Column headings & file size disappeared in Explorer when I updated Windows 7 on 5/23/2013

This is fairly quick & painless. 

Open Windows explorer.  Go to the folders under C:\Users*YourUserName*... rather than Libraries [to keep these instructions simple].

1  Check that you have selected the appropriate content type for the folder as it affects the defaults for which elements are shown - right-click on the folder, select Properties, select the Customise tab, use the dropdown list to select General items / Documents / Pictures / Music / Video.

2  Right-click in the column header of the [right-hand] folder pane & click on More... then select the file properties you want to see displayed.  Then if you want any particular ones shown to the left/right of others just drag and drop the column headers concerned.  Then click in the column header that you want to use for sort order.  Get everything showing the way you want it to be seen each time.

3  Looking at the whole Windows explorer window again, click on Organise, Folder & search options, View tab [or Tools, Folder options, View tab if you have the Menu bar displayed].  Click on the Apply to folders button to get the same view to be used for all folders of that type [i.e. General items / Documents / Pictures / Music / Video].

4  Repeat this procedure for the other folder types [General items / Documents / Pictures / Music / Video].

Note that there is something awkward about doing this through the Windows explorer, Libraries lists but it's so long since I've used them that I just cannot be sure what the difference is other than [possibly] using Libraries sets any subsequent changes done for a single task as if you had gone through para 3 to deliberately set up a new default layout.  The procedure I've given you allows you to change any individual folder layout in the future without changing the defaults for all folders of that type - so this is a more flexible way of using them.

The KB (Knowledge Base) numbers & corresponding installation dates will be listed in Installed Updates [1]

For home users running Win7 SP1 or Win8 (*only*), no-charge support for security updates (*only*) is available by calling 1-800-MICROSOFT (1-800-642-7676) in the US or 877-568-2495 in Canada. [1]

For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary [i.e., in other regions] for support issues relating to security updates, visit the following Microsoft International Support website:
[http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?rdpath=4](http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?rdpath=4)

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[1] Monday through Friday, 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM Pacific Time; Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time

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[1] **Start | Control Panel | Programs and Features | View installed updates** (in left-hand menu)

I don't know how to get the KB numbers (what are they?). But upon further investigation, I found I have bigger problems than the column headings in windows explorer. This is just a part of the other problems.

There are several windows utilities that are missing. Here is a descriptions of some:

1. When I click "Devices and Printers" from the Windows icon (bottom left), nothing happens.
2. When I click "Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers/Auto Play/Display/Power Options" nothing happens. Clicking on the other items listed: Sound, Nvidia and Realtek opens the utility window for that device.

When I click "Hardware and Sounds>Add a device" a windows error message (red x) pops up: "Windows cannot complete the current operation. The following error code occurred [80004005]"

When I click "Hardware and Sounds>Add a printer" a windows error message (red x) pops up: "There was a problem starting printui.dll. A dynamic link library (DLL) initialization routine failed". So now I can't add a new printer.

When trying to revert to the previous version before the upgrade, System Restore said there are no restore points.

The only significant event during the upgrade was when it reset the system (twice during the upgrade), I noticed there was a message before booting Windows 7 that it found and corrected many indexes and disk files, then it proceeded with the (what appeared to be) a registry update where it tells you do not turn off the systems while it's running.

I have Avast virus software (paid for) and I assume it prevents viruses from infecting my system. It seems that many of the Windows files are missing.

I have a restore disk which will restore Windows 7 to it's original state when I purchased the computer, but I don't want to do that. Is there any way to restore just the missing files?

The system otherwise is working fine as before the upgrade. All my other applications are running fine as well.

What is/are the KB number(s) of the update(s) you installed on on 23 May 2013?

Thanks for trying to help, but your instructions are not working. The details list when I click "More" is showing 5 check boxes (all have checks) that are all blank next to the check box. It does not show a list of items. The other computer I have (HP Pavilion g7 laptop, Windows 7) does show what you describe, so there's something wrong with my desktop. Now I will never upgrade my laptop because of this.