Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates

**Brink**

How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista

INFO: Vista has six default templates you can choose and customize for the type of file folders you have in a Explorer window. By default Vista will assign the Folder Type Template to the Explorer window according to what type of files it contains unless you change it. However, Vista will still probably only revert to the default Folder Templates for external devices each time you open them.

WHY: You have a Explorer window with the wrong folder type template or you just want to change it.

NOTE: You may need to reset Windows Explorer folder view settings to make Vista remember the changes you make. See related link 1 for how. External devices will not retain their folder view settings when turned off or disconnected from the computer.

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Reset Windows Explorer Folder View Settings to Make Vista Remember

2. How to Change a Default Open Window Size for a Shortcut in Vista

3. How to Change Windows Explorer Default Open Location

4. How to Use the Windows Explorer Address Bar in Vista

5. How to Enable or Disable the Menu Bar in Vista

6. How to Change the Windows Explorer Columns and Sort Order in Vista

7. How to Turn the Preview Pane On or Off in Vista

8. How to Turn the Navigation Pane On or Off in Vista

9. How to Change the Sort Order for Numbers in File and Folder Names in Vista

10. How to Hide or Show File Names in Vista

11. How to Enable or Disable Full Row Select in Vista Windows Explorer

EXAMPLE #1 All Items template:
All_Items.jpg

EXAMPLE #2 Contacts template:
Contacts.jpg

EXAMPLE #3 Documents template:
Documents.jpg

EXAMPLE #4 Pictures and Videos template:
Pictures_Videos.jpg

EXAMPLE #5 Music Details template:
Music_Details.jpg

EXAMPLE #6 Music Icons template:
Music_Icons.jpg

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.

2. If you want to change all the folders templates in the current window then:
A) Click View or right click a empty area of the window.
B) Click Customize This Folder. (See screenshots below)

View.jpg Right_Click2.jpg

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

4. Click 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.

Properties1.jpg

5. Click the drop down menu and choose a template. (See screenshot below)

Properties2.jpg
NOTE: See the template screenshots at top.

6. Click OK to apply and close properties window.
7. Your template has been applied.

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 window.
WARNING: This must be done from within the window that you are changing, or it will not work.

1. Click Tools on the Menu bar and click Folder Options.
NOTE: See: How to Enable or Disable the Menu Bar in Vista
2. Click 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 Apply.
5. Click the Apply to Folders button.

Apply_to_Folders.jpg

6. Click Yes to the confirmation prompt. (See screenshot below)
7. Click OK. (See screenshot above)

Folder_Views_Confirmation.jpg

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

08-11-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 11,264 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates 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
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

08-11-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 11,264 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates Your welcome Glenn. Glad to hear it worked for you, and thank you for the feedback. Shawn
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

10-11-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 11,264 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates 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
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

10-12-2007
Brink Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 Posts: 11,264 Location: Texas, USA	Re: Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates Your welcome Borna, Glad to hear your problem is fixed. Shawn
	There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them. Vista Forums Please post feedback to help others.

Tutorial Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-10-2007
JPSnuffy Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Windows Vista 64 Ultimate Edition Posts: 2 Location: Colorado Springs, CO	Re: Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates 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,

10-11-2007
Borna_mir Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Vista home premium Posts: 8	Re: Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates 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.