Want to change File Explorer default View from "Details" to "List"


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #1

    Want to change File Explorer default View from "Details" to "List"


    Hi all,

    I have been searching the web for an answer to this question since first getting Windows 10 last year. I would like my File Explorer to open using the "List" view rather than the current default of "Details". I have seen many responses that reference how to change the default view template from Documents to Music, Pictures, ..., but none that actually address this question. Is there a way to do this at all in Win10?

    I'm thinking of changing Documents template for Details to remove all columns except for Name. The Details view as it currently has been useful in the past so I hate to lose it all together.

    Am I SOL in my request? Thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 460
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #2

    Open File Explorer, in the menu bar click view > choose your view (mine is medium icons)

    To get the menu bar (if you don't have it showing) put the cursor in the top window bar, right click, click Menu bar. On mine it's the first choice.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #3

    There are default views for each folder type (General, Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos)

    To change the default view, navigate to the User folder of that type
    Arrange the view how you want it (list, details, columns, sort .... )
    Press the BLUE File menu
    Select options
    Press the view tab
    Press the Apply to Folders button

    Want to change  File Explorer default View from "Details" to "List"-optsfolder.png

    This only applies your preferences to folders of that type - it does not affect folders of other types.

    Follow the same procedure for all folder types that you want to change.

    Navigate to your Downloads folder to set your preferences on a General folder type.

    Close File Explorer

    Test if the changes stuck. You might have to restart Windows Exlporer
    Task manager
    Scroll down to Explorer
    press the restart button in the lower right

    Test to see if the changes stuck
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 460
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #4

    Thanks for posting a clarification Slartybart, I don't remember ever having done that.

    I set mine to medium icons via the "view" on File Explorer at some point in the past and they've stayed that way.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #5

    CmmTch said:
    Thanks for posting a clarification Slartybart, I don't remember ever having done that.

    I set mine to medium icons via the "view" on File Explorer at some point in the past and they've stayed that way.
    You're welcome - I think 925bum wants more customization. If it's just a matter of list versus icons, then your method works.

    Windows might make a determination of the folder view if pictures are in a documents folder and change the view - there's a way to stop that in the tutorial section.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    OMG Thank You!


    This is exactly the answer I needed. I had given up hope there would ever be a working answer to my question.
    Thank you so much.
    Microsoft sure didn't make it easy to find this.



    Slartybart said:
    There are default views for each folder type (General, Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos)

    To change the default view, navigate to the User folder of that type
    Arrange the view how you want it (list, details, columns, sort .... )
    Press the BLUE File menu
    Select options
    Press the view tab
    Press the Apply to Folders button
    Want to change  File Explorer default View from "Details" to "List"-optsfolder.png

    This only applies your preferences to folders of that type - it does not affect folders of other types.

    Follow the same procedure for all folder types that you want to change.

    Navigate to your Downloads folder to set your preferences on a General folder type.

    Close File Explorer

    Test if the changes stuck. You might have to restart Windows Exlporer
    Task manager
    Scroll down to Explorer
    press the restart button in the lower right

    Test to see if the changes stuck
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #7

    Please see the tool in Option 2 here:
    Set Default Folder View for all Folders in Windows 10

    Developed by memder LesFerch especially to address setting file explorer default view.
      My Computers


 

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