This can be an annoying issue if you have all your files organized neatly (read: obsessively) into many, many folders and sub-folders. So what if you could change the way Windows 10 displays files in folders based on type? Luckily, there is an easy fix.
How to Change Folder View Globally in Windows 10 File Explorer
This is one of many Windows 10 File Explorer tricks and tweaks you can use to get more out of your work. To change the folder view in Windows 10 globally, you first have to set things up in a specific folder.
Navigate to a folder which contains the files you want viewed in a specific style. You can change other factors depending on the specific view. For instance, in Windows’ detailed view, you can add and remove columns and change their size. These options will then be applied to all folders containing files of the same type. Go to the View tab on the Windows Explorer Ribbon. You can toggle the Ribbon on and off by click on the arrow in the top right of the screen or with the shortcut Ctrl + F1. Click the arrow under Options on the far right of the View tab, and click on Change folder and search options. A pop-up window for Folder Options will open, presenting you with General, View, and Search tabs. Under the View tab, click on the Apply to Folders option.
That’s it! All folders containing this file type will be adjusted to your preferred view. You can check by navigating to another folder with files of the same type.
How to Set the Default Global View for All Folders in Windows 10
With the method above, you’ll still have to change the folder view for each file type. This can be tedious if you want to set one global view for all file types in Windows 10. To truly get the most out of File Explorer, you’ll need an external application.
WinSetView is a standalone app that doesn’t require installation. It is an easy way to globally set Windows Explorer folder views. To set the default folder view using WinSetView, follow the steps below.
Download the compressed file from the link above, extract it, and run the WinSetView. hta file. Select the language you want to use. This option should default to the language you picked when installing Windows 10, but you can change it here. Under the Global option, select the view you want for most of your folders. If you choose any of the icons options, you can manually set the size by typing it into the box on the right. You can also choose which columns you see with some folder view types. If you are alright with the ones WinSetView uses as default, you’re all set. If you want to change the columns that appear in File Explorer, click on the Columns box. This will bring up a window to select column headings. You can choose which you want and you can even order and group them. Go back once you’ve selected the columns you want. To set a default folder view for other folders such as Downloads, Documents, and Pictures, uncheck the Inherit box and set your preferred folder views here as well. When you’re happy with what you have, click on the Submit box at the top and you will have set the default folder view globally on your Windows 10 machine.
See Your Files How You Want
Now you know how to change your folder views in Windows 10, either for a specific file type via the File Explorer options, or with a third party application on a more global scale. If you’re not comfortable about using an external app, simply use Microsoft’s built-in method to view your files how you want them.
