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...
sounds great

I will update and play with this weekend

thank you for the time and attention
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11

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
Your assistance is requested...

I have translated the internal VBScript code in WinSetView to JScript. I'm looking for beta testers before fully releasing this major change. I've been using the JScript version myself exclusively on my main computer, and all test VMs, for the past couple of weeks and have had no issues, so I'm very confident it's stable and correctly applies all changes, but the more testing before release, the better.

If you would like to help out, please download the beta test version and copy the files into you current WinSetView folder, letting it replace everything. It will not overwrite your settings. The main program is still WinSetView.exe (the JScript code is internal to that Exe). You will find the beta test version on the Releases page:
github.com

Releases · LesFerch/WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views. Contribute to LesFerch/WinSetView development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com github.com

Background:

WinSetView is an HTML application that uses the MSHTML browser engine that's built into Windows. It started out as an HTA and was later converted into a VbsEdit HTML application, which is essentially an Exe browser object shell around the HTML/CSS/VBScript code. That eliminates the need for MSHTA.exe and provides some additional improvements over HTAs. It's a proper Exe compiled each time by Visual Studio. It's not a self extractor.

The part of WinSetView that applies the registry changes is a PowerShell script and that remains unchanged. The JScript code is only used for the interface.

If I were to write the tool today, I would write it in C# (and I may just do that some day). In the meantime, it's fine as is. However, starting in 2027, Microsoft plans to no longer include VBScript pre-installed in Windows. It will still be available as a Feature on Demand (FOD) but users will be reluctant to add it back if it's not installed to begin with.

Additionally, starting with Windows 11 24H2, VBScript is still installed, but it's now an FOD and can be uninstalled with a single click. Some users are starting to do that and, hence, the push to replace VBScript with JScript now.

Note: The term JScript refers to the older flavor of JavaScript that is included with Windows and works with the MSHTML rendering engine used by IE and HTML applications.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer

WinSetView 3.0.2​

Bug Fix: Fixed error that caused file dialog views to not always be set for specific folder types.

Bug Fix: General items view for connected devices (such as phones) now also applies to dialog views.

github.com

GitHub - LesFerch/WinSetView: Globally Set Explorer Folder Views

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views. Contribute to LesFerch/WinSetView development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com github.com
 

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
Thanks for the heads up on the update!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 26100.2894

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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 24H2 26100.2894
Zoloft said:
again, thank you!
Click to expand...
And my apologies for another release so soon. Obscure bugs, Ugh. This should be the last release in the 3.0.x series (which uses VBScript code internally).

The next release uses JScript code internally and is currently available as a beta. It also adds a new feature that allows you to have MTP devices, such as phones, display with the same Details column settings as your General Items view (restricted to columns allowed by the MTP device). In the current release, only the view mode (Details, List, Icons, etc.) is replicated from General Items to phones.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer

WinSetView 3.1.2​

3.01.2​

Bug Fix: Fixed label click for “Remove Home in Windows 11” and “Remove Gallery in Windows 11”

3.01.1​

Feature added: General items column settings can now be applied to MTP devices such as phones.

Feature added: “Remove Home in Windows 11” and “Remove Gallery in Windows 11” options added.

Feature added: “Auto arrange” and “Align to grid” defaults added for “Windows XP/Vista view mode”.

Feature added: Added “Detect current settings” button to Folder View Options page.

Enhancement: Checkbox labels in the main and options pages are now clickable.

Enhancement: Now runs on MSHTML 8 through 11. This allows it to run on a basic Windows 7 SP1 build without having to install IE 11.

Change: VBScript code replaced with JScript code.

Change: Removed check for new version on startup. This could cause startup delays depending on network settings. There is now a button to check for a new version.

Change: Renamed option “Legacy row and icon spacing” to “Windows XP/Vista view mode”

Change: “Disable folder thumbnails” moved from “Explorer Options” to “Folder View Options”

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
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