View settings keep resetting

Chan, Justin 20 Reputation points
2025-10-02T02:03:55.37+00:00

I am experiencing a problem where Windows will not save the display settings for my folders. It is defaulting to setting them to list in detailed view, grouped by date and sorted by date modified. I keep trying to change the settings to no grouping, sorting by name, and view to extra large icons. I don't even know why they were set this way in the first place as I never enable grouping for any folders.

I can make the change when I am in the folder. However, the moment I leave the folder and go back or close the window and re-open, it reverts back to the previous settings. I have tried making a single change such as changing only the grouping to none, but after I leave and go back, it re-enables grouping again.

I have tried changing the folder optimization from General items to Pictures as well. Any time I save that setting, it immediately goes back to general items the next time I go back into the properties.

I have also noticed that the Read-Only attribute for some of these folders is partially checked. I tried unchecking it completely but again it goes back to being partially checked.

OS version information below:

Edition: Windows 11 Home

Version: 24H2

OS Build: 26100.6725

Experience: Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.253.0

This problem doesn't happen for every folder and sometimes a folder that has had this problem will suddenly save the display settings after numerous tries. Any idea why these folder settings refuse to save and always go back to their default settings?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings
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Answer accepted by question author
Randy Baroja 20,775 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-10-04T14:23:16.98+00:00

Hi,

You’re absolutely right to ask before diving in, because the folder view and template settings are stored in a few specific registry keys. You’ll mainly want to check permissions on the keys that handle folder "view state" data, which are the ones Windows uses to remember how you set your folders.

Here’s exactly where to look and what to do:

Open the Registry Editor

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

If asked by UAC, click Yes to allow it.

Navigate to these keys (they’re under your user profile):

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU

These three keys are responsible for storing your folder views, grouping, sorting, and "Optimize this folder for" preferences.

Check Permissions for Each Key

Right-click each folder (for example, Bags) and select Permissions.

Highlight your user account in the list.

Make sure Full Control is checked under "Allow."

If it’s not, click Edit, check Full Control, and then click Apply.

If permissions look correct but the issue persists, the next step would be to back up those keys and then delete the Bags and BagMRU folders so Windows can rebuild them cleanly.

Hope that this helps.

Kind regards,

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  1. Randy Baroja 20,775 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-02T02:55:29.28+00:00

    Hi,

    It sounds like Windows just isn’t remembering your folder settings, which can be really annoying! A few things usually help: first, try resetting the folder view cache by opening File Explorer, going to Options, then View, and clicking Reset Folders, this clears out any corrupted settings that might be causing the problem. Next, make sure each folder has the right template by right-clicking it, choosing Properties, then Customize, and picking "Optimize this folder for" (like Pictures), and check “Also apply to subfolders” so Windows handles it properly. Finally, once you’ve set up the view the way you like it, go to View, then Options, and click Apply to Folders to make that the default for all folders of that type. This usually helps Windows actually stick to your preferences!

    Kind regards,

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  2. Randy Baroja 20,775 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-10-03T14:32:32.6066667+00:00

    Hi,

    If Windows won’t let you change a folder’s "Optimize this folder for" setting and keeps forcing General Items, the issue is usually due to corrupted or locked folder template settings. To fix it, first check your registry permissions and make sure you have full control over the keys that store folder views, because restricted access can prevent changes from saving. Next, reset the folder template cache by deleting the Bags and BagMRU keys in the registry, which forces Windows to recreate all folder view settings from scratch. Finally, test with a new user account, if folder templates work normally there, the problem is specific to your profile and can confirm that the cache reset should solve it.

    Kind regards,

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