Vista Tutorial - Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates

**Brink** · **OPTION:**

How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista

Information

Vista has six default folder templates you can choose and change for the type of file folders you have in a Windows Explorer window. By default Vista will automatically assign a Folder Type Template to the Explorer window according to what type of files it contains. However, Vista will only use the default Folder Templates for external devices each time you open them since Vista will not remember the folder view settings when you turn off or remove the external media.

NOTE

You may need to reset Windows Explorer folder view settings to make Vista remember the folder template and view changes you make. For how, see: Windows Explorer Folder View settings

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE #1 All Items template:

EXAMPLE #2 Contacts template:
NOTE: Only available in the C:\Users\(user name)\Contacts folder.

EXAMPLE #3 Documents template:

EXAMPLE #4 Pictures and Videos template:

EXAMPLE #5 Music Details template:

EXAMPLE #6 Music Icons template:

Here's How:

1. Open a Explorer window that you want to change the folder type template for.
NOTE: To change the root directory (Computer or Local Disk C: ) template, open the Users folder in Local Disk C: . The changes in Users will be applied to the root directory as well. Be sure to also do the Apply to All Folder Type Templates section below, or it will not apply to the Computer or Local Disk C: location.

2. If you want to change all the folders templates in the current window then:
A) Click on View or right click in a empty area of the window.

B) Click on Customize This Folder. (See screenshots below)

3. If you want to change just a single folder template in the current window then:
A) Right click on the folder.

B) Click on Properties.

4. Click on the Customize tab. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Check Also apply this template to all subfolders if you want to change the templates for the subfolders in this folder as well.

5. Click on the drop down menu and choose a template. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: See the template screenshots at top.

6. Click on OK to apply and close properties window.

7. Your template has been applied.

OPTION:
How to Apply the Changes to All the Same Folder Type Templates

NOTE

This is to apply the changes made to all windows of the same folder template as the current Windows Explorer window.

WARNING

You must open Folder Options from within the same Windows Explorer window that you are changing or it will not work.

1. Click on Tools on the Menu bar and click on Folder Options.

2. Click on the View tab. (See screeshot below)

3. Check Remember each folder's view settings.
NOTE: If unchecked, Vista will ignore custom view settings for every folder and have every folder open using default settings instead. Only, uncheck this setting to force all folders to stop using display settings you have specified.

4. Click on Apply.

5. Click on the Apply to Folders button.

6. Click on Yes to the confirmation prompt. (See screenshot below)

7. Click on OK. (See screenshot above)

That's it,
Shawn

JPSnuffy · 08-10-2007

Fantastic, great walk-through on this setup, but now I have a challenge.

I want to apply folder settings to a folder and all sub folders. Here is the setup.
I want to setup my Pictures folder to add a column with the Group By 'type' and have this propagate to all of the sub folders, but alas I can only get it done on one folder at a time...very painful. Is there some secret folder Group By, Sort By, Stack By dialog that I have missed?

Thanks,

**Brink** · 08-11-2007

Hi JPSnuffy,

Welcome to the forum.

I believe this might work for you. When your in the Picture folder, set the columns the way you want them for that particular folder type template.
Then: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/84215-folder-options.html
1. Open Folder Options.
2. Click View tab.
3. Click Apply to Folders.
4. Click Ok.

This will apply the way you set the Picture folder to all folders of the same folder type template.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

JPSnuffy · 08-11-2007

	Quote:	brink
	Hi JPSnuffy, Welcome to the forum. Hope this helps, Shawn

Yes, that worked like a charm. I knew what I wanted it to do but just couldn't find the setting while I had the folder open I wanted to apply it to.

Thanks for the welcome and the answer! Great forum!

Glenn

**Brink** · 08-11-2007

Your welcome Glenn.

Glad to hear it worked for you, and thank you for the feedback.

Shawn

Borna_mir · 10-11-2007

Hi There:

I have encountered a problem, I hope you would be able to help me.
My Root directory (Local drive C) has been given the "Music type template" by windows vista without my interference. It's obvious that I want it to be "All Items template"!!!! how can I change this?
there is no customize option on root directory to change the template type, I also tried your hint above: "To change the root directory (Computer or Local Disk C: ) template, open the Users folder in Local Disk C: . The changes in Users will be applied to the root directory as well." but this only changes the view settings (icon or list or ...) of all the folders of the same type, and does not change the template type of local drive C!!

Thanks in advance.

**Brink** · 10-11-2007

Hi Borna Mir,

You will probably need to reset the folder view settings first. Do all of method two in this tutorial below. The download will be the easiest way of doing this.

How to Reset Windows Explorer Folder View Settings to Make Vista Remember

When done resetting, try changing the template again for the Root Directory C:\ using the above method.

Shawn

Borna_mir · 10-12-2007

Thanks alot shawn, It worked fine.

You're the best!!!

**Brink** · 10-12-2007

Your welcome Borna,

Glad to hear your problem is fixed.

Shawn

etodem · 05-25-2008

Hi! I want to have documents folders where the navigation thing on the left dsoesn't show.
However if I just hide it (folder design option) Then for all folders REGARDLESS OF TYPE the navigation (that is, the tree...) is gone too; if I restore for instance after opening the windows explorer, then it comes back again in all folders, including the ones with "document" type I wanted different.
How's one solve that?