Windows 7: File Details Properties - Add, Change, or Remove

   Information

File properties are details about a file, such as authors, tags, date taken, etc... Some or all of these file details may be displayed in the Details pane in Windows Explorer when you select the file.

Properties make your files easier to find and organize. For example, you can search for a file by one of its properties. You can also use libraries to arrange files by a property. If you're browsing the Documents library, for example, and you want to see the most recently changed files first, you can arrange the files by the Date modified property.

This will show you how to add, change, or remove properties of a file.

   Note

• You can't add or change the file properties of some types of files. For example, you can't add any properties to TXT or RTF files.
• The properties that are available for a file will vary by file type. For example, you can apply a rating to a song file, but not to a text document.
• Some file properties (such as the length of a song file) can't be modified.
• Not all file properties of Windows 7 system files or program files may be able to be modified.
• If you are not the owner of a file, then you may need to take ownership and "Allow" your user account "Full Control" of the file before you will be able to modify the file properties.

   Warning

Changing some properties of an JPG file like (date or comments), can also significantly change it's compression ratio.

OPTION ONE

Add, Change, or Remove File Properties in "Details Pane"

1. Open Windows Explorer, then navigate to and select the file (ex: a picture file) that you want to modify the properties of.

2. If not already, turn on the Details pane. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: The Details pane is turned on by default in Windows 7.

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3. In the Details pane, hover the mouse pointer just to the left of the property (ex: Author) that you want to modify until you see a box pop-up (ex: around Corbis), then click on it. (see screenshots above)

   Note

• If you do not see a box pop-up when you hover over a property, then it means that the property cannot be modified.
• If you don't see the file property you're looking for, try enlarging the details pane to see more file properties. To do this, click and hold on the top edge of the details pane when the mouse pointer turns into a double arrow, then drag it upward and release the mouse button when it's the size you like.

4. To Add a Property

A) Select or type in the property, then press enter or click on Save. For example, add a author name. (see screenshots below step 2)
NOTE: To add more than one property, separate each entry with a semicolon ; . To rate a file by using the ratings property, click the star that represents the rating you want to apply.

5. To Change a Property

A) Backspace over the current property, then type in the new property and press enter or click on Save. For example, backspace over the old author name and type in a new one. (see screenshots below step 2)

6. To Remove a Property

A) Backspace over the current property, then press enter or click on Save. For example, backspace over the old author name until it's blank (Add an author) and press enter. (see screenshots below step 2)

7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 for any other properties that you want to modify for this file.

OPTION TWO

Add, Change, or Remove File Properties in "Properties dialog box"

1. Right click on the file that you want to modify the properties of, then click on Properties and the Details tab.

2. Under Value, click next to the property (ex: Authors) that you want to modify until you see a box pop-up (ex: around Corbis). (see screenshots below)

   Note

• If the section under Value appears blank, click in that spot. A box will appear.
• Some properties can't be added or changed. In those cases, clicking next to the value won't change its appearance to see a box.

3. To Add a Property

A) Select or type in the property, then press enter. For example, add a author name. (see screenshots below step 2)
NOTE: To add more than one property, separate each entry with a semicolon ; . To rate a file by using the ratings property, click the star that represents the rating you want to apply.

4. To Change a Property

A) Backspace over the current property, then type in the new property and press enter. For example, backspace over the old author name and type in a new one. (see screenshots below step 2)

5. To Remove a Property under "Details" tab

A) Backspace over the current property, then press enter. For example, backspace over the old author name until it's blank (Add an author) and press enter. (see screenshots below step 2)

6. To Remove a Property in "Remove Properties" Dialog Box
NOTE: The Remove Properties dialog box only removes properties that were added using Windows. If you added properties using a different program, then you must remove those properties using that same program.

A) Click on the Remove Properties and Personal Information link. (see screenshot below)

B) Do one of the following: (see screenshot below)

• Select (dot) Create a copy with all possible properties removed, and then click OK.
  NOTE: This keeps the original version of the file with all of its properties, and just makes a copy of the file with all of the properties removed.
• Select (dot) Remove the following properties from this file. Check the boxes of any properties that you want removed from the file, then click on OK.
  NOTE: This permanently removes the selected properties from the file without making a copy of the file.

7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 for any other properties that you want to modify for this file.

8. When finished, click on OK. (see screenshots below step 2)