How to make File Explorer simple?

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by Leica, Mar 9, 2013.

  1. Leica

    Leica MDL Member

    Nov 15, 2012
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    This is what I want to do. Basically in Windows 8 (and also in Windows Vista & 7) whenever I browse to a folder (using File Explorer) which has multimedia files, the tabs change!

    Normally the tabs (or fields) are Name, Date Modified, Type and Size.

    However with multimedia files, depending on the file types it changes to all kind of weird and horrible stuff, like "Date Taken", "Rating", "Artist", "Length", etc.

    And to make things worse, the basic ones like Size are gone! And even if those few multimedia files are then moved to another location or deleted, the tabs/fields remain the same forever!

    While I appreciate that most will like this "feature", I personally hate it. I want to see the basic properties of my files, regardless of what they are - jpg, mp3, etc. I want to see what the file name is, date modified, type and size. Nothing more! No thank you!

    Is there a way I can set this?

    I notice that Windows Server doesn't do this and unless I am mistaken, Windows Server never shows the bloody "Artist" for any file!

    Thanks!
     
  2. Leica

    Leica MDL Member

    Nov 15, 2012
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    #3 Leica, Mar 9, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2013
    (OP)
    I have tried it in the past and it doesn't work permanently.

    Update: I just tried it and does NOT work. I did the apply to all folders, made a new folder and put some JPGs in it and again I see thumbnails and the tabs have changed!

    Also if you look carefully when you choose "Apply to all folders" it says "of this TYPE". So clearly Windows sees folders with JPGs or MP3s as NOT this type!

    Most annoying...

    Someone please HELP!!!
     
  3. rrohela

    rrohela MDL Expert

    Sep 1, 2009
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    Have you created Template & applied that to All folders? It will work just a method changed in Win8 from previous OSs.
     
  4. Leica

    Leica MDL Member

    Nov 15, 2012
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    I only did it for the one folder type. I didn't know that one has to do this to ALL folder types, i.e. videos, music, etc.

    Also I see a more elegant solution by changing the registry entries. I am going to give that a go...

    Thanks!
     
  5. EFA11

    EFA11 Avatar Guru

    Oct 7, 2010
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    #7 EFA11, Mar 9, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2013
    so you tried this after setting the folder the way you want it?
    View attachment 21072

    And for any other types, repeat the process. E.g., pictures should all get same type of view, movies, document folders etc. "Should"

    -edit-
    All of my drives (usb, dvd, NETWORK) all look the same doing this. IF not, try to use the "reset folders" option, then go back and adjust a folder the way you want it, and then apply to all folders. If all else fails, click your system drive (c:) and select all folders only, and then go options >- view >- apply to all folders and that "should" clean it up.
     
  6. Pegatron

    Pegatron MDL Member

    Jul 5, 2010
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    :orb:"Windows Server never shows the bloody "Artist" for any file!"

    That is kind of cool in a strange way.