Folder settings reverting to default

Question

I have read a lot of posts regarding folders not keeping their individual settings. Here's how I'd like to have them set: first, all of them would be showing Small Icons, then I customize just a few, like the Windows Contacts as Details. Now, I am able to set them all (using Folder options -> "Reset folders", then customize a folder and use "Apply to folders", etc.), but after a while the ones that I customize more (Details) revert back to Small Icons (I did check "Remember each folder's view settings).

The good news so to speak is that I found out when they change (or one of the ways). It happens after I use the Save As... dialog. It doesn't do it for every program or every type of file, but saving an image (in IE8 or IrfanView) guarantees it. And I don't even have to click Save, just opening the dialog is enough to change the folders' settings.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

You can keep just so many settings on individual folders (not all of them) - most settings revert to the folder template when you are done (unless you change the template).  Some can be saved with the "Remember each folder's view settings" but that's primarily just good for the view - which is just one setting.  I'm not sure why "Save As" is causing the folders to reset - that's not supposed to happen.  Perhaps if you adjust and save the template (or just change it, change it back and save it) it will fix the problem.

Here's how to change the default template for a folder: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/70819-windows-explorer-folder-view-settings.html.  Default behaviour is to select the template based on the first type of file placed in the folder (it has to choose something).  Vista sets the Explorer window view settings and **folder type template** according to what folder types are in the window. This will show you how to reset the Windows Explorer folder view settings, turn off Automatic Folder Type Discovery (which is I think what you want), and increase the folder view cache to have Vista remember the view settings, folder type template, size, or position of a specific window for when it was last closed at the specific path location.

This does not work with the sub Save As, Open With, Open in New Tab (Internet Explorer), etc.... type dialog windows through the File **menu bar** item though. These do not seem to be able to have their size or position remembered. For these, you can use the free program http://autosizer.en.softonic.com/ to resize them.

Here's another article on how to change the Windows Explorer columns and sort order in Vista: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/108665-column-customize.html.  This will show you how to add, remove, move, change the width, and change the sort order of Windows Explorer columns to how you want them.

Here's another article on how to change the default folder view in Vista (but it claims it isn't a perfect solution and may revert to prior behavior so it's not as good as the two prior links provided: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13880\_3-10019957-68.html.

I hope this helps with your situation.

Good luck!

---

Lorien - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+ --- If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

Answer 2

I wasn't crazy about deleting registry entries, but I applied the changes a couple of days ago and it still works :-) The "Save as..." problem is gone, so even though it triggered the reset, it was not the root cause.

Thanks Now I don't have to repeatedly change back my folders!