Welcome to Vista Forums we are your forum to discuss Windows Vista x64 and x86 systems. Whether you need help or just want to post an idea you have on Vista, this is the forum for you.
Register at Vista forums...the world biggest Windows Vista resource Join Vista Forums
Go Back   Vista Forums > Vista Forums > Tutorials
Join Now FAQ Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates

Poll: Did this Tutorial help and work for you?
Poll Options
Did this Tutorial help and work for you?

Comment
 
Tutorial Tools Display Modes
<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates<!-- google_ad_section_end -->
Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates
How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista
Published by Brink
07-13-2007

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.jpgRight_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
Published by
Brink's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 11,264
Rep Power: 200
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute

Tutorial Tools

Applies to
All Vista Versions
64 Bit & 32 Bit

Rating
Skill Level
60%60%60%
3

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Did this help?
Old 08-10-2007  
JPSnuffy
Newbie
JPSnuffy is on a distinguished road
 
JPSnuffy's Avatar
 
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,
JPSnuffy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2007  
Brink
Administrator
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
 
Brink's Avatar
 
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.
Please post feedback to help others.
Brink is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2007  
JPSnuffy
Newbie
JPSnuffy is on a distinguished road
 
JPSnuffy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Windows Vista 64 Ultimate Edition
Posts: 2

Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Re: Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates

Quote:
brink
View Post
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
JPSnuffy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2007  
Brink
Administrator
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
 
Brink's Avatar
 
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.
Please post feedback to help others.
Brink is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2007  
Borna_mir
Newbie
Borna_mir is on a distinguished road
 
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.
Borna_mir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2007  
Brink
Administrator
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
 
Brink's Avatar
 
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.
Please post feedback to help others.
Brink is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2007  
Borna_mir
Newbie
Borna_mir is on a distinguished road
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Vista home premium
Posts: 8

Re: Windows Explorer - Folder Type Templates

Thanks alot shawn, It worked fine.
You're the best!!!
Borna_mir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2007  
Brink
Administrator
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
 
Brink's Avatar
 
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.
Please post feedback to help others.
Brink is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Comment
Tags: explorer, folder, templates, type, windows



Tutorial Tools
Display Modes





Google
 


Vistax64.com is an independent web site and has not been authorized,
sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.
"Windows Vista", the Start Orb, and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
© Vistax64.com 2005-2008
Tutorial powered by GARS 2.1.8m ©2005-2006

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44