Customizing Windows folders

April 1, 2004 3:47 PM

Two questions about folder customizations in Windows [more inside]

I can't seem to get my folders to stay re-sized. Many (but not all) folders reset to what seems to be a default size. I have tried control-[click on X], I have tried using TweakUI to increase the number of "folders to remember", I have tried Tools > Folder Options > View > Apply to All Folders, but nothing seems to work.

Also, sometimes the icons in folders "refresh", and then a nearby (in terms of path) folder will display its contents in Icon or Tile mode instead of List like I like it.

I realize these are small problems, but they can be very annoying, especially when you have a small screen. I use Windows XP, but this happens in 2000 also. Any help?

posted by TheIrreverend to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

I only have Windows 2000 Professional at my disposal right now, but here's the process that works for me:

1. Make sure all Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer windows are closed. Open My Computer and drag a shortcut from your C:\ drive to your desktop. Close the My Computer window.

2. Double-click on the shortcut you just created, go Tools > Folder Options... On the General tab, set the option for Open each folder in the same window. (I also have the Use Windows classic desktop, Use Windows classic folders, and Double-click to open an item options selected. I am unsure whether these are important to the process.)

3. On the View tab, under Advanced Settings, make sure Launch folder windows in a separate process and Remember each folder's view settings are enabled.

4. Hit OK. Close the window. Then, double-click on the C: icon again.

5. Arrange the folder in the way you want to it to be presented (i.e. window size, window position, view, sort order, column order, column visibility.) While you're doing this, make sure you don't browse through any of the subfolders. Once done, close the window.

6. Double-click on the drive icon again. Everything still kosher? Go to Tools > Options > View > Like Current Folder. Click OK and close the window.

This is generally the end of the process for me. Each folder should now have the same view, though not necessarily the same size. When you open a folder you haven't dealt with before, set the size and position and then close it. This should store that folder's data properly.
posted by Danelope at 4:46 PM on April 1, 2004

Response by poster: Thanks Danelope, but I already have my computer set up that way, and the problem persists. I guess I should clarify that when I resize folders, the changes stay changed until I reboot. There have been some instances where the changes stay changed for a couple of reboots, but they never stay for long. And then there are some folders that I never have problems with. It's all very confusing.
posted by TheIrreverend at 5:43 PM on April 1, 2004

Have you tried adjusting your screen resolution down and then back up again? I had problems with folder displays (in WinME) after increasing my screen rez briefly to 1280x720, from the normal 1024x768.
To sort it out, I adjusted rez down to 800x600 and then back up to my preferred setting, and the problem vanished.
Might be worth a shot.
posted by Blue Stone at 9:17 AM on April 2, 2004