Solved Certain folder views randomly changing on their own

[nev]

I've been browsing this forum for quite a while, it's been most helpful at times. Unfortunately, I've hit a brick wall with this most recent problem of mine and it's driving me absolutely insane.

Here's the basics: about a month and a half ago, I started to notice certain folders in my Windows 7 HP 64-bit install will randomly change folder views to something else. It will usually change to details view.

Now, I like to keep my Downloads folder (shortcut link under Favorites in Windows Explorer) in list view. My Libraries folder (which opens by default in Windows Explorer) is usually set to tiles view. Generally, most folders I prefer to keep in list view. Another example is the normal Program Files folder for 64-bit program installations.

For some extremely unknown and frustrating reason, these folders mentioned above will seemingly randomly change to details view all by themselves with no reason as to why.

Some time ago I had done some cleaning and noticed a bunch of 'desktop.ini' files. I looked up what they were and decided I could safely delete most of them in the Users\Public and Users\[me] folders. I did this for the most part but then decided maybe not to delete all of them, so I didn't. I suspected this may have been causing the problem, so I booted up Windows 7 virtual machine and copied over the system-made files again and replaced them.

This did not fix the problem.

Another strange thing is that I have not been able to isolate the cause. I could go for half a week and the Downloads folder would stay in list view like it should. Then I make a new folder or change folder views and it goes back to details view again by itself. I could change Downloads to list view, click the Favorites folder link, and then click Downloads again and then BAM back to details.

Even stranger, this problem only affects certain folders, like the ones I've mentioned. Literally every folder on my D: drive keeps its settings except for one that I know of. It has no problem remembering list view or whatever except for one folder where I put videos. It will stay in list view for a while and then suddenly change to large icons.

Did some research just now (and yes I joined JUST for this ridiculous problem) and came up with a couple things. One page on this site mentioned an update that resolves it, but I don't see that update available to download and install and it's also not even installed either.

The other thing I found sounds more promising. I found this:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/813711

I'm thinking (and hoping, praying, what have you) that this will fix the problem and it's that simple. But the negative side of me is saying "it won't work." I haven't ran the FixIt yet or tried to manually fix it yet because I wanted to post my problem first and see what others think.

Please someone help me with this. I'm going to lose my mind soon if my folders change any more without my consent. Please also be aware I understand how Libraries work. I know that changing Documents to list will also change any subfolders to list when viewed in the library. This is NOT the problem. This is totally different.

Thanks for reading and please, please help me.

 

[GokAy]

Create a manual System Restore point (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html) and try the MS fixit, if it doesn't help:

Get DesktopINIFix from Fix Desktop.INI files in Special Folders using DesktopINIFix for Windows Vista - The Winhelponline Blog and fix the folders with the issue.

Also scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free just in case.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Folder Template

Have you set your Folder Templates?

Tutorial
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3918-folder-template-change.html

 

[UsernameIssues]

...about a month and a half ago, I started to notice certain folders in my Windows 7 HP 64-bit install will randomly change folder views to something else....

See my ramblings and video in this old post:
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...l-programs-programs-features.html#post2494172

Below the video is a link to a tutorial that might help you.

 

[nev]

Create a manual System Restore point (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html) and try the MS fixit, if it doesn't help:

Get DesktopINIFix from Fix Desktop.INI files in Special Folders using DesktopINIFix for Windows Vista - The Winhelponline Blog and fix the folders with the issue.

Also scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free just in case.

Ran scans, nothing found. Replaced all desktop.ini files, nothing. Haven't ran the FixIt yet, but I might soon because nothing else is working.

Have you set your Folder Templates?

Tutorial
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3918-folder-template-change.html

I've only changed a couple folders because they were actually wrong (music for general items for example), but other than that I don't change them.

See my ramblings and video in this old post:
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...l-programs-programs-features.html#post2494172

Below the video is a link to a tutorial that might help you.

This is basically what the FixIt will change right?

 

[lehnerus2000]

You need to set your own templates as Windows decides what to show you in Windows Explorer based on the files that are in a folder.

For example, you may have a group of text files in a folder and it may be displayed a certain way in Windows Explorer (e.g. Details).
If you add images, music or video files, Windows Explorer may change the way the info is displayed (e.g. swap to Large Icons).

What you need to do is go to a folder:

1. Choose the Folder Template you want from the list
2. Set the Detail columns and View
3. Go to the View tab in the Folder Options window
4. Click on "Apply to Folders"

​

What I normally do is:

1. Initially set my all of my folders to the "General" Folder Template
2. I choose the Details that I want to see in Details view (and set the column widths)
3. Click on "Apply to Folders"

I then set the templates for other folder types (e.g. music, pictures, video, etc.):

1. Set any extra Details or change the View (e.g. Large Icons) that I want for that folder
2. Click on "Apply to Folders"
3. I repeat this until I have set all the Folder Templates I want

 

[nev]

Sorry to bump this but I did manage to fix the issue about a month after the last post and I'd like to post what worked for me in case someone else has the same issue and want to fix it.

One of the most annoying problems in Windows Vista and later Windows versions is the automatic
change of a folder view type. Imagine a situation when you set a desired view type of a folder
(such as large icons, list, details, etc) and after some time Windows automatically changes its
view type to "Pictures and Videos" or any other view type when you copy a picture or video file
to this folder.

It's a very common problem in Windows Vista and later OS which almost all Windows users are
facing. Actually it happens because of "Automatic Folder Type Discovery" feature which was
introduced in Windows Vista but instead of making something good, this feature has made the
life of Windows users worst as Windows doesn't remember your customized view types for
folders and automatically resets the view type based on folder content.

But now no need to worry, there are some registry tricks to fix this annoying problem. This
trick will reset the view settings of all folders and then it'll completely disable the
automatic folder type discovery feature, so you'll not face this problem any more and Windows
will always remember your customized view type settings for all folders.

So follow these simple steps to fix this annoying problem:

1. Type regedit in RUN or Start search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor.

2. Now navigate to following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

3. Under "Shell" key, select "Bags" key and press "Delete" key. It'll ask for confirmation,
click on Yes button.

4. Now right-click on "Shell" key and select "New -> Key" option. Set the name of new key
as "Bags"

5. Now right-click on "Bags" key and select "New -> Key" option. Set the name of new key
as "AllFolders"

6. Again right-click on "AllFolders" key and select "New -> Key" option. Now set the name
of new key as "Shell." So the final key path will be:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell

7. Now click on this new "Shell" key and in right-side pane, create a new String value and
give it name as "FolderType" and set its value to "NotSpecified"

8. Now Windows will no longer change folder views based on content, but it MAY still keep
forgetting your view settings (such as list or tiles)

9. Windows may keep forgetting the folder type view settings. This occurs because by default,
Windows Vista or Windows 7 is set to remember folder view settings for only 5000 folders.
In Windows XP it was 400, but has been increased in Windows Vista it is 5000. The way out
is to increase this value to, say, 10000 folders. You can do so as follows:

10. Open regedit and navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

11. In the right side pane, right click > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value > Name it "BagMRU Size"

12. Next right click "BagMRU Size" > Click Modify.

13. Select Decimal and type 10000 (or in Hexadecimal base type 2710). Click OK.

14. Reboot. You should now be able to set any view for any folder on your entire system and
it will never be forgotten, unless you go on a folder rampage and flood your registry
with new folder view setting saves. If this ever happens again, you can simply repeat
the process and be good again.