Windows Change View For All Subfolders

6 min read Oct 14, 2024

How Can I Change the View for All Subfolders in Windows?

It can be frustrating to constantly adjust the view for each subfolder when you're working with a large directory structure in Windows. Luckily, there's a way to set a default view that will apply to all subfolders within a specific folder. This can save you a lot of time and effort, especially if you have a lot of files and folders to manage. Let's explore how to achieve this:

Understanding Windows File Views

Windows offers various file views:

List: Displays file names, sizes, and dates in a simple list format.
Details: Provides a more detailed view, including file name, size, date modified, type, and other properties.
Tiles: Shows icons of files and folders, with basic information like file name and date modified.
Content: Displays the content of certain files directly in the folder window.
Thumbnails: Shows a preview of images and some other file types.

How to Change the View for All Subfolders

Here's the step-by-step guide on how to change the view for all subfolders within a specific folder in Windows:

Navigate to the Main Folder: Open File Explorer (Windows key + E) and browse to the folder for which you want to set a default view for all subfolders.
Select the "View" Tab: Once in the main folder, look for the "View" tab in the ribbon at the top of the window.
Choose "Options" and "Change Folder and Search Options": Click on the "Options" button and select "Change folder and search options".
Access the "View" Tab in Folder Options: In the Folder Options window, click on the "View" tab.
Enable "Apply to Folders" and Select Your Preferred View: Scroll down to the "Apply to Folders" section. Make sure the checkbox is checked and then select your preferred view from the "Apply to Folders" dropdown menu (List, Details, Tiles, Content, or Thumbnails).
Click "OK" to Apply Changes: Once you've made your selection, click "OK" to apply the changes and close the Folder Options window.

Remember: This setting will only affect subfolders within the specific folder you selected. To apply the default view to other folders, you'll need to repeat the process.

Additional Tips:

Customize the View Further: Within the "View" tab in Folder Options, you can customize the file view further by adjusting the column widths, adding additional columns, or sorting files based on different criteria.
Consider Creating a Shortcut: You can create a shortcut to access the "Folder Options" dialog box quickly. Right-click on an empty area in the File Explorer window, select "New," and choose "Shortcut." In the location box, type explorer.exe shell:foldersoptions and click "Next." Name the shortcut and click "Finish." Now, you can easily access the "Folder Options" window by double-clicking the shortcut.
Explore Other Methods: If you're looking for more advanced ways to customize file views, you can explore using third-party tools specifically designed for managing file organization and customization.

Conclusion

Changing the default view for all subfolders in Windows allows you to maintain a consistent look and feel across your file structure. This can improve your workflow, making it easier to find and manage your files efficiently. By following these steps, you can save time and effort while navigating your Windows file system. Remember that you can further customize your file view to meet your specific needs and preferences.