"Open With" View settings: How to set this?

Question

I would have thought Windows 7 would retain the last View settings but this doesn't happen. 

When I use the open command (Control_O) for most programs I'm given everything in Icon View.  Icon View is great if you're a child that can't read yet and need cutesy pictures to help you remember which one is what you want.  But for the rest of the world you want a clear, concise list that fits a maximum of items on one page.  Is there any way of getting Windows to always open this in List View?

Answer 1

Could someone with a brain please reply?  I've clearly stated the problem and you've conveniently copied and pasted your scripted response.  Do you know how insulting that is?  In essence you're saying "You're not worth our time to bother even reading the post, let alone reply to it with a thought out answer."  This happens so often here.  It makes you look so bad in the eyes of potential Microsoft clients.  if you can't be bothered, don't bother at all.  Its better.  Its like people who apologize for things they didn't do.  What's really the point?   

NOTHING you said was in the slightest bit relevant.  Guess you copy and paste to hundreds of posts daily.  Well done.  Much appreciated. 

> When did this start happening?

Since the beginning of time.

> What recent changes have you made to your computer?

None.  My computer is kept in a hermetically sealed box under 2 miles of ice near the South Pole.  Happy?  Now maybe you can start your thought processes.

Answer 2

We appreciate your effort to clarify the cause of your concern. As it turns out, we have to refer this issue to our Answerdesk team for further assistance through this link.

If anything comes up, don't hesitate to get back to us anytime.

Answer 3

I guess I should have stated the painfully obvious for clarity.  Yes, of course I've done the typical solution of setting folder views.  Many times.  Obviously it ain't workin' all the time!  It always works initially.  Works great.  But its when I return later its often popping up in Icon View.  I just want to set it on the drive itself so every file in that drive is always displaying in List View.  Seems like an impossible task. 

Also for external devices I can't even set the type of view. Is this normal?  Right click the device, Properties, Tools....no Folder Options there like they normally are.   Just Icon View. 

Win7 seems to be addicted to Icon View.  It should be called "Brain Damaged View" as it wastes so much space needlessly and is useful only for a very few items.  Surely there is some way of changing this addiction from Icon View to List View.  Something is causing it to default to Icon View.  All I need is to change that.

Answer 4

Thanks for your response. To set the default view for all folders and files to List, please follow the four steps below:

1. Please open the folder (File Explorer) that has the view setting (List) that you want to use for all folders.
2. Click on Tools then select Folder Options.
3. Tap on the View tab then click on Apply all Folder s.
4. Click Yes then click OK.

To reset all of the folders back to the default view settings, please repeat the steps but click Reset All Folders in Step 3. You can also check out this similar thread for other insights to your concern.

Let us know if you need anything else. We're here to help.

Answer 5

Hello,

Windows 7 lets you view all of your files in File Explorer as a list or as thumbnail icons. Since you mentioned that when you choose to list your icons instead of thumbnails but the settings isn't retained, kindly answer these questions to isolate the issue:

• When did this start happening?
• What recent changes have you made to your computer?

You can also try these steps to make sure you'll see the items on File Explorer as a list:

1. Go to Start then click on Control Panel.
2. Click on Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options then click on View.
4. Uncheck the box display File Icon on Thumbnails.
5. Click on Apply to approve the settings.

Hope this helps and let us know if you have any questions.