Make Windows 11 show search results in Details view

Question

Make Windows 11 show search results in Details view

Bikhod Khan 65

Hello, How can I make Windows 11 show File Explorer search results in Details view instead of the default search result view? Every time I do a search, the first thing I do is switch the view to Details view. This is irritating as I use search a lot.

Please note: I am not interested in 3rd party software to solve this problem. I am looking for a native Windows solution to the problem, even if it means changing registry settings.

Thanks in advance.

Anonymous

2024-02-22T09:52:50.3833333+00:00

Unfortunately, Windows 11 doesn't provide a built-in option to change the default view of search results in File Explorer.
Zavadil Petr 25 Reputation points

2024-04-12T07:04:01.38+00:00

Hello. Windows 10 has had this function, I have had use it. Why doesn't provide new :better: OS windows 11 this function? For me is Win 11 downgrade - and it's pity.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Me 25 Reputation points

2025-05-14T23:36:30.6+00:00

Not being able to set the default view is highly unsatisfactory and yet another step backwards in the revised "experience" for me.
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-11-14T16:11:38.3433333+00:00

After reading all the comments below, I'm continually frustrated with "improvements" made by Microsoft. Why do they keep taking useful options away? In an effort to make the system easier for the masses, they limit the functionality of the Windows platform. I wonder who is the knucklehead that approves these anti-developments.
Paul 5 Reputation points

2025-11-30T01:43:29.1733333+00:00
I followed these steps, and this worked for me:

Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter.

Navigate to: text
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell
(If some keys are missing, create them.)

In the right pane, create or modify this string value:

Name: Mode

Value: 1 (1 = Details view)

(If you prefer List = 2, Small icons = 3, etc.)

Also create or modify:

Name: LogicalViewMode

Value: 3 (3 = Details)

Close Registry Editor and restart Explorer (or log out/in).
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-12-04T16:55:10.94+00:00

Dang! I was really hoping this would be the solution, but it was not. I created a REG_DWORD named "Mode" (set to 1) and another named "LogicalViewMode" (set to 3) in the location you specified (see below). I logged out and back in afterwards, but all searches still yield the "Contents" mode by default. I tried searching in both the new Windows 11 Explorer and the old style through the Control Panel (up-arrow twice), which I prefer. If you see anything that is incorrect in my settings below, please let me know.
Pete Smith 5 Reputation points

2025-12-20T03:07:35.0433333+00:00

@Shayne Turner Yes, there is a problem. The instructions given read: '...create or modify this string value'.
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-12-24T14:04:05.9366667+00:00

Pete Smith I'm confused by your post, "Yes, there is a problem. The instructions given read: '...create or modify this string value'." Isn't that what I did? I created the REG_DWORD named "Mode" and modified the value to "1". What am I missing here? Please forgive me if there is something I am assuming that is incorrect.
Pete Smith 5 Reputation points

2025-12-24T21:03:18.53+00:00

@Shayne Turner A REG_DWORD is not a String Value. When you right-click in the right pane to create a New object, choose 'String Value' not 'REG_DWORD'.

These are two different types of entries. The Registry uses these for different functions. The function you are building requires a 'String Value'.
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-12-29T15:13:02.1833333+00:00

YIPPEE! IT WORKS! Pete Smith Thank you for the response and correcting instruction. Now it makes sense. I replaced both REG_DWORDs with String Values (showing as REG_SZ) and gave them the proper values, 1 for Mode and 3 for LogicalViewMode. After signing out and back in, I tried searches in both versions of Explorer, and both come up with Details in the search list. I am very pleased! Thanks again!
Rob Stratton 5 Reputation points

2025-12-29T17:12:42+00:00

Shayne, there are so many posts on here, can you please relist the exact steps you performed in the registry to get this to work?
-Rob
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This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-12-29T17:41:43.74+00:00

@Rob Stratton See the correct instructions above posted by Paul on Nov 29, 2025, 7:43 PM. I mistakenly created REG_DWORD entries instead of "String Values" (shown as REG_SZ). Pete Smith got me straightened out. Hope that helps!
Rob Stratton 5 Reputation points

2025-12-29T19:55:03.6633333+00:00

Ok, thanks Shayne.

5 answers

Your answer

Anonymous

2024-02-22T09:52:50.3833333+00:00

Unfortunately, Windows 11 doesn't provide a built-in option to change the default view of search results in File Explorer.
Zavadil Petr 25 Reputation points

2024-04-12T07:04:01.38+00:00

Hello. Windows 10 has had this function, I have had use it. Why doesn't provide new :better: OS windows 11 this function? For me is Win 11 downgrade - and it's pity.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Me 25 Reputation points

2025-05-14T23:36:30.6+00:00

Not being able to set the default view is highly unsatisfactory and yet another step backwards in the revised "experience" for me.
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-11-14T16:11:38.3433333+00:00

After reading all the comments below, I'm continually frustrated with "improvements" made by Microsoft. Why do they keep taking useful options away? In an effort to make the system easier for the masses, they limit the functionality of the Windows platform. I wonder who is the knucklehead that approves these anti-developments.
Paul 5 Reputation points

2025-11-30T01:43:29.1733333+00:00

I followed these steps, and this worked for me:

Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter.

Navigate to: text
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell
(If some keys are missing, create them.)

In the right pane, create or modify this string value:

Name: Mode

Value: 1 (1 = Details view)

(If you prefer List = 2, Small icons = 3, etc.)

Also create or modify:

Name: LogicalViewMode

Value: 3 (3 = Details)

Close Registry Editor and restart Explorer (or log out/in).
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-12-04T16:55:10.94+00:00

Dang! I was really hoping this would be the solution, but it was not. I created a REG_DWORD named "Mode" (set to 1) and another named "LogicalViewMode" (set to 3) in the location you specified (see below). I logged out and back in afterwards, but all searches still yield the "Contents" mode by default. I tried searching in both the new Windows 11 Explorer and the old style through the Control Panel (up-arrow twice), which I prefer. If you see anything that is incorrect in my settings below, please let me know.
Pete Smith 5 Reputation points

2025-12-20T03:07:35.0433333+00:00

@Shayne Turner Yes, there is a problem. The instructions given read: '...create or modify this string value'.
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-12-24T14:04:05.9366667+00:00

Pete Smith I'm confused by your post, "Yes, there is a problem. The instructions given read: '...create or modify this string value'." Isn't that what I did? I created the REG_DWORD named "Mode" and modified the value to "1". What am I missing here? Please forgive me if there is something I am assuming that is incorrect.
Pete Smith 5 Reputation points

2025-12-24T21:03:18.53+00:00

@Shayne Turner A REG_DWORD is not a String Value. When you right-click in the right pane to create a New object, choose 'String Value' not 'REG_DWORD'.

These are two different types of entries. The Registry uses these for different functions. The function you are building requires a 'String Value'.
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-12-29T15:13:02.1833333+00:00

YIPPEE! IT WORKS! Pete Smith Thank you for the response and correcting instruction. Now it makes sense. I replaced both REG_DWORDs with String Values (showing as REG_SZ) and gave them the proper values, 1 for Mode and 3 for LogicalViewMode. After signing out and back in, I tried searches in both versions of Explorer, and both come up with Details in the search list. I am very pleased! Thanks again!
Rob Stratton 5 Reputation points

2025-12-29T17:12:42+00:00

Shayne, there are so many posts on here, can you please relist the exact steps you performed in the registry to get this to work?
-Rob
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-12-29T17:41:43.74+00:00

@Rob Stratton See the correct instructions above posted by Paul on Nov 29, 2025, 7:43 PM. I mistakenly created REG_DWORD entries instead of "String Values" (shown as REG_SZ). Pete Smith got me straightened out. Hope that helps!
Rob Stratton 5 Reputation points

2025-12-29T19:55:03.6633333+00:00

Ok, thanks Shayne.

Answer 1

Mohammad Sartaj Khan 155

Hi Bikhod,

Please do the below steps and let me know here if its work for you.

Steps to Show Search Results in "Details" View in Windows 11:

Open File Explorer (📁):

Press Windows + E.

Go to any folder or This PC.

Use the Search bar (top-right) to search for something (e.g., type *.docx or any file).

Once search results appear:

  Click on the **“View”** tab in the ribbon at the top.
  
     Select **“Details”** from the list (alternatively, press `Ctrl + Shift + 6`).
     
     **Make it the default view for all searches**:
     
        Click the **three-dot menu (•••)** in the toolbar > choose **Options**.
        
           In **Folder Options**, go to the **View** tab.
           
              Click **Apply to Folders** while you are in the search results.
              
                 Confirm when prompted.

Jaaaacky Chaaaan 10 Reputation points

2025-09-09T13:06:24.67+00:00

Hi Mohammad Sartaj Khan!
Unfortunately, that's not true. This option is grayed out, so it's impossible to make that choice! (Windows 11 PRO 24H2 up to date)
Fred Ehrhardt 5 Reputation points

2026-04-08T13:12:31.4333333+00:00

I appreciate your effort to help but following carefully your instructions, on my Win 11 machine the button Apply to Folders is disabled

Answer 2

Mateusz Pluta 0

Use WinSetView. By changing the global settings, you will also change the search settings.

0 comments

Answer 3

Thor 0

This website shows scripts to modify Windows registry to fix the Windows Explorer issue

https://superuser.com/questions/1498668/how-do-you-default-the-windows-10-explorer-view-to-details-when-looking-at-sea

Rob Stratton 5 Reputation points

2025-06-21T16:59:21.2666667+00:00

But the link you provided applies to Windows 10. Does it also apply to Windows 11?

Answer 4

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Answer 5

S.Sengupta 30,891 MVP Volunteer Moderator

I understand your frustration with File Explorer search results defaulting to a non-Details view. While there isn't a built-in option to permanently set the default view for searches in Windows 11.

Alternatively, you may try to Use Folder Views

Perform your search in File Explorer.

Navigate to the folder containing the search results (usually "Search Results").

Click the "View" tab in the ribbon menu.

Select "Details" from the view options.

Click the arrow next to "Details" and choose "Apply to Folders."

LJ Wolfe 5 Reputation points

2025-07-01T22:04:42.5166667+00:00

Trying the method suggested by S.Sengupta and Mohammad Sartaj Khan: On Folder Options > View > Folder Views, the option to Apply to Folders is greyed out when I do this from search results.

I was hoping to not have to go third party, but that may be the only way to do this :-(.
Wust, Irina 10 Reputation points

2025-10-22T13:08:23.6433333+00:00

There isn't any "arrow next to 'Details", and thus no option "Apply to Folders".
AND the option "Apply to Folders" in the Window Options>View is greyed out.

Very bad move, Microsoft. I needed this several hundred times.
Shayne Turner 30 Reputation points

2025-12-04T16:58:41.83+00:00

Exactly! "There isn't any "arrow next to 'Details", and thus no option "Apply to Folders". AND the option "Apply to Folders" in the Window Options>View is greyed out."

Your "solution" is not valid!

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Make Windows 11 show search results in Details view

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