Folder View - Apply to Folders

How to "Apply to Folders" a Specific Folder View to All Folders with the Same Folder Template in Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to Apply to Folders a specific folder's folder view to all folders that have been optimized with the same folder template as it in Windows 7.

   Tip

If you would like to reset the changes applied to all folders back to the default folder view settings, then see: How to Reset the Folder View settings for All Folders in Windows 7

   Warning

The folder view of Computer, Favorites (not IE Favorites), and library folders cannot be applied to all folders.

The Apply to Folders button will be grayed out if Folder Options is opened in these folders.

Here's How: 1. Navigate to the folder that you want to apply it's folder views to all folders with the same folder template as it. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: For example, C:\Users\Public\Public Pictures\Sample Pictures that has the Pictures folder template by default.



2. Make any changes to the Group by, Sort by, Arrange by arrangement , Icon Size, column width, add/remove columns, or View arrangement in this folder that you would like to have applied to all folders with the same folder template as it. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: For example, I changed the Icon Size to Medium Icons, and to be Grouped by Names.
3. When done, open Folder Options from within this same folder (step 1) window and not through the Control Panel or from another folder. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You would want to use either OPTION TWO or OPTION THREE at that link.
4. Click on the View tab, then click on the Apply to Folders button. (See sceenshot above)
NOTE: If the Apply to Folders button is grayed out, then you may have not opened Folder Options from within the same folder. See WARNING box at the top of the tutorial if you did for why it may still be grayed out.

5. Click on Yes to confirm. (See screenshot below)
6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 3)

7. Whenever you open any folder with the same folder template as the folder from step 1, you will now see it have the same folder view.
NOTE: This would be for all folders with the Pictures folder template for the example C:\Users\Public\Public Pictures\Sample Pictures folder that I have used in step 1.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Back Up and Restore Your Folder View Settings in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Change a Folder Template in Windows 7
• How to Set a Default Folder Template for All Folders in Windows 7
• How to Change the File and Folder View Arrangement in Windows 7 Explorer
• How to Change the Icon Size in a Windows 7 Explorer Window
• How to Change the Group by, Sort by, and Arrange by Folder View in Windows 7 Explorer
• How to Reset the Folder View Settings for All Folders with the Same Folder Template in Windows 7
• How to Reset All Folder View Settings to Default in Windows 7
• How to Set a Default Folder View for All Folders in Windows 7
• How to Disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Explorer to have Free Sorting
• How to Add or Remove Windows Explorer Columns
• How to Change the Width of Columns in Windows Explorer

 

[cybercontroler]

thanks Brink nice tutorial I was wondering what way to do it, do you know what registry key save this config ?

 

[Brink]

Hello Cyberscontroler,

I'm afraid that I do not know.

 

[MrsD]

Trying to follow this for a search window - Apply to Folders button is grayed out - the warning and notes do not apply.
?

 

[Brink]

Hello MrsD,

This will not work in a search window since it's not technically a "folder" window. Sorry.

 

[MrsD]

Hello MrsD,

This will not work in a search window since it's not technically a "folder" window. Sorry.

thank you very much for the lighting fast reply

was trying to apply this : Howto customize search result columns - Vista Forums
to win7 - any ideas on that ?

 

[Brink]

MrsD,

You might give the tutorial below a try with another folder to apply the folder view to all folders, and hopefully include the search window as well.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/41198-folder-view-set-default-all-folders.html

 

[markaz]

BUMP

Do you know how many different "templates" there are that would have to be physically changed and then applied so that any folder that opens has what I want showing. Example, if I set up folder (C:\Users\Me\XYZ), apply the settings, then open (C:\Users\Me), it is set up differently. How many folder types (templates) must be set up and applied to the same folder types such that all are the same?

 

[stereo]

I dont know why, but for some reason i can't acces the button " apply to folders" anymore.
But in the past i used this button. How can i make it back ?
Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hello stereo,

Be sure that you open Folder Options (Tools - menu bar) from within the exact same Windows Explorer folder window that you want to apply. If you open Folder Options from any other location (ex: Control Panel), "Apply to Folders" will be grayed out like that.

 

[stereo]

Got it, thanks a lot, Brink.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[markaz]

To date I believe that I have changed the settings on four (4) folders and they all open and appear the same at this point (with the exception of Contacts of course). So maybe that's it, but I was just wondering how different templates there are that have to be changed so that all appear the same. No reply necessary as it appears the answer the answer is four.

 

[Brink]

Hello Mark,

There are 5 default General Items, Documents, Pictures, Music, and Video folder templates that users can select from, plus the "Contacts" one used by your C:\Users\(user-name)\Contacts folder.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[markaz]

Thanks, Brink...that is exactly what I wanted to know.

Where do I get to the Program Properties window in your post?

 

[markaz]

Nevermind....I found what I was wanting to know in your other tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3918-folder-template-change.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3918-folder-template-change.html

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Mark.

 

[DjRem]

Ok, but the view by default is able to adapt if the folder contains only folders or files.
For music, I would show some more columns but when I apply the changes to all folders, I lose the display mosaic albums. It is not very serious, but if there is a solution, I'm interrested.

thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello DjRem, and welcome to Seven Forums.

With this tutorial, any folder view you have set for the folder you use "Apply to folders" with will be applied to all folders on the computer that use the same same folder template (ex: "Music" template) as the one you used "Apply to folders" with.

You would still be able to manually set the folder views to how you like for any folder though.

Could you post some screenshots to help show what you wanted the best you can, and what folder path or library this is in. We'll be happy to help you with getting it set back.

 

[DjRem]

In fact, I just noticed that it is only when we do not change the type of a folder and sub-folders that Windows handles the display depending on the content.
I understand that you could not change the user libraries default view, right?
I would like in my music library, the folders containing other folders have a list view, and folders containing music files have a detailed view, with my column selection.