WinSetView (Tool to Globally Set Explorer Folder Views)


WinSetView is a tool that will let you easily set File Explorer default folder views (including turning off grouping everywhere if so desired). It works by setting registry values that File Explorer already supports. It does not modify Explorer or add any tasks or services.

Please follow the guide on the WinSetView web page to download the app and set your initial folder view preferences. Running the app for the first time without following the guide may lead to confusion, as there are a lot of options on the screen.

1731378491393.png

WinSetView...
  • Is a portable app. That is, it requires no installation (just unzip and run) and it saves its settings in an INI file with the app. So, you can easily run it from a flash drive or network drive to set up new computers and/or new users with consistent default views with just one click.

  • Sets default folder views for ALL folder types, not just the basic five. That is, in addition to setting the default views for General items, Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos, it also sets the default views for Downloads, Libraries, OneDrive, Search results, Contacts, Quick Access, User files, File Open/Save dialogs, etc.

  • Sets folder views via a copy of the FolderTypes registry key which is not affected by Windows updates. A Windows repair install will remove the defaults, but then you can just run WinSetView and click Submit to re-apply your preferences.

  • Includes options to turn off Internet results in Windows search, revert the Windows 11 right-click menu to the classic layout, set a custom start folder for Explorer, disable thumbnails on folders, set the default view for phones to open in the same view you .

  • Can also be used to reset all folder views to Windows defaults.

  • Can be used via the command line (for Power users and System Administrators). See the Tools Folder section in the manual for more details.

WinSetView will correct the following conditions (when the cause is registry corruption):

1. Folder views set via File Explorer, using Apply to Folders, are not applying to all folders.
2. Folder Properties, Customize, Optimize this folder for is not working properly.
3. Folder views are reverting back to Windows defaults.

Note: Windows 11 currently has some folder view bugs in regards to setting folder type for entire folder trees on removable drives and overriding the automatically detected folder type on "Local disks". Those bugs can, for now, be eliminated by switching to the Windows 10 style Explorer.
 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
Rollback_Jockey said:
I'm not sure what i'm doing wrong but with certain combinations of switches i'm getting black text on folder item labels, this is a pain because i'm using dark mode and cant see the labels. I'll try to work out a specific combinations in case it's relevant.
Click to expand...
That would be the "Legacy row and icon spacing" option. I just tested it in dark mode. Same problem. It's a legacy Windows setting, so it's not too surprising it doesn't work in dark mode.

Edit: Version 2.91 is now available to download. If dark mode is enabled, It won't show that option and will remove the setting if it was previously enabled.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
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    Acer
LesFerch said:
That would be the "Legacy row and icon spacing" option. I just tested it in dark mode. Same problem. It's a legacy Windows setting, so it's not too surprising it doesn't work in dark mode.

Edit: Version 2.91 is now available to download. If dark mode is enabled, It won't show that option and will remove the setting if it was previously enabled.
Click to expand...
Many thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 11 Pro 24H2 - 26100.3323
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
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    Intel XEON E5-2699 v3
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    ASUS X99-A
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    ACER X34 Predator
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I ran WinSetView twice, customized it, then took the reg file from the "..WinSetView\AppData\Backup" folder.

Now I just always run Reg Import <file .reg> when installing Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI MS-7D98
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-13490F
    Motherboard
    MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    2 x 16 Patriot Memory (PDP Systems) PSD516G560081
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (GV-N4070WF3OC-12GD)
    Sound Card
    Bluetooth Аудио
    Monitor(s) Displays
    INNOCN 15K1F
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD_BLACK SN770 250GB
    KINGSTON SNV2S1000G (ELFK0S.6)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W
    Case
    CG560 - DeepCool
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS / 2 x 140Mm Fan - rear and top; 3 x 120Mm - front
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB TKL
    Mouse
    Corsair KATAR PRO XT
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender Antivirus
    Other Info
    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/66553205

WinSetView v2.96​

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views
lesferch.github.io

3.01.3

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views
lesferch.github.io
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 12900KF
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
    Memory
    Corsair 64GB DDR5 Vengeance C40 5200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC 24GB
    Sound Card
    OnBoard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Predator XB323UGP 32" QHD G-SYNC-C 144Hz 1MS IPS LED
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 250GB M.2 NVMe
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 500GB M.2 NVMe
    2x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 2TB M.2 NVMe
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200i 1200W 80PLUS Titanium Modular
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Black Case w/ Tempered Glass Side Panel
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Black CPU Cooler, 4x Noctua 120mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK545
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    Fixed Wireless 150mbps/75mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Thrustmaster TS-PC RACER
    Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals with the Load Cell Kit
    Yamaha Amp with Bose Speakers
abactuon said:
I ran WinSetView twice, customized it, then took the reg file from the "..WinSetView\AppData\Backup" folder.

Now I just always run Reg Import <file .reg> when installing Windows.
Click to expand...
That works for capturing the folder view settings only, (as long as you don't open any file dialogs for folder types where you've changed the view from Windows defaults before doing the import), but the backup files don't capture many of the settings from the Options menu. You can also use WinSetBak.cmd or WinSetBak.ps1 from the Tools folder and that will capture most of the settings. It's on my to do list to check those scripts and see if I should add more keys to what they capture.

To apply 100% of the settings at build time, you can run WinSetView.ps1 from the command line with the INI file path provided as the argument. See the section Command Line Operation in the manual for more details.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
I still do it manually! 🤷‍♂️
All folders...
• View - Large Icons
• Sort by - Name
• Group by - None

except Recycle Bin...
• Sort by - Date Deleted
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Edwin said:
I still do it manually! 🤷‍♂️
All folders...
• View - Large Icons
• Sort by - Name
• Group by - None
Click to expand...
I'm assuming you mean that you make those changes and then click "Apply to Folders" for each folder type where you make a change.

That works well if it's one of the first things you do after first login. Any folders you open via a file open/save dialog before doing that will not get updated to the new view. And, of course, that procedure requires separately setting special views such as Libraries and Search results.

I also have a bunch of settings in the Options menu to help get a new account set up with your preferred settings, but I realize that most of the experienced users here already have reg and batch files for those things.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
LesFerch said:
I'm assuming you mean that you make those changes and then click "Apply to Folders" for each folder type where you make a change.
Click to expand...
Yep. Gotta do it twice in a Music folder though, a folder and sub-folder with mp3's in it..., I think it has something to do with default rip settings. 🤷‍♂️
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook

WinSetView 2.97​

Feature added: All third-party shell properties are now dynamically added to the column selection list.

Feature added: Option to set Show hidden files and folders.

Feature added: Option to enable Copy/Move To folder context menu items.

Enhancement: The AppData folder is now dynamically created to protect user’s existing WinSetView settings when updating the app.

Enhancement: Help button is now context sensitive.

Change: PowerShell is now run via its absolute path instead of relying on the System path.

Change: The default setting for “Use General Items view for connected devices” is now off.

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views
lesferch.github.io
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 12900KF
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
    Memory
    Corsair 64GB DDR5 Vengeance C40 5200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC 24GB
    Sound Card
    OnBoard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Predator XB323UGP 32" QHD G-SYNC-C 144Hz 1MS IPS LED
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 250GB M.2 NVMe
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 500GB M.2 NVMe
    2x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 2TB M.2 NVMe
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200i 1200W 80PLUS Titanium Modular
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Black Case w/ Tempered Glass Side Panel
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Black CPU Cooler, 4x Noctua 120mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK545
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    Fixed Wireless 150mbps/75mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Thrustmaster TS-PC RACER
    Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals with the Load Cell Kit
    Yamaha Amp with Bose Speakers
What would help are before/after views of how the folder views have changed, once that setting in this topic is chosen.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    32GB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 Intel (14”) Mobile Workstation - Type 21AK
    Memory
    32GB
cheaterslick said:
What would help are before/after views of how the folder views have changed, once that setting in this topic is chosen.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure I follow. Are you referring to the WinSetView documentation? Which setting are you referring to?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
LesFerch said:
I'm not sure I follow. Are you referring to the WinSetView documentation? Which setting are you referring to?
Click to expand...

I'm not setting up anything. I just want to see the results of what happens to "folder views" after you make this change.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    32GB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 Intel (14”) Mobile Workstation - Type 21AK
    Memory
    32GB
LesFerch said:
Sorry, I don't know what you mean by "this change". Please elaborate.
Click to expand...
I guess that this feature request is to add an option that would allow the user to, before either choosing to apply any new changes to folder views or choosing to cancel the new changes, do a side-by-side comparison of all the folder view's current settings and all the new settings that are about to be applied to it. I.e., allow the user to do a before/after comparison to verify that all the new changes [that the user wants to apply next] are going to be correct, so as to help the user to avoid making mistakes as a result of too easily getting confused sometimes.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
hdmi said:
I guess that this feature request is to add an option that would allow the user to, before either choosing to apply any new changes to folder views or choosing to cancel the new changes, do a side-by-side comparison of all the folder view's current settings and all the new settings that are about to be applied to it. I.e., allow the user to do a before/after comparison to verify that all the new changes [that the user wants to apply next] are going to be correct, so as to help the user to avoid making mistakes as a result of too easily getting confused sometimes.
Click to expand...

Actually I'm not talking about adding any features to this program. I'm asking for pictures posted in this thread to see the results. I have no idea what these settings do until I see it illustrated here in this thread. Before/After pictures of Explorer views in this thread to see the results of these settings would be nice.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    32GB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 Intel (14”) Mobile Workstation - Type 21AK
    Memory
    32GB

WinSetView 2.98​

Bug Fix: Fixed issue, introduced with previous update, that caused error when running from a path containing a space

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views
lesferch.github.io
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 12900KF
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
    Memory
    Corsair 64GB DDR5 Vengeance C40 5200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC 24GB
    Sound Card
    OnBoard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Predator XB323UGP 32" QHD G-SYNC-C 144Hz 1MS IPS LED
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 250GB M.2 NVMe
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 500GB M.2 NVMe
    2x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 2TB M.2 NVMe
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200i 1200W 80PLUS Titanium Modular
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Black Case w/ Tempered Glass Side Panel
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Black CPU Cooler, 4x Noctua 120mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK545
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    Fixed Wireless 150mbps/75mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Thrustmaster TS-PC RACER
    Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals with the Load Cell Kit
    Yamaha Amp with Bose Speakers
cheaterslick said:
Actually I'm not talking about adding any features to this program. I'm asking for pictures posted in this thread to see the results. I have no idea what these settings do until I see it illustrated here in this thread. Before/After pictures of Explorer views in this thread to see the results of these settings would be nice.
Click to expand...
The core functionality of WinSetView is to let you set the default views for each folder type to what you prefer. For example, the Windows default for the Documents folder type is Details view with Name, Date modified, Type, and Size as the displayed column headings, for the Pictures folder type it's large icons, for the Downloads folder type it's Details with Group by date enabled, and so on. WinSetView lets you change those defaults on a global basis and lets you reapply them any time with one click.

The way Explorer looks is exactly the same as if you were to change those settings yourself folder by folder in Explorer.

There are a few options in the WinSetView Options menu that have some effect on the look of Windows, but those are explained (with pictures as needed) in the Options section of the manual. If there's a specific option, you want more details about than what is covered in the manual, just ask here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
Someone has been doing some homework @LesFrerch, thankyou again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 11 Pro 24H2 - 26100.3323
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel XEON E5-2699 v3
    Motherboard
    ASUS X99-A
    Memory
    64GB Teamgroup UD4-3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ACER X34 Predator
    Screen Resolution
    3440 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Crucial CT1000P 3P SSD8 1TB
    Crucial CT1000 BX500 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    GameMax Pro
    Case
    Fractal Design
    Cooling
    Corsair H110iGT + 6 140mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Corsair K4
    Mouse
    G-Skill G502
    Internet Speed
    50MBs
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    OEM

WinSetView 2.99​

Bug Fix: Fixed problem, introduced with 2.97, with header being blank after switching language.

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views
lesferch.github.io
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 12900KF
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
    Memory
    Corsair 64GB DDR5 Vengeance C40 5200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix OC 24GB
    Sound Card
    OnBoard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Predator XB323UGP 32" QHD G-SYNC-C 144Hz 1MS IPS LED
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 250GB M.2 NVMe
    1x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 500GB M.2 NVMe
    2x Samsung 980 Pro Series Gen4 2TB M.2 NVMe
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200i 1200W 80PLUS Titanium Modular
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Black Case w/ Tempered Glass Side Panel
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Black CPU Cooler, 4x Noctua 120mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK545
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    Fixed Wireless 150mbps/75mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky
    Other Info
    Thrustmaster TS-PC RACER
    Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals with the Load Cell Kit
    Yamaha Amp with Bose Speakers
Hello, @Wolfzz
Thanks for this great application. I'm using v2.99 and it works great for what I wanted to do. If you have a place to donate for dev funding, I would like to as a thank you for your work on this.

I have one issue that I have tried to resolve and cannot, either fiddling with options or reading the manual.

I have unchecked "General", then selected various folder types like Pictures, Video, Searches, etc to customize. All that works great but when I 'submit' my changes, the app is changing the existing folder types on my drives to General Items from whatever they were.

Example:
Windows 11 Pro
I have D:\video\ full of various video folders which contain files. In windows explorer, I 'customize' the D:\video\ folder type to "videos" and check the box to apply to subfolders. Works great. When I make a change to the videos folder template with WinSetView, it resets this (and all others) to be of type General Items and I have to set them back again as a last step. Not the end of the world but it's extra steps while trying new settings each time. Assuming that is not the intended behavior, I have unchecked what I thought were the obvious things to try in WinSetView's options like setting all folders to generic, etc. Can't seem to stop the behavior.

Is there an option I am missing that I could check/uncheck so your app leaves the folder types set as they were when submitting / applying the changes?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
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