Share via

How do I make the status bar in Explorer work properly?

Anonymous
2009-12-03T20:18:19+00:00

Hi,

There are two key things i can't get Windows 7 to do:

  1. When in a folder, with nothing selected, Windows 7 does not show the total file size taken up by all files.
  2. This is even worse: when I click a file, say an image, the status bar just says "1 item selected". Well yes, I can count to one... but what is the file date? And size? These details aren't shown.

I could do all this before Windows 7, but can't now. Sure I know I can right click things and select Properties and click OK etc, but that's a lot of clicks and way more complicated. I want the status bar to work again.

I have searched high and low but can't find a way to fix/customize the status bar.

Any help appreciated!

Thanks!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2009-12-04T19:19:18+00:00

    Skb17,

    Welcome to the Microsoft Answers Community.

    To see the folder size when you point to it, go to the Organize drop down in Explorer > Folder and Search Options > click on the View Tab > select the Display file size information in folder tips check box, and then click Ok.

    To see the dates and size of a specific image, again go to Organize drop down > Layout > and check Details pane. Now when you click on an image, the information will be displayed in the Details Pane at the bottom of your Windows Explorer

    More information here:

    Working with Files and Folders

    I hope this helps!

    Lisa

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

3 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-01-24T20:56:26+00:00

    you're a genius.

    db·´¯·...¸>-)))º> ·´¯·...¸>-)))º> share the nirvana mann

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-01-02T06:01:38+00:00

    The basic shell functionality has been hobbled in the otherwise brilliant Windows 7.  Solution: install the open source Windows Classic Explorer:

    http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

    It restores the familiar Status Bar functionality, including size of folder contents/selected files/folders AND disk space remaining.  You can therefore hide the oversized (and frustratingly unhelpful) Details Pane.  It also comes with Classic Start Menu functionality, but I am ok with the new Win 7 start menu, so I unchecked it during the install.

    I am running Classic Explorer on Win 7 64-bit and am a happy Windows user again.

    Regards and Happy New Year.

    MYD

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. @CmdrKeene 90,621 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2010-01-02T17:19:11+00:00

    Hey MakeYourDay,

    That classic shell project is interesting.  I've not installed it yet... and even though I don't mind what's missing in 7, it would be nice to get some of that functionality back.

    Great find, thanks for sharing.

    If this was helpful, please vote. If it solves the issue, please click Propose as Answer. Thanks!

    0 comments