Setting Folder Views for Windows Explorer/My Computer - Microsoft Windows Tips

One of the key things you need to get a firm grasp on to be an efficient computer user is file and folder management. It's important to know where your files are and how your folders are structured. Once you get this down, everything else about using a computer will become much easier.

Windows offers a variety of ways to view your files and folders on your computer. Different views work better for different people so its nice to have a choice on how to view your files and folders. Whether you like to see the details of your files or if you only want to see large icons of your files, there is a view that's right for you. Here are your options for viewing files using Windows Explorer or My Computer. These options will vary depending on what version of Windows you are using and may look a little different in different versions.

Thumbnail View

Tiled View

Windows XP Icon View

Windows Vista and 7 Icon View

List View

Detail View

To change these views simply click on the Views toolbar button and select your desired view or go to the View menu and select it from there.

If you would like to have one view apply to all of your files and folders there is an easy way to do so. The first step is to set the current folder to the desired view you wish to have applied to all your folders. Then go to the Tools menu and then choose Folder Options. From here you will get a window like the following.

Next you would click on the Apply to All Folders button to make the change. You can also change other folder options from here such as to have Windows show your file extensions and show hidden files and folders.

Another nice option to have available is the Status bar show on the bottom.

The Status bar shows you details such as how many objects are in a folder, how many you have selected, the size of the selected items, the size of all the items, how much disk space you have available and the date and time modified.

To turn on this feature simply go to the View menu and check Status Bar.

For WIndows Vista or 7 if you don't have the View menu or any other menu items such as File and Edit showing in Windows Explorer then simply click on the Organize button the top left and then Layout and check Menu Bar.

Related Tips:
Windows File Management
Search Companion Opens When Trying to Access a Drive or Folder
Searching For Files and Folders

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