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

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• 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

 

[Brink]

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.

You could still change the folder view of a library, but all included folders in the library share the same folder view. The included folders in a library cannot have their own separate folder views.

 

[DjRem]

yes ok. Well, it's not a very serious problem. I think I just survive without it.

 

[Brink]

Yeah, that's the only downfall with libraries and all included folders sharing the same folder view.

 

[Clairvaux]

Windows non-Explorer

This is one of the most frustrating areas of Windows 7. Windows Explorer offers many possibilities to play with the way it shows things (and I'm using on purpose the most un-Microsoft and non-specific way of saying it), but when it comes to customizing it in a consistent way, all across one's folders, the logic of the beast is ridiculously complicated to grasp, and controls are all over the place.

To give an example of this user-hostile programming, here is what you had to write on a related thread :

If Apply to Folders was used to set folder views and templates, then this tutorial will not reset them to default since "Apply to Folders" makes what you set the new default. Instead, you will need to use Reset Folders to be able to reset each folder template back to default.

That's the sort of thing that drives me mad... I have been hopping from one related thread to another through links for quite a while now, and I still cannot get the big picture.

Do you think it might be possible to merge some of those tutorials into a larger one, in order to shed light on Microsoft's "logic" ? Maybe it has already been done and I haven't found it ?

One of my pet peeves is the way the option to hide or unhide file extensions is buried deep inside the menus. Now I know how to do that, but it should be brought back right in front. I find myself constantly needing to switch from one state to another. Changing from large icons to small icons, not so much.

 

[Brink]

Hello Clairvaux,

Please explain what you are wanting to do, and we may be able to come up with a solution for you.

 

[marlonibiza]

HOW TO ADD BITRATE TO ALL FOLDER AT ONCE IN WIN 7

Hi there Sir;

uhhmm, i don't really know how this work or if im in the right direction, but i've a question;

Can anybody please be so kind to tell HOW DO I ADD THE BITRATE IN ONE GO TO ALL FOLDERS IN WINDOWS 7???
Ive a huge collection of music files for my hobby & work at the same time, but everytime i go into a folder of sub folders, ive to manually add the bit rate (its a pain), like i wanna see the track with 320 or 128 bit rate, but i can seems to find that out, been google it for awhile and google always send me to your forum, (sorry im kinda new to this)

 

[Brink]

Hello Malonibiza, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Double check using step 1 to make sure that the folder template is set to "Music" with the "Also apply this template to all subfolders".

Afterwards, do the rest of the steps in the tutorial to set the folder view how you want with the bit rate column, then use "Apply to folders" to have it applied to all folders using the "Music" template.

 

[marlonibiza]

Hi there mr. Brink, ok thnx U, im gona tried that and ill get back to You, whether it works yes or no

Thank you kindly for your time,,,

Marlon

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Marlon. I hope it will help.

 

[marlonibiza]

Hahahahahah, Mr. Brink you're a genius,, i owe you BIG time,, if we ever come across, ill buy You 10 drinks, swear, BIG THANK YOU AND A LOT OF GOD BLESSING TO YOU;;;))))))

Ohh another thing, how do i change my profile pic??

Thank you kindly; i'm not gonna even sleep tonight;))

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

The link below is where to change your avatar that shows in your post.

http://www.sevenforums.com/profile.php?do=editavatar

The link below is where to change the profile picture that shows on your profile page.

http://www.sevenforums.com/profile.php?do=editprofilepic