How to Customize Default Folder Views in Windows

Windows’ built-in folder displays can be customized to increase productivity and simplify file management. Having the appropriate folder view can expedite your productivity and save time while organizing software downloads, professional documents, or personal images.

We’ll take you step-by-step through the process of changing Windows’ default folder view so that your folders always open in the view that suits you.

Why Customize Folder Views in Windows?

Windows provides a number of options for viewing and arranging your files inside of folders, including Details, List, Large Icons, Small Icons, and Tiles. You may ensure that every folder opens in the format of your choice by personalizing the default folder view. This enables you to:

Improved file organization: Quickly find important information like file size, date modified, or file type.
Consistency: Maintain a consistent file view across multiple folders, saving you from manually adjusting the settings each time.
Better navigation: Display large icons for pictures or detailed lists for documents, making it easier to navigate files.

Steps to Customize Default Folder Views in Windows

1. Select the Folder View You Like Best
A folder’s contents display can be customized by first choosing how you want it to appear.

How to configure your favorite folder view:

Use the Windows key + E to launch File Explorer.
Open the folder from which you wish to modify the view.
On the View tab in the File Explorer toolbar, click.
From options like Details, List, Small Icons, Large Icons, Tiles, or Content, select the folder view that you like most.

2. Make All Folders of the Same Type See Folder View
You can apply the view you’ve selected for one folder to all other folders of that type (photos, documents, etc.).

How to apply the view to all folders that are similar:

Click the View tab once more in the folder where you adjusted the view.
On the far right, select Options. Next, select Change folder and search options.
Navigate to the View tab in the Folder Options box.
To apply to folders, select the Folder views section.

If you want to apply the current view settings to all folders of the same kind, a confirmation window will appear and ask for your permission. To confirm, click Yes.

3. Customize Folder View for All Folder Types

If you want to apply a specific view to all folder types (regardless of their contents), you can manually adjust the settings to make this happen.

Steps to customize folder view for all folder types:

Open File Explorer and navigate to any folder.
Set your preferred folder view by following the earlier steps.
Go to Options in the View tab, and click on Change folder and search options.
In the Folder Options window, under the General tab, find the section Open File Explorer to. Select This PC to ensure that File Explorer opens with the main folders (Documents, Downloads, etc.).
Apply your folder view to all folders by repeating the steps from the previous section, but this time in the View tab, make sure to apply the view to all types of folders (documents, music, videos, etc.).

4. Personalize Views of Folders Depending on the Type of File
Folder templates are automatically assigned by Windows according to the kind of content they contain (e.g., images, videos, music). For particular folders or file types, you can modify these default folder templates.

How to modify the template for the folder:

To alter a folder, right-click on it and choose Properties.
Select the Customize option.
Choose the following file type from the Optimize this folder for dropdown menu: Things in general, papers, images, audio, or videos.
Tick the box next to If you would like the view to extend to all folders inside the selected one, you should also apply this template to all subfolders.
After selecting Apply, select OK.

5. Use File Explorer Shortcuts to Save Time
To further improve your Windows folder browsing experience, you can fast switch between views with File Explorer shortcuts:

Extra Large Icons: Ctrl + Shift + 1.
Shift + Ctrl + 2: Big Icons
Medium Icons: Ctrl + Shift + 3.
Shift + Ctrl + 4: Tiny Icons
List: Ctrl + Shift + 5.
Details: Ctrl + Shift + 6.
Tiles: Ctrl + Shift + 7.
Content: Ctrl + Shift + 8

You may easily move between multiple folder views with these shortcuts, saving you from having to use the toolbar.

6. Return to the Default Folder Views
You may quickly restore your folder views to their initial default configurations if you ever wish to do so.

How to Reset Views for Folders:

Select the View tab after launching File Explorer.
Click Change Folder and Search Options under Options.
Navigate to the View tab in the Folder Options box.
To return all folder views to their original configuration, select Reset Folders.

Conclusion

Windows’ built-in folder displays can be changed to improve file management’s effectiveness and usability. You may make your workflow more efficient and well-organized by defining your favorite view, applying it to related folders, and modifying templates according to the kinds of files you work with. Changing folder displays to suit your needs—whether you want big icons for photos or a thorough view for documents—will enhance your Windows experience in general.

You may completely customize how your folders are viewed by following these instructions, which will make it easier for you to locate and organize things quickly and effectively.