File Explorer Columns Win 10 19041

LesFerch · 12 Dec 2021

Joanne Tredeau said:

Winsetview seems very powerful, but, is over my head.

WinSetView can give a bit of an overwhelming initial impression, but the general idea is that you can set the File Explorer view options you want under Global and then click Submit to get those settings applied absolutely everywhere. But you can also fine tune the view settings on a folder type basis, hence the need to show the whole list of folder types. There are also a number of fine tuning options in the Options screen.

However, the feature of having column heading views shown in all views (not just Details) is not currently a WinSetView feature. I didn't even know that was possible. I'm now going to look at adding that feature to WinSetView. Once that's done, I'll post step by step instructions for using the app to set that option.

LesFerch · 13 Dec 2021

KeithM said:

I've been unable to get this to "stick" with saved views/custom defaults. However, the PowerShell code could be added to the folder background context menu and/or an option such as Open with column headers could be added to the context menu for folders.

@KeithM Back in 2008, you posted here with a message that seems to indicate that it's possible: how-to-fix-fflags-for-all-folder

Is it just an issue with this particular feature or all FFLAGS that they don't seem to work as defaults?

KeithM · 13 Dec 2021

LesFerch said:

@KeithM Back in 2008, you posted here with a message that seems to indicate that it's possible: how-to-fix-fflags-for-all-folder

Is it just an issue with this particular feature or all FFLAGS that they don't seem to work as defaults?

Sherman, you should never get in the Way-Back Machine without Mr. Peabody!!!

You saw my update that I haven't been able to get this to stick, right?

I haven't systematically tested. Not sure it would be worthwhile, as MS is prone to change things.

As I'm sure you've seen in the documentationn, many have gone the way of the Dodo.

A quick test just revealed that at least one that could cause a user to panic, NoSubfolders, can be perpetuated!

LesFerch · 13 Dec 2021

KeithM said:

Sherman, you should never get in the Way-Back Machine without Mr. Peabody!!!

KeithM said:

You saw my update that I haven't been able to get this to stick, right?

Yup. Just hoping that there was maybe some nugget in your 2008 post that you'd forgotten (I know, not likely).

KeithM said:

A quick test just revealed that at least one that could cause a user to panic, NoSubfolders, can be perpetuated!

Yeah, that's one we don't need getting scripted.

LesFerch · 16 Dec 2021

KeithM said:

Code:

@((New-Object -Com shell.application).Windows()) | ForEach{
    $_.Document.FolderFlags = ($_.Document.FolderFlags -band 0x10111111)
    $_.Refresh()
}

That should show the column headers in the File Explorer window. If you close and re-open that folder, they should persist.

The code will work on multiple open windows.

If this were to be implemented as a right-click folder context command, it would be desirable to have it only affect the current window. Any idea how that can be accomplished?

KeithM · 16 Dec 2021

LesFerch said:

If this were to be implemented as a right-click folder context command, it would be desirable to have it only affect the current window. Any idea how that can be accomplished?

You'd have to dig into APIs for that.

But given that the OP wannted this as default behavior, I think displaying the headers in all open wiindows would be fine with them.

Here's the .reg file for that:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\Shell\ShowColumnHeaders]
@="Column headers in all views"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\Shell\ShowColumnHeaders\Command]
@="powershell -Command \"@((New-Object -Com shell.application).Windows() | ? Name -eq 'File Explorer').ForEach({ $_.Document.FolderFlags = ($_.Document.FolderFlags -band 0xfeffffff) ; $_.Refresh() })\""

LesFerch · 16 Dec 2021

@KeithM Thanks for the reg file! I made some minor modifications to make it run without popping up a console window, added an icon, and changed the key to HKCU:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\Shell\ShowColumnHeaders]
@="Column headers in all views"
"icon"="explorer.exe"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\Shell\ShowColumnHeaders\Command]
@="cmd /c start /min \"\" PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -WindowStyle Hidden -NoLogo -Command \"@((New-Object -Com shell.application).Windows() | ? Name -eq 'File Explorer').ForEach({ $_.Document.FolderFlags = ($_.Document.FolderFlags -band 0xfeffffff) ; $_.Refresh() })\""

But the missing piece is how to switch back to showing headings for Details view only. Ideally the script would be a toggle, but it would be okay to have a second menu item, such as "Column headers in Details view only". I just haven't been able to figure out the correct bit operation for the FolderFlags. It works with $_.Document.FolderFlags = 0x01000000 but that wouldn't preserve any other flags.

KeithM · 17 Dec 2021

LesFerch said:

@KeithM Thanks for the reg file! I made some minor modifications to make it run without popping up a console window, added an icon, and changed the key to HKCU:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\Shell\ShowColumnHeaders]
@="Column headers in all views"
"icon"="explorer.exe"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\Background\Shell\ShowColumnHeaders\Command]
@="cmd /c start /min \"\" PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -WindowStyle Hidden -NoLogo -Command \"@((New-Object -Com shell.application).Windows() | ? Name -eq 'File Explorer').ForEach({ $_.Document.FolderFlags = ($_.Document.FolderFlags -band 0xfeffffff) ; $_.Refresh() })\""

But the missing piece is how to switch back to showing headings for Details view only. Ideally the script would be a toggle, but it would be okay to have a second menu item, such as "Column headers in Details view only". I just haven't been able to figure out the correct bit operation for the FolderFlags. It works with $_.Document.FolderFlags = 0x01000000 but that wouldn't preserve any other flags.

The headers disappear so easily (navigate up or down & back, close & re-open) that I don't think it's worth it. However, examining how a flag is set while presefving the other flags:

$_.Document.FolderFlags = ($_.Document.FolderFlags -band 0xfeffffff)

should've reminded you that you're looking for a bit-wise operation:

$_.Document.FolderFlags = ($_.Document.FolderFlags -bor 0x01000000)

LesFerch · 17 Dec 2021

KeithM said:

examining how a flag is set while preserving the other flags:
$_.Document.FolderFlags = ($_.Document.FolderFlags -band 0x10111111)
should've reminded you that you're looking for a bit-wise operation:
$_.Document.FolderFlags = ($_.Document.FolderFlags -bor 0x01000000)

Doh! Brain fart. Thanks.

KeithM said:

The headers disappear so easily (navigate up or down & back, close & re-open) that I don't think it's worth it.

Right! When you said "didn't stick" I thought you meant as a default. I see it doesn't stick period. Yeah, no need for an off switch in that case.

KeithM · 17 Dec 2021

LesFerch said:

Doh! Brain fart. Thanks.

Right! When you said "didn't stick" I thought you meant as a default. I see it doesn't stick period. Yeah, no need for an off switch in that case.

Had a brain-fart of my own! the -band mask has to be 0xfeffffff! I corrected my posts, please edit yours where necessary...