Member Avatar for Dani

I found this in a few different places around the 'net - hopefully it's helpful:

How to Change Column Settings in Windows Explorer

This article describes how to change the column settings in Windows Explorer. To change which columns are displayed, or change the width or order of the windows and folders in Windows Explorer:

  • In Windows Explorer, click the folder, and then click Choose Details on the View menu.
  • Click to select the check box of each item that you would like to add to the current view, or click to clear the check boxes of items that you do not want.
  • To reorder your columns, click the item (but do not clear the check box), and then click Move Up or Move Down until the items are in the order that you want. Click OK.

Note: You must click Details on the View menu in order to display the details of the files in the selected folder.

To change the width of the columns, use the appropriate method:

Method One

  • On the View menu, click Choose Details, and then click the name of the column that you want to adjust. In the Width of selected column (in pixels) box, enter the size that you want, and then click OK.

Method Two

  • Widen columns manually by positioning the mouse pointer between two border buttons of the column headings, the pointer turns into a double arrowhead.
  • Click and hold the left mouse button, and then drag the column to the desired width.
  • 8 Contributors
  • 8 Replies
  • 952 Views
  • 7 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by shhahid

Dani AI

Generated

Short expert summary and where this thread’s questions usually come from: File Explorer keeps column choices per “folder type” (templates), and those template assignments — plus any active Group‑by setting — determine which columns appear and whether widths stick. Applying one folder’s view to other folders is possible but limited to folders that share the same template; if views stop sticking it’s often a template/registry-cache or grouping issue. (howtogeek.com)

To apply a view to a folder tree (answer to ): set the parent folder’s view how you want it, open that folder’s Properties → Customize and choose the correct template (Documents, Pictures, etc.) and check “Also apply this template to all subfolders.” After that, open File Explorer Options (View tab) and use the “Apply to Folders” behavior to push the template’s view to other folders of the same type. Note that this must be repeated for each folder type and some special folders/search results don’t accept it. (windowscentral.com)

If columns won’t resize (answer to ) first check Details view and whether Group‑by is active — grouping can make Explorer ignore individual column choices (as found). Clear grouping (right‑click whitespace → Group by → (None) or use the View ribbon), then try double‑clicking a column divider to auto‑fit a single column (or use the resize controls). If that still fails, try the small registry/reset approaches below. (learn.microsoft.com)

When views keep reverting: Windows stores view state in the user registry (Bags/BagMRU). Corruption or the saved‑views limit can make Apply/Customize behave badly — export those keys, then remove Bags and BagMRU so Explorer rebuilds them (backup first), or use a purpose‑built utility (WinSetView) to set global defaults without hand‑editing the registry. Always export/backup keys before making changes. (winhelponline.com)

Short checklist: confirm Details view; disable Group‑by; set parent folder template + “Also apply…”; use Apply to Folders; if problems persist, back up and clear Bags/BagMRU or use WinSetView.

Member Avatar for jorvis

This is very helpful indeed. Do you know of any way to apply these changes to subfolders too?

Member Avatar for anhmai

To change the width of the columns, I used method #2 but It does not work . I drag a mouse but the width does not change (there is no double arrow head appear <-> when I point to the border of column). Can you help me to solve my problem ? , I do not like method #1 , It is slow and not practical .

Member Avatar for atashajules

Thanks for a nice information, we have the same problem about changing the column. I've been looking for this, for a long time....... and finally i found here. It would help me a lot..

Member Avatar for MrWebmonster

i often use method#2. it comfortable for me :)

Member Avatar for joemahmah

Is there a way in Windows Explorer to Change column width so all folders will open with same changed width setting?

It seems to always open with a narrow "NAME" width and I always have to manually widen it every time. Thanks for your time.

Member Avatar for egpor95

How do you make these column settings stick between sessions? Every time I close out and reopen the columns revert to what they were.

Member Avatar for egpor95

Never mind. I found the totally counter-intuitive answer by opening the "Group by" selection under "View". Apparently if a column choice is selected under "Group by", it totally ignores what you choose under the column selections.

Member Avatar for shhahid

I found this in a few different places around the 'net - hopefully it's helpful:

How to Change Column Settings in Windows Explorer

This article describes how to change the column settings in Windows Explorer. To change which columns are displayed, or change the width or order of the windows and folders in Windows Explorer:

  • In Windows Explorer, click the folder, and then click Choose Details on the View menu.
  • Click to select the check box of each item that you would like to add to the current view, or click to clear the check boxes of items that you do not want.
  • To reorder your columns, click the item (but do not clear the check box), and then click Move Up or Move Down until the items are in the order that you want. Click OK.

Note: You must click Details on the View menu in order to display the details of the files in the selected folder.

To change the width of the columns, use the appropriate method:

Method One

  • On the View menu, click Choose Details, and then click the name of the column that you want to adjust. In the Width of selected column (in pixels) box, enter the size that you want, and then click OK.

Method Two

  • Widen columns manually by positioning the mouse pointer between two border buttons of the column headings, the pointer turns into a double arrowhead.
  • Click and hold the left mouse button, and then drag the column to the desired width.

Good Info cscgal, really love it

Thanks

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.