Re: Default view of folders reverts back to previous settings.

On Sun, 1 Apr 2007 16:26:02 -0700, Andre
>cquirke, on your questions:

:>Results can vary depending on exactly how you did this. Did you:
:> - edit registry directly via Regedit?
:> - use a 3rd-party tweaker?
:> - rt-drag the location to E:, Move, and possibly rename it there?
:> - rt-click the namespace object and change the Location property?
:> - other?

>I changed the location of the "special folders" (Documents, Music, etc)
>using the provided Location tab on the folder's properties, that is included
>on Vista. I removed the duplicated by allowing Vista to move the contents
>from the old folder to the new one. Vista does the job well.

OK; that's the safest way to do it in my experience, as well. You
should have no inappropriate back-refs from Desktop.ini left in the
old location, and the move should be registry-tracked to update
forward refs (from CLSID to file system) too.

>My only quarrel over this customization scheme is what I explained before,
>and I think Keith got it. I'll give some more details.

>I customize my Downloads folder (that contais all kinds of files) to view
>with Details, with the filesize column right next to the name column. I use
>this customization as my default customization for all folders except
>Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music. I'm glad that when I hit "Apply to all
>Folders" on Folder Options, Vista will apply it only to the other folders
>that share the same Template. XP applies to all folders indeed, removing my
>customizations to the folders I mentioned above.

OK, with you so far...

>What I wanted, and Vista doesn't do, is to have the same customization on my
>Downloads folder applied to a new folder I create, or to a DVD I insert.

Ah, that's a familiar database concept that the OS writers just don't
seem to get - control over things that don't yet exist.

In database, you often need to lock an item so you can update it,
without another instance (copy) of that item being updated somewhere
else. Typically you have read ops that may or may not lock an item,
and write ops that may or may not release an item, as well as an
explicit unlock operation so that the process can be abandoned.

In order to reduce the critical period (during which an item is
locked), as well as a way to do finer-grained locking (e.g. field
locking rather than record locking), you may do this:
- read-lock item, store in a variable
- release item
- edit item at your own pace
- read-lock item, compare each field with original and edited
- case current = original = edited, release (no write needed)
- case current = original != edited, commit edited
- case current != original = edited, commit current
- case current != original != edited, you have contention:
- commit current
- warn user that changes will be lost
- user can save edited copy locally as "memo" etc.
In the above, "commit" implies also "release lock".

But what if an item doesn't exist, there's nothing to lock, right? I
can just create it and write it, without bothering to check if it's
locked, right? (BTW, a good database language compells you to use
syntax like "read xxxx else if locked do yyyy").

The problem is that an item of same ID may be created while you are
creating yours, so one has to be able to lock items that don't exist.

More to the point, the behaviour applied to items that have not yet
been encountered, has to be controlable. Just as every new user
accound should be born with user-preset behaviors and settings (as
opposed to MS defaults), so every newly-found disk drive etc. should
start off witrh user-defined behaviors.

Given that newly-discovered items arise from outside the system, these
behaviors should be safety-orientated. NOTHING is known, or can be
ASSumed, about a CDR or USB stick that's inserted into the drive, or a
new HD that's discovered in the system! It may not be safe to even
real, let alone write to, or run code from it, etc.

Vista sooooo does not get this... :-(

>what would be ideal, wicked, smoking ( ) was if Windows ignored any
>temporary customization I make on these folders.

It could track customizations as Win9x tracks changes applied to the
Properties of DOS programs on diskettes. Win9x has a subdir called
"PIF" that stores .PIF for such programs, holding their Properties in
them. It's a bit wonky, in that if you set Properties for a file
called BLOB.EXE in the root of disk A:, and you insert a different
disk with a different file that also happens to be called BLOB.EXE and
it's also in the root, then the second prog gets the first prog's
Properties. Too trusting for the 21st century.

>For example, I insert a DVD and it shows as Details (like my default
>Downloads folder). But some files on this DVD have big names, so I
>pull the name column a little bit to view them.

OK...

>If I closed Explorer's window and reopened it, Windows would default back to
>my Downloads folder customization.

OK. Prolly better than applying the new wider columns to everything
else that uses "no template".

>Now, I know Microsoft wants to help us, so Windows memorizes the
>DVD folder customization and when I come back the name column
>will be as wide as I had set. That would be ok *IF* Windows didn't
>lose any customization I made on other folders.

Yyyyeees....

>One day (that day already reached me on Vista, unfortunately) I'll
>lose my customization on my Downloads folder. So I'll have to set
>it all again. When I do that, I'll lose my customizations on the
>Documents folder, so I set it again.

That's a good argument to follow the rule that per-instance data
should be stored per-instance, and not in some finite global store.
The .PIF strategy for removable diskettes mentioned above, violates
this rule; though at least the global store used is not capped, it's
still subject to same-name collisions and spoofability.

>What I think would be a nice idea was if Windows stored a customization for
>each folder I change, no matter how many of them there is.

That's attainable by storing these in the location itself.

But that way of slicing and dicing causes a scalability and
(spoofability, cross-access) risk somewhere else; what if there are a
large number of different user accounts banging away at the same
stuff? Does a USB stick used in 200 PCs accumulate 200 different
settings? What if users and PCs have the same names?

>If I modified this folder then Windows would store its proprietary
>settings in the registy.

I don't like to treat the registry as an unlimited resource,
especially for holding trivia such as column widths, so I'd like the
ability to disable such tracking. I'm also nervous about the system
taking orders (even trivial orders) from external material.

>If I deleted this folder, Windows would delete its customization from
>the registry as well. Removable storage could have a session
>customization that would be stored as long as the media was
>inserted. When the media is removed so are the settings and
>the default one is applied when a new media is inserted.

Ah - so you aren't trying to track changes across sessions for the
same removable storage... I thought that was an objective.



>------------ ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
The most accurate diagnostic instrument
in medicine is the Retrospectoscope
>------------ ----- ---- --- -- - - - -

Cquirke, you got it. Just to clear out any questions.

> >If I deleted this folder, Windows would delete its customization from
> >the registry as well. Removable storage could have a session
> >customization that would be stored as long as the media was
> >inserted. When the media is removed so are the settings and
> >the default one is applied when a new media is inserted.
>
> Ah - so you aren't trying to track changes across sessions for the
> same removable storage... I thought that was an objective.

Well, I would like Windows didn't track changes across sessions rather than
losing any other customization I have. I like to stress that out because I
already had to customize a folder twice on Vista. I don't like Windows
loosing my customizations. I'm sorry, but it is somehow a waste of time
having to set the columns properly (not all columns I like were showing up),
then setting their places and so on. In the future I will give up customizing
everything over and over again. I just thought Windows could have a better
way to deal with this.

Just today, not two hours before this post, I created a new folder and there
was Tiles again. So unnerving. But I didn't use Keith's registry
suggestion yet. I will, though, as soon as I get home.

Thank you again,
Andre

On Mon, 2 Apr 2007 15:06:05 -0700, Andre
>Cquirke, you got it. Just to clear out any questions.

>> >If I deleted this folder, Windows would delete its customization from
>> >the registry as well. Removable storage could have a session
>> >customization ...When the media is removed so are the settings and
>> >the default one is applied when a new media is inserted.
>>
>> Ah - so you aren't trying to track changes across sessions for the
>> same removable storage... I thought that was an objective.
>
>Well, I would like Windows didn't track changes across sessions rather than
>losing any other customization I have. I like to stress that out because I
>already had to customize a folder twice on Vista. I don't like Windows
>loosing my customizations.

What you want, is this "Manage" button feature...

http://cquirke.mvps.org/savereg.htm

....that MS has yet to create :-/

>I'm sorry, but it is somehow a waste of time having to set the columns
>properly (not all columns I like were showing up), then setting their
>places and so on.

What you're highlighting is that as one can do more to tailor the
folder display, the impact of having these changes thrown away becomes
unacceptable. I agree, a better way is needed - but also one that
does not spawn such data for other folders that are not customized,
else we have a scalability and/or bloat issue.

>Just today, not two hours before this post, I created a new folder and there
>was Tiles again.

Bah! I'm a "show me lots of file names quickly" type of dude - if I
want more info, I'll ask (select and Status, or rt-click Properties)



>-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
Tip Of The Day:
To disable the 'Tip of the Day' feature...
>-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -

"cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)" wrote:
> What you want, is this "Manage" button feature...
>
> http://cquirke.mvps.org/savereg.htm

Thank you Mr. Quirke. Now that you've shown me this I remembered that my
workstation at work runs Windows 2000. And Windows 2000 deals with
customizations waaaaaay better than Vista. I was just observing this today.
It does exactely what I wanted. I know it is not the same I described on that
e-mai, that was just an idea. But it handles customizations the way I
expected, the way I would be really, really pleased to see on Vista.

I'm using Keith's reg now. I haven't created any new folder yet but, for
now, Windows seems to be behaving well. Keith, if you're still reading,
could you tell me if it is possible to have the best of both worlds? I mean,
I've noticed that Win2K doesn't have templates, but I like that my Music
folder, my Pictures folder and my Videos folder look different than the rest.
So, could I have the templates applied to those folders and make the rest
behave like Windows 2000? Thank you.

> What you're highlighting is that as one can do more to tailor the
> folder display, the impact of having these changes thrown away becomes
> unacceptable. I agree, a better way is needed - but also one that
> does not spawn such data for other folders that are not customized,
> else we have a scalability and/or bloat issue.

Indeed, that's why I mentioned Windows shouldn't store non customized
folders. They would have a "default" customization applied.

> Bah! I'm a "show me lots of file names quickly" type of dude - if I
> want more info, I'll ask (select and Status, or rt-click Properties)

Well, I am not. But Windows should please us both, shouldn't it?

Andre

"Andre" <Andre@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:48CCD9F6-FECA-4DC7-80F3-C8DD8FEF68FE@microsoft.com...
>
> I'm using Keith's reg now. I haven't created any new folder yet but, for
> now, Windows seems to be behaving well. Keith, if you're still reading,
> could you tell me if it is possible to have the best of both worlds? I
> mean,
> I've noticed that Win2K doesn't have templates, but I like that my Music
> folder, my Pictures folder and my Videos folder look different than the
> rest.
> So, could I have the templates applied to those folders and make the rest
> behave like Windows 2000? Thank you.

All folders are using some sort of template. 'All Items' is the most
generic, so set an 'All Items' folder to the view you want to be your
'default' view & use the 'Apply to Folders' option. Even with the
'AllFolders' reg key in place, you still have the option to customize your
Pictures folder back to the 'Pics & Vid' template, and can use the 'Apply
this template to all subfolders option' as well.


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

Well, I think that settles my problem then. I'm still testing. Will report
back later.

Thank you for all the help Keith.

Andre

"Keith Miller MVP" wrote:

> All folders are using some sort of template. 'All Items' is the most
> generic, so set an 'All Items' folder to the view you want to be your
> 'default' view & use the 'Apply to Folders' option. Even with the
> 'AllFolders' reg key in place, you still have the option to customize your
> Pictures folder back to the 'Pics & Vid' template, and can use the 'Apply
> this template to all subfolders option' as well.

You're welcome. Keep us posted.

--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

"Andre" <Andre@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6E9C8073-51A0-4F8D-AEF1-A62D841A0FC2@microsoft.com...
> Well, I think that settles my problem then. I'm still testing. Will report
> back later.
>
> Thank you for all the help Keith.
>
> Andre
>
> "Keith Miller MVP" wrote:
>
>> All folders are using some sort of template. 'All Items' is the most
>> generic, so set an 'All Items' folder to the view you want to be your
>> 'default' view & use the 'Apply to Folders' option. Even with the
>> 'AllFolders' reg key in place, you still have the option to customize
>> your
>> Pictures folder back to the 'Pics & Vid' template, and can use the 'Apply
>> this template to all subfolders option' as well.

Well Keith, it seems that with your registry modification (disable content
sniffing) and the use of templates I could make Windows Vista behave the way
I expected. Finally! Now new folders are created with the view I wanted and
it seems Windows is not losing customizations on my "different" folders (that
used to bother me as well). Probably because it is not saving any different
customizations in registry anymore.

Just one more question. Keith, if I wanted to restore Windows Explorer
customizations back to Windows post installation default (that is, no
modifications at all) can I simply delete the entries on
HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
and BagMRU?

Thank you for all the help. I do appreciate it.

Andre

"Keith Miller MVP" wrote:

> You're welcome. Keep us posted.
>
> --
> Good Luck,
>
> Keith
> Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

Glad to here it's all sorted.

To restore to default state, you would need to delete the two keys you
mentioned as well as this key:

"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults"

and the value named 'Settings' under:

"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams"


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

"Andre" <Andre@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B042727A-9D5F-44D0-B9E7-A86A650BB3EC@microsoft.com...
> Well Keith, it seems that with your registry modification (disable content
> sniffing) and the use of templates I could make Windows Vista behave the
> way
> I expected. Finally! Now new folders are created with the view I wanted
> and
> it seems Windows is not losing customizations on my "different" folders
> (that
> used to bother me as well). Probably because it is not saving any
> different
> customizations in registry anymore.
>
> Just one more question. Keith, if I wanted to restore Windows Explorer
> customizations back to Windows post installation default (that is, no
> modifications at all) can I simply delete the entries on
> HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
> and BagMRU?
>
> Thank you for all the help. I do appreciate it.
>
> Andre
>
> "Keith Miller MVP" wrote:
>
>> You're welcome. Keep us posted.
>>
>> --
>> Good Luck,
>>
>> Keith
>> Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

Glad to HEAR...!!! I'm so embarassed!!!!


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

"Keith Miller MVP" <k.miller79@no.spam.verizon.net> wrote in message
news:eUsXU%23KeHHA.4688@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Glad to here it's all sorted.
>
> To restore to default state, you would need to delete the two keys you
> mentioned as well as this key:
>
> "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults"
>
> and the value named 'Settings' under:
>
> "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams"
>
>
> --
> Good Luck,
>
> Keith
> Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
>
> "Andre" <Andre@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B042727A-9D5F-44D0-B9E7-A86A650BB3EC@microsoft.com...
>> Well Keith, it seems that with your registry modification (disable
>> content
>> sniffing) and the use of templates I could make Windows Vista behave the
>> way
>> I expected. Finally! Now new folders are created with the view I wanted
>> and
>> it seems Windows is not losing customizations on my "different" folders
>> (that
>> used to bother me as well). Probably because it is not saving any
>> different
>> customizations in registry anymore.
>>
>> Just one more question. Keith, if I wanted to restore Windows Explorer
>> customizations back to Windows post installation default (that is, no
>> modifications at all) can I simply delete the entries on
>> HKCU\Software\Classes\Local
>> Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
>> and BagMRU?
>>
>> Thank you for all the help. I do appreciate it.
>>
>> Andre
>>
>> "Keith Miller MVP" wrote:
>>
>>> You're welcome. Keep us posted.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Good Luck,
>>>
>>> Keith
>>> Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
>