How can I customize compressed folders in Windows 7 Explorer?

[LowStrung]

I would like to permanently adjust the widths of some columns in Windows compressed folders and hide some others, but globally, not just for one particular Zip file. The customize option doesn't show up in compressed folders, however, and if I hide some columns or change their widths, my settings are retained for only that particular Zip. My first thought was to go to the folder options under View and ask to use the same layout for all folders of this type, but I'm not sure that it won't affect the layouts of my non-compressed folders. Ideas, anyone?

 

[Berton]

Compressed Folders don't display files in them the same as the uncompressed ones, probably have to open them with something like 7-Zip [free] or WinZip [not free] and make the settings there.

 

[LowStrung]

Compressed Folders don't display files in them the same as the uncompressed ones, probably have to open them with something like 7-Zip [free] or WinZip [not free] and make the settings there.

Yes, I know, and I already have Bandizip -- don't care for 7-Zip, which I've also used at times -- but sometimes I would like to use the compressed folders approach, because it allows me to copy and paste to and from the archive. Bandizip doesn't allow for that, and 7-Zip's file manager doesn't support it, either. At any rate, I wasn't concerned with the display of the archived files themselves, but the appearance of the file list. For example, I want to hide the columns headed Type (I can tell that from the extensions) and Compressed Size (all I want to see are the original file sizes). The extra information makes the list too wide, so that it needs to be scrolled from side to side, even on a wide screen. Also, the date column is too narrow and truncates the dates. I can widen it, but it will only stay that way for one specific archive.

 

[Berton]

I'm not sure that it won't affect the layouts of my non-compressed folders

Afraid it would affect all Folders. Windows Explorer can display the contents of compressed files [show as Folders] but the setting for how to display the features have to be set each time one is opened if not wanting them to be all the same. A similar issue can occur with music files.

 

[LowStrung]

Afraid it would affect all Folders. Windows Explorer can display the contents of compressed files [show as Folders] but the setting for how to display the features have to be set each time one is opened if not wanting them to be all the same. A similar issue can occur with music files.

What's missing in Windows 7's folder customization list is a specific folder type for compressed folders. I have successfully set General Items to details view with my preferred layout: Name, Date modified, Size and Attributes -- nothing else. This I use for most of my folders, even for those containing only images; there I toggle thumbnails on and off. A few special folders, such as Computer and Links I've set individually, and they stay that way. Same goes for one of the subfolders of the start menu.

The archives are being displayed in details view, although not the details I have in General Items, which I had hoped to match. I see now that an attributes column isn't available in compressed folders, anyway.

Oh, well, I guess I'll just have to put up with Windows 7's inconsistencies , but thanks for your replies, Berton!

 

[Berton]

You're welcome. I get frustrated at times but just have to work through it.