Make Windows 7 remember window positions and size!

[SquonkSC]

I restarted Windows and it remembered the folder settings...

I hope this can put this little scuffle to rest...

Glad to be of service.

Now please kiss and make up.

By the way. It took me only 30 seconds to find it with Google.

 

[Zidane24]

I restarted Windows and it remembered the folder settings...

I hope this can put this little scuffle to rest...

Glad to be of service.

Now please kiss and make up.

By the way. It took me only 30 seconds to find it with Google.

Err...no

I figured a simple google search would suffice...but this is an issue that is personal not global

 

[Zidane24]

Now that a fix is present...no one responds?

 

[SquonkSC]

Now that a fix is present...no one responds?

That figures.

Guess they are busy to find the next thing to complain about.

Joke folks, don't take it to heart.

 

[JoeyCalamaro]

Well it doesn't work for me but I didn't want to add fuel to the fire. That said, I followed the step by step (though Windows 7 itself doesn't have the option to remember folder views at all), rebooted and then I:

1. Set my documents folder to a certain size and icon view.
2. Set my downloads folder to a different size and icon view.
3. Closed both folders.
4. Opened them back up.

They're both the same exact size. So either I didn't follow instructions (always a possibility) or we're not all on the same page in regards to what the problem is.

 

[Zidane24]

Well it doesn't work for me but I didn't want to add fuel to the fire. That said, I followed the step by step (though Windows 7 itself doesn't have the option to remember folder views at all), rebooted and then I:

1. Set my documents folder to a certain size and icon view.
2. Set my downloads folder to a different size and icon view.
3. Closed both folders.
4. Opened them back up.

They're both the same exact size. So either I didn't follow instructions (always a possibility) or we're not all on the same page in regards to what the problem is.

Looks like you are correct...it saves the folder appearance per application...

Meaning Windows Explorer keeps its position, Firefox keeps its position...etc...

 

[SquonkSC]

Well it doesn't work for me but I didn't want to add fuel to the fire. That said, I followed the step by step (though Windows 7 itself doesn't have the option to remember folder views at all), rebooted and then I:

1. Set my documents folder to a certain size and icon view.
2. Set my downloads folder to a different size and icon view.
3. Closed both folders.
4. Opened them back up.

They're both the same exact size. So either I didn't follow instructions (always a possibility) or we're not all on the same page in regards to what the problem is.

did you download the zipped registry file the guy posted?

you need to extract the registry file and doubleclick on it,
because the written explanation also contain wrong lines as example.

Good luck

 

[Zidane24]

Well it doesn't work for me but I didn't want to add fuel to the fire. That said, I followed the step by step (though Windows 7 itself doesn't have the option to remember folder views at all), rebooted and then I:

1. Set my documents folder to a certain size and icon view.
2. Set my downloads folder to a different size and icon view.
3. Closed both folders.
4. Opened them back up.

They're both the same exact size. So either I didn't follow instructions (always a possibility) or we're not all on the same page in regards to what the problem is.

did you download the zipped registry file the guy posted?

you need to extract the registry file and doubleclick on it,
because the written explanation also contain wrong lines as example.

Good luck

The instructions involve turning off Keep folder settings or what not which was removed in 7...

His solution in half correct...that part needs a workaround

 

[JoeyCalamaro]

Looks like you are correct...it saves the folder appearance per application...
Meaning Windows Explorer keeps its position, Firefox keeps its position...etc...

Well that's probably an improvement over what it was. I spent a week on Windows 7 and it seemed as if nothing remembered its size or position. Considering I use quad monitors it was like playing a slot machine every time I launched an application.

This Firefox window opens on... monitor 4! Outlook opens on monitor 1! I know that seems like a minor complaint but it was seriously driving me batty. I've spent the better part of two decades meticulously setting up my workspace and it's really inefficient to have to learn to reset it over and over and over all day.

This is especially true for my project folders. Each folder has a photo folder set to large icon view, a web folder set to details, a project resources folder set to content, etc. On my Mac they all open up adjacent to one another as so I can properly see all relevant client documents at once in their ideal views (and all on the same monitor). This workflow was simply impossible on Windows 7.

 

[Zidane24]

Looks like you are correct...it saves the folder appearance per application...
Meaning Windows Explorer keeps its position, Firefox keeps its position...etc...

Well that's probably an improvement over what it was. I spent a week on Windows 7 and it seemed as if nothing remembered its size or position. Considering I use quad monitors it was like playing a slot machine every time I launched an application.

This Firefox window opens on... monitor 4! Outlook opens on monitor 1! I know that seems like a minor complaint but it was seriously driving me batty. I've spent the better part of two decades meticulously setting up my workspace and it's really inefficient to have to learn to reset it over and over and over all day.

This is especially true for my project folders. Each folder has a photo folder set to icon view, large, a web folder set to details, a project resources folder set to content, etc. On my Mac they all open up adjacent to one another as so I can properly see all relevant client documents at once in their ideal views (and all on the same monitor). This workflow was simply impossible on Windows 7.

If you just ran the reg file than that would be the correct way to install the tweak on 7...

Joey can you test something? Can you place Explorer on like Monitor 3, restart and run it to see if it at least keeps which monitor it shows up on...

 

[JoeyCalamaro]

Unfortunately I can't test it right now. My quad monitor setup is a dual boot partition on my Mac Pro workstation. My little test here was just on a VM on my desktop. I'll try to remember to test it in the AM, however.

Obviously I can confirm that it didn't work prior to the hack. Most of the Microsoft apps always launched on monitor one, no matter where I placed them. Firefox seemed to have ADHD; every window spawned on a new monitor, randomly (though in fairness I did often keep Firefox windows on multiple monitors). Offhand the only app that ever remembered its position was Trillian.

 

[helmutcheese]

Why aren't thousands of people posting in this topic by now?
Is it because windows 7 sucks so much that people didn't get it again, or is it because everybody uses a single window for the whole os? Or maybe there is a much more popular forum that deals with this thing and I don't know about it?

This was voted "Best Windows Website 2009" so there is no popular Windows based website past this one

Second this issue is neither showstopper or important for that matter. If this issue prevented you from physically using the OS (not mentally) than I would understand.

If you don't like it than either contact Microsoft and complain, use a different OS, or suck it up and learn to live with it. I don't mean to sound harsh but you are thinking only of your issue and not of how this issue relates to the whole...you are being single-minded

Speak for yourself, showstopper for me, Win 7 is POS IMO.

 

[helmutcheese]

BTW, I know peeps keep posting fixes for Vista but they DO NOT work in Win7.

Vista had this function but code left over from XP was the issue there, so it was eventuality fixed by a clever peep.

 

[wilfj]

I just started using Windows 7 over the weekend (I'm a Mac guy) and I have to say that this is driving me INSANE. I've got quad monitors and a variety of different types of folders. Some contain large icons as a sort of makeshift launcher, or a means to preview media, others contain lists of hundreds (if not thousands) of files. To think that I'd want to view all of these folders the same exact way is pure madness.

Even worse, my applications don't remember their positions. I've got limited experience with Windows in general but on a Mac if you place an application's window in a certain place it stays there - even between reboots. This allows me to properly set up my workspace across all monitors.

On Windows 7, it's haphazard at best. Outlook might remember which monitor its on (maybe) but it certainly won't remember its position. Firefox is even worse - it randomly opens windows on any given monitor. And any app that serves up regular notification windows (such as Comodo Firewall) can't be moved at all. They always show up on the primary monitor - no matter where I put them.

And now I'm learning that these things aren't bugs, they're features? Ouch. I think my little Windows experiment is over...

Well, the way I look at it MS keeps us every busy, we won't say were playing games on the computer to our family and friends but in fact that's what I've been doing since I loaded Window V11 two months ago. Now I'm waiting for the first Service Pac to destroy ever thing I've done. It's OK as Service Pac 11 will follow shortly so we'll all be back to square one.

There has to be something better, but it sure is fun. Your friend at Parker Bros.

 

[Dixon Butz]

I restarted Windows and it remembered the folder settings...

I hope this can put this little scuffle to rest...

This fix has nothing to do with Win7's remembering window size and postition and will not work.

 

[SquonkSC]

Gents, don't forget that XP didn't remember the folders and settings as well,
and needed the reg hack to get it fixed.

One smart cookie will surely figure it out, just give it a bit of time.
I'm sure there will be little programs to enhance multi monitor setup, and remembrance of folder settings.
This has always been the case with every OS.

At least Windows give us the opportunity to hack and tweak it to our liking.
And lets face it, that's why we like it in the first place.

If OSX's behavior doesn't suite you, you are basically screwed.

Personally I would hate for my folders to remember how I opened them the last time,
because I don't often do the same thing, or go to the same place twice.

So it's a matter of taste and preference, but I agree there should be a way to chose how you like it.

That reminds me of a thread I started where you can put in requests to MS.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/29842-requests-microsoft.html

Before you post there, make sure you read the rules!
Not complying to them, will get your post deleted.

Greetings.

 

[Antman]

I have been lazily observing this thread (and a related one or two) for a couple of days now. There is something that I am missing - Make Windows remember windows position and sizes.

When I have my second monitor on, the apps I want to run on that monitor open on that monitor. When the second monitor is not on, those apps work fine on the primary monitor. On my primary monitor, my apps remember their screen position and size. Even better - when I open a second instance of Explorer (windowed) it opens in a cascaded (offset down and right) position from the previous window.

Even non-MS apps remember their size and position.

I did not hack anything to accomplish this. I did not ALT/CTL/SHIFT click anything to accomplish this.

Am I missing what the point of this thread is?

 

[Dixon Butz]

I have been lazily observing this thread (and a related one or two) for a couple of days now. There is something that I am missing - Make Windows remember windows position and sizes.

When I have my second monitor on, the apps I want to run on that monitor open on that monitor. When the second monitor is not on, those apps work fine on the primary monitor. On my primary monitor, my apps remember their screen position and size. Even better - when I open a second instance of Explorer (windowed) it opens in a cascaded (offset down and right) position from the previous window.

Even non-MS apps remember their size and position.

I did not hack anything to accomplish this. I did not ALT/CTL/SHIFT click anything to accomplish this.

Am I missing what the point of this thread is?

Yes you are. This issue is only with explorer windows size and postion. Not applications

 

[Antman]

I have been lazily observing this thread (and a related one or two) for a couple of days now. There is something that I am missing - Make Windows remember windows position and sizes.

When I have my second monitor on, the apps I want to run on that monitor open on that monitor. When the second monitor is not on, those apps work fine on the primary monitor. On my primary monitor, my apps remember their screen position and size. Even better - when I open a second instance of Explorer (windowed) it opens in a cascaded (offset down and right) position from the previous window.

Even non-MS apps remember their size and position.

I did not hack anything to accomplish this. I did not ALT/CTL/SHIFT click anything to accomplish this.

Am I missing what the point of this thread is?

Yes you are. This issue is only with explorer windows size and postion. Not applications

Allow me to expand -

Windows Explorer remembers it's window sizes and positions. Even better - when I open a second instance of Explorer (windowed) it opens in a cascaded (offset down and right) position from the previous window.

 

[SquonkSC]

I have been lazily observing this thread (and a related one or two) for a couple of days now. There is something that I am missing - Make Windows remember windows position and sizes.

When I have my second monitor on, the apps I want to run on that monitor open on that monitor. When the second monitor is not on, those apps work fine on the primary monitor. On my primary monitor, my apps remember their screen position and size. Even better - when I open a second instance of Explorer (windowed) it opens in a cascaded (offset down and right) position from the previous window.

Even non-MS apps remember their size and position.

I did not hack anything to accomplish this. I did not ALT/CTL/SHIFT click anything to accomplish this.

Am I missing what the point of this thread is?

Good question,

There are two things being mixed together, that have little to do with each other.

One thing is windows remembering size and position, which it does on my PC's too without any problem,
so I think the problem is an individual one.

Another thing is windows remembering an explorer layout per folder, which it doesn't.
(layout meaning left/right pane view enabled or not etc..)

When you alter the view and close the explorer, the next folder you open will look like the last view.
So windows remembers the last value, not the ones you set before.

I stated that personally I like the fact my explorer does remember how I set the view the last time, and not the times before that.
but I agree that having it as an option would be beneficial to some user's particular needs.

Especially to users that still setup their desktops the way they did with windows 3.1.
just kidding, but it's actually been said here:

For example, I have a folder named "Games" that contains icons to run about 50 different games (Yes, I know this harks back to Program Manager in Windows 3.1 -- I've been using Windows since 1982!)

I have chosen not to post the name to avoid further embarrassment.

Further more, I already gave the link to http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/29842-requests-microsoft.html in this thread, but so far nobody has put in any request on these matters, so I guess it isn't a big deal to many users. :sarc: