Windows Explorer Folder View settings

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

   Information

Vista sets the Explorer window view settings and folder type template according to what folder types are in the window. This will show you how to reset the Windows Explorer folder view settings, turn off Automatic Folder Type Discovery, and increase the folder view cache to have Vista remember the view settings, folder type template, size, or position of a specific window for when it was last closed at the specific path location.

This does not work with the sub Save As, Open With, Open in New Tab (Internet Explorer), etc.... type dialog windows through the File menu bar item though. These do not seem to be able to have their size or position remembered. For these, you can use the free program AutoSizer to resize them.

   Note

• The Windows Explorer window pane Layout settings are universal for all window templates. These are the Search Pane, Details Pane, Preview Pane, and Navigation Pane. They can only be turned on or off for all windows with the same folder template. For example, the Music Details, Music Icons, Pictures and Videos, All Items, Contacts, and Documents.
• This will have no affect on the memory for the Open, Save, and Save As dialog boxes for having them open to the same location.
• External devices (EX: USB drive) will not retain their folder view settings when turned off or disconnected from the computer.

   Tip

It has been reported that installing the Vista SP2 has helped resolved this issue of Vista forgetting folder view settings for no apparent reason.

   Warning

The exact cause of Vista losing it's memory on your folder view settings has not been found yet. This may just reset them for now to help Vista remember them again. It has been noticed that changing a lot of window folder view settings in combination with some unknown applications settings may be triggering this forgetfulness. Make sure that you do not have a setting in a 3rd party program set to clear the folder view setting cache when it is used. (EX: CCleaner - Window Size/Location cache option under Cleaner -> Advanced)

METHOD ONE

Normal Way to Reset a Folder Type View Settings

   Note

This resets the folder view settings for all folders with this same folder template type back to the default view settings. You will need to use METHOD TWO below for Vista not remembering your settings for all the folder views.

1. Open Folder Options from the Control Panel (Classic View), and click on the View tab and Reset Folders button. (See screenshot below)​

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2. Click on Yes to the confirmation pop-up.​

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3. Click on OK to close Folder Options.​

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METHOD TWO

Reset All Folder View Settings to Make Vista Remember

   Note

• This resets all current folder view settings so they will be rebuilt when you restart.
• This will also bring back the Uninstall, Change, Repair, or Uninstall/Change buttons in Programs and Features if missing.

OPTION ONE

Automatically Using a REG File Download

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1. Click on the Download button below to download the Reset_Folder_View.zip file and save it to your desktop.

   Note

This .reg download includes and does all of the Manual section below for you automatically.

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2. Open the ZIP file and extract the Reset_Folder_View.reg file to your desktop.​

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3. Right click on the downloaded Reset_Folder_View.reg file and click on Merge.​

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4. Click on Run button in the Security Warning prompt.​

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5. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​

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6. Click on YES in the Confirmation prompt.​

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7. Click on OK in the Success prompt.​

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8. Go to step 29 in OPTION TWO below to finish wrapping this up.​

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OPTION TWO

Manually Through Registry Editor

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Reset Folder View Settings :​

1. Open the Start Menu.​

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2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​

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3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​

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4. In regedit, go to:​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

5. In the left pane, right click on Bags, and click on Delete. (See screenshot below)​

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A) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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6. In the left pane, right click on BagMRU, and click on Delete. (See screenshot below)​

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A) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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7. In regedit, go to:​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

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A) In the left pane, right click on BagMRU and click Delete. (See screenshot below step 8)​

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B) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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C) In the left pane, right click on Bags and click on Delete.​

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D) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

8. In regedit, go to:​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam

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A) In the left pane, right click on BagMRU if here and click Delete. (See screenshot below step 8)​

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B) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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C) In the left pane, right click on Bags if here and click on Delete.​

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D) Click on Yes in the confirmation pop-up window.​

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9. The registry will now look like this. (See screenshot below)​

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Disable Automatic Folder Type Discovery for Templates :​

CREDIT TO: Kristan Kenney: Confessions of a Windows Enthusiast

   Note

This will allow you to have what folder type template you set for the window instead of Vista automatically assigning a default template to it based on the contents of the window. This is when you have your folder template changed to Pictures and Videos from All Items when you put one image file in the folder.

   Note

OPTION: This is an optional section, but it is recommended. Steps 1-9 must have been done first before you do this section. If you decide to skip it, then go to step 21.​

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10. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

11. In the left pane, right click on Shell and click on New and Key.​

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12. Type Bags and press Enter. (See screenshots below)​

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13. In the left pane, right click on Bags and click New and Key.​

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14. Type AllFolders and press Enter. (See screenshots below)​

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15. In the left pane, right click AllFolders and click on New and Key.​

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16. Type Shell and press Enter. (See screenshots below)​

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17. In the right pane of Shell, right click on a empty area and click on New and String Value.​

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18. Type FolderType and press Enter. (See screenshot below)​

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19. In the right pane, right click on FolderType and click on Modify.​

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20. Type NotSpecified (or one below) and click on OK. (See screenshots below)​

   Tip

You can type any one of these values in bold below instead to apply the template as the default for all folder types. You will still be able to change a individual folder type template to what you want and have Vista remember it afterwards.

   Tip

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Value	Description
NotSpecified	All Items folder type template
Contacts	Contacts folder type template
Music	Music Details folder type template
MusicIcons	Music Icons folder type template
Documents	Documents folder type template
Pictures	Pictures and Videos folder type template with large icons

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Increase Folder View Cache Memory :

   Note

This will increase the amount of folders to be remembered for changes to the folder view settings.

   Note

OPTION: This is a optional step, but the increase will help ensure that Vista does not forget. Steps 1-9 must be done first before you do this section. If you decide to skip it, them go to step 25.​

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21. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

22. In the right pane, right click on BagMRU Size.​

NOTE: If you do not have the BagMRU Size value, then right click on a empty space in the right pane and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type in BagMRU Size and press enter.​

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23. Click on Modify.​

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24. Dot the Decimal and type 20000 (folders) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

   Note

5000 is the default number of folders to be remembered.

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Deleting Local Group Policy Setting :​

   Note

This will show you how to check to see if this Group Policy setting has been set to not save the position of open windows or the size and position of the taskbar when users log off, and to delete if it is so that the changed will now be remembered at exit.

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25. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer​

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26. In the right pane, look to see if you have NoSaveSettings. If you do, then right click on NoSaveSettings and click on Delete and Yes to confirm deletion. (See screenshot above)​

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27. In regedit, go to:​

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer​

28. Repeat step 26 if you have NoSaveSettings here as well.​

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Wrapping it Up :​

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29. Close regedit.​

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30. Log off and log on,or restart the computer to apply the reset and to let Vista rebuild the registry keys with a clean slate.​

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31. Open Folder Options.​

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A) Click on the View tab. (See screenshot below)​

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B) Check Remember each folder's view settings.​

   Warning

If left 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.

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C) Uncheck Restore previous folder windows at logon.​

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D) Click on OK.​

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32. Make the changes you want for the opened Windows Explorer windows.​

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33. To Apply These Changes to All the Same Folder Type Templates ​

   Tip

For more information on folder templates, see: How to Choose and Customize a Folder Type Template and Columns in Vista and How to Change the Windows Explorer Columns and Sort Order in Vista

A) Open Folder Options​

WARNING: Folder Options must be opened from within the same Windows Explorer window that you are changing or the Apply to Folders button will be grayed out.​

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B) Click on the View tab. (See screenshot below step 31D)​

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C) Click on the Apply to Folders button.​

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D) Click on Yes in the confirmation prompt.​

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E) Click on OK.​

34. To Apply Changes to Just this Window Template​

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A) Close the window when you make your changes to the Windows Explorer window to save the folder view settings for just that one window.

   Warning

Vista will only remember the way it is when you last closed the window.

35. To Apply Changes to All Window Templates​

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A) In step 20 above, you can change the default folder template used of (NotSpecified) to what you want instead for all folder templates without having to restart the computer again.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Back Up and Restore Your Folder View Settings in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Change a Windows Explorer Folder Type Template in Vista
• How to Change a Default Open Window Size for a Shortcut in Vista
• How to Change Windows Explorer Default Open Location
• How to Use the Windows Explorer Address Bar in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable the Menu Bar in Vista
• How to Change the Windows Explorer Columns and Sort Order in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Folder Options in Vista
• How to Turn the Preview Pane On or Off in Vista
• How to Turn the Navigation Pane On or Off in Vista
• How to Change the Sort Order for Numbers in File and Folder Names in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Auto-Hide for Vista Explorer Full Screen F11
• How to Hide or Show File Names in Vista
• How to Disable Auto Arrange in Vista Windows Explorer to have Free Sorting

 

[Brink]

Chris,

If there is, I haven't been able to find it yet.

 

[pdsnickles]

2 questions:

1) Does setting the bag size bigger have any negative affect? If not, why would it not be shipped with a higher number in the first place? Mine did seem to already be set at 20k except that it was in hexidecimal or whatever that other value was; but when I changed the box to "decimal" it automatically was at 20k.

2) MDidn't XP had the exact same problem EXCEPT that it seemed to remember some things better - at least after increasing the Bag value. So what value is too high? Should I set it at 40k and see if that helps? (But I am tending to agree with chris, that this is not the solution.)

I simply cannot imagine that they shipped Vista without fixing this problem; and more so that they haven't fixed it yet, here, 2 years down the road! It really speaks poorly for Microsoft. And "7" is worse with this issue?! I am really thinking my next computer might be a Mac...

 

[Brink]

Pdsnickles,

It's not a solution, but more of a workaround to see if that may or may not be your issue. You can test different sizes to see how it does for you, and adjust as needed if it helps.

 

[pdsnickles]

Pdsnickles,

It's not a solution, but more of a workaround to see if that may or may not be your issue. You can test different sizes to see how it does for you, and adjust as needed if it helps.

I tried doubling the bag value to 40k. I then logged off and made sure my Folder options were still set to remember views, and I went to my Music folder to re-set them to Details, size columns to fit, show bit rate, show size, title, artists and album. I told it to remember all Music template folders and subfolders with those details in the view.

I closed down and went to the next subfolder, and it's the same old thing:
It insists on showing me Ratings and Genre and NO bit rate nor size.

Brink, do you have any theories as to why this is happening? Has anyone gotten any word from MS as to this issue? Are they working on it? Do they plan to fix it? Is anyone anywhere working on a solution to this?

Is it because I am using several external drives? (though this folder in question is on a partition of my hd, not an external)

 

[Brink]

Mike,

I'm afraid that I'm out of ideas myself on this buggy issue with folder view settings. It seems that the more you change, the more likely it is to mess up on you. I do not know if Microsoft is working on it still or not. I would image that they would be though.

 

[bigdogchris]

Brink, do you have any theories as to why this is happening? Has anyone gotten any word from MS as to this issue? Are they working on it? Do they plan to fix it? Is anyone anywhere working on a solution to this?

In the Microsoft forums, developers acknowledge there is a reported problem but the one said they could not replicate it in a lab and they need it replicated to fix it.

 

[pdsnickles]

Thanks for that info, bigdogchris. Can you tell me here or pm me which forum that is? I would be willing to let them Remote view my computer to try and solve this! I replicate it every day! By the way, that XP "global" fix you talked about, never worked for me, either.

So, Brink, this problem does not happen with EVERYone's Vista? Is it more prevalent with one version of Vista than another, from your experience? I would be willing to change to a different Vista if necessary, to resolve this (if I was sure it would work).

 

[bigdogchris]

Thanks for that info, bigdogchris. Can you tell me here or pm me which forum that is? I would be willing to let them Remote view my computer to try and solve this! I replicate it every day! By the way, that XP "global" fix you talked about, never worked for me, either.

So, Brink, this problem does not happen with EVERYone's Vista? Is it more prevalent with one version of Vista than another, from your experience? I would be willing to change to a different Vista if necessary, to resolve this (if I was sure it would work).

Microsoft needs to replicate it in the lab so they can have debug data. Just showing them with a video really doesn't help them code wise.

As for the 'global' fix, I was merely saying that it would be nice if there was a setting to permanently disable auto-arrange, which I believe would solve this issue entirely.

 

[khay]

I am new to Vista (which I had no choice in getting on my new computer), and I have just begun to have this problem. After reading through quite a bit of these "solutions", I conclude that it will be better for me not to meddle with anything and just try to put up with this problem until it gets really bad or drives me crazy (because if I try to fix it in the various ways that are recommended, the problem may not improve, or may get worse, and will take quite a bit of my time).
Am I correct in this assessment?

And WHY is it so hard to find correct information on the problem? Why doesn't Microsoft even ACKNOWLEDGE the problem (ok, we all know the reason - they are only concerned with making a profit)....

 

[bigdogchris]

I am new to Vista (which I had no choice in getting on my new computer), and I have just begun to have this problem. After reading through quite a bit of these "solutions", I conclude that it will be better for me not to meddle with anything and just try to put up with this problem until it gets really bad or drives me crazy (because if I try to fix it in the various ways that are recommended, the problem may not improve, or may get worse, and will take quite a bit of my time).
Am I correct in this assessment?

Exactly. It's not guaranteed to work. I've done these fixes and just had it end up messing up again anyways. The fixes can last several months though.

And WHY is it so hard to find correct information on the problem? Why doesn't Microsoft even ACKNOWLEDGE the problem (ok, we all know the reason - they are only concerned with making a profit)....

I've read stuff strait from the horses mouth. Microsoft acknowledges people are reporting this issue but they said they can not recreate it in a lab environment in order to debug it. If they can't recreate it themselves they can't fix it.

They did however fix it for Windows 7. They fixed it by locking everything down. All folders are auto arranged by the OS and you have no control over it except how big your icons are. You can still drag icons around on your desktop though.

 

[Stunherald]

First of all, i rly thank you for this tutorial. This finally helps me to STOP the crazy automatic template changing. I'm happy to use only one type for all folder no matter what contains.

Second, i just need one more thing. In all of my files i'm using alphabetical sorting, but i have one folder, where i don't want sort the files/folders, i just want all new files/folders placed at the bottom of the folder and i want to make my own sorting.

In WindowsXP i can move any files/folders inside folder, make my own sort and when i close that window and open it again, i see exactly the same position.

But, in Vista, when i make my own changes, close window and open it again, Vista sorts the contain automaticaly Alphabetical.

This makes me so crazy, because it complicate my day work a LOT.

Any ideas?

Thank you for any help

 

[bigdogchris]

In that folder ..
Right click -> View ... make sure auto arrange is not checked
Right click -> Grouping - None
Right click -> Sorting - None

 

[Stunherald]

Tried that, but, this is not exactly what i mean. Disabling Auto arrange makes the icon "placeble" in every place incl over other icons. I just want to disable sorting, not auto-positioning icon.

In WinXP i have checked both options. Auto arrange and grid and it works without sorting.

EDIT: Hmmm, looks like my folder does not remember my settings at all. I set "Date modifed" sorting, close folder, open and Alphabetical sort is set again... huh

AAAAAAA Finally!

File/Close - NOT work
"Red X" - NOT work
CTRL+X - does nothing (not close window), but it leads me to try CTRL+W and IT WORKS!

Don't know why the red X close window and don't save the settings. And why if i move icons and save it, Vista set classic Alphabetical sorting, but i like the grouping thing, so i **** it.

Thanks for help

 

[bigdogchris]

I think I know what you mean. You're talking about the 'tags' where you can sort by Name, Date Modified, Size, etc.? I'm using that in Windows 7 and what I did was right click Group -> Date Modified (or whatever else you want to sort by since you can add different options by clicking more) and it seems to force it.

This is not exactly what i mean, but it is closest, so if this is the best what i can get, i take it. Problem is, that folder does not remember last settings. Always when i open it, i have alphabetical sorting.

Well set it and try to File/Close ... if that doesn't work, press the Red X, if that doesn't work, try pressing CTRL+X to close it ... one of those should make it stay.

 

[Stunherald]

Hmm, i must say, it does not work. I forgot check another folder, so if i change sorting/grouping in one folder and close the window by CTRL+W, all folder windows used this settings, not the one, but all folder have what i changed.

I think, there is something what i set in registry when i used this tutorial (something with "AllFolders" part) and now any changes is for all folders.

 

[Brink]

Hello Stunherald,

Apply METHOD TWO in this tutorial changes all the folder templates for all folders to All Items, and resets them to a Details view. See if changing the folder template for the folder you want different helps while using the CTRL+W method.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[pdsnickles]

The only reason I am putting this HERE is because I think it's related. But maybe I should also start a new thread on this?:

Suddenly (It worked before!) my Vista 64bit is not remembering to make my folders open to full-screen size.

For example, I open Folder A, then I click the corner box to make it open full-screen. Then I close it and re-open it. It works; it opens full screen.

But the next time I re-start Vista, I have to do it all over again. In other words, it only remembers to open full-screen for each Windows Vista session.

What's up with that?!?

 

[Brink]

Hello Pdsnickles,

Do you have any 3rd party programs installed that may have an option to reset this at shutdown or startup?

 

[pdsnickles]

I don't think I do. Where can I find out which programs might do this? ie.; suggestions as to which programs might do this?

 

[Brink]

It may be some security type program.

As a test, create a new account to see if it works properly in it.