WinSetView
This is the quick start guide. For more details, please see the complete user manual.
Globally Set Explorer Folder Views
Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
Summary
WinSetView provides an easy way to set Windows File Explorer default folder views. For example, if you want Details view, with a particular selection of column headings enabled across all folders, then WinSetView will do that for you.
For more details, please see the extended summary.
How to Download and Run
Quick Instructions
- Download the zip file using the link above.
- Extract the entire zip file.
- Right-click WinSetView.exe, select Properties, check Unblock, and click OK.
- Run WinSetView.exe.
- If you skipped step 3, then, in the SmartScreen window, click More info and then Run anyway.
Note: If your security software blocks the download or the app does not launch or you wish to read more about SmartScreen prompts, please see: Download Help Guide
How to Use
Simple step by step instructions follow.
Note: Nothing in Windows is changed, and no settings are saved, until the Submit button is pressed. Feel free to experiment with the WinSetView interface and just X out and restart the app to get back to where you started. Display options such as font, font size, and theme are also saved to the INI file and are therefore also only saved when you click Submit. Only the WinSetView window size and position are saved automatically when you click X to exit the app.
Note: For best results, close all open applications before running WinSetView. Open applications can prevent open/save dialog views from being updated.
Note: Clicking Submit will apply the registry setting changes and restart Explorer. Do not click Submit when Explorer is busy copying/moving/deleting files.
For complete details, please see the manual.
Step 1: Select Your Interface Language (Optional)
WinSetView should open in the same language to which you have Windows set. If not, select the correct language from the drop down menu.
Step 2: Select Your Preferred Default View
Select the default view you want applied to most (or all) folders from the drop down menu under the Global heading. Most users go with Details, but pick what you like as your default.
Note: If you choose one of the icons options, a number will appear next to the drop down menu indicating the icon size. You can manually type in a custom size, such as 72, which would give you icons half-way between medium and large.
Step 3: Select Your Preferred Default Column Headings (Optional)
If you are happy with the default Details-view column headings (as shown on screen) then skip this step.
Note: Column headings shown in blue are only displayed in search results (by default). It is, therefore, recommended to keep the Folder path (File location in Windows 11) column heading.
Otherwise, click the Columns button to bring up the column headings selection page.
The column headings selection page allows you to select your desired column headings (and their order), group-by options, sort options, and column widths. The manual provides full details, but you can also hover over or click on elements to see how the interface works.
Step 4: Set Views for Specific Folder Types (Optional)
Please note that WinSetView allows you to set the default view for every folder type in Windows, but, by default, they will all get the same settings as your Global settings, as long as the Inherit box is checked.
For any folder type (e.g. Pictures) that you wish to have a different default view than your global setting, just scroll down to that particular folder type, uncheck the Inherit box, and repeat steps 2 and 3 for that folder type.
Note: You don’t have to set the other similar folder types separately. For example, Pictures Library will use the same settings as Pictures as long as Inherit is checked for Pictures Library.
Note: If you uncheck a folder type, then that folder type will display with its Windows default view settings (i.e. the view you would get for a new user account).
Step 5: Check and Set Your Desired Options
Click The Options button.
Review the settings on that page and adjust as desired. See the manual for full details. Options with a shield icon require Administrative access and will automatically pop up a UAC prompt if changed.
Step 6: Apply the Selections to Windows File Explorer
Once you’re happy with your selections, make those settings apply to Windows File Explorer by clicking the Submit button.
You can always run WinSetView again to change any settings and you can revert back to a previous state using the Restore button. You also have the option of setting File Explorer back to Windows defaults by checking Reset Views to Windows Defaults and then clicking Submit.
Note: If you use the Reset Views to Windows Defaults feature, be sure to check the settings under Options.