run successfully (in a non-admin PS window, so it would access my HKCU hive instead of the admin account's), but it left the file chooser dialogs unchanged. Any ideas?

Just scanning this while at a friend's. Also in the midst of a pause in replacing the garbage disposal to re-do the caulking that seals the kitchen sink to the counter( water oncounter was leaking into undersink cabinet ), so sink in currently draining into a bucket . Bottom line: It will be a while before I can look at your code or WinSetView --- not sure what keys it modifies.

But:

• In general, values under HKCU supercede values under HKLM.
• If you're setting custom columns for a FolderType via Apply to Folders and you want the dialogs to use those custom columns, you should delete any corresponding AllFolders subkey, as AllFolders (both HKCU & HKLM) supercede the FolderTypes defined under HKCU\...\Explorer\Streams\Defaults.

P.S. Also remember in testing: viewing the folder saves the view. That saved view overrides any defaults. So, saved views should be deleteed ( individualy or en masse ) after any modification to defaults.

rsbrux said:

[MENTION=44234]I set all folders to generic to keep Windows from automatically assigning folder types. Then I used @LesFerch's WinSetView to set up the basic column layout I wanted in the Details view. Once I had verified that that worked, I assigned folder types manually to my folder trees as desired. This all worked fine, but open and save as dialogs now show the default view for the folder type, instead of details

I've been trying to recreate this scenario, but all of my dialog views remain Details. This is what I tried:

Used WinSetView with these options:


Opened Pictures folder (NOT Library, Pictures) and changed the folder type to Pictures for the folder and subfolders.


Edited the columns (I removed the Path and added Dimensions) and then clicked View tab, Options, Change folder and search options, View tab, Apply to Folders.


I then opened MSPaint, and went to File, Open and got Details view.