How to keep my Windows file listing the same in all folders

Updated: 04/09/2024 by Computer Hope
File view mode

After changing the file view mode for a folder in File Explorer, you may want to set all other folders to appear and function similarly. To set a single file view mode for all folders in File Explorer, select your version of Windows from the list below and follow the instructions.

Windows 11

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. In the left pane, click the arrow (A) next to This PC.
  3. Under This PC, click the C: drive (B) to view its contents.
  4. Click the View option (C) in the menu bar at the top of the File Explorer window.
  5. In the drop-down menu, select Extra large icons, Large icons, Medium Icons, Small icons, List, Details, Tiles, or Content (D) to change the size and display layout of files and folders.

View drop-down menu in Windows 11 File Explorer.

  1. Next to the View option in File Explorer, click the See more (ellipsis) option (E).
  2. Select Options (F) from the drop-down menu.

See more menu in Windows 11 File Explorer.

  1. In the Folder Options window, click the View tab.
  2. Click the Apply to Folders button to share this setting with all subfolders.

Apply current folder display to all subfolders in Windows 11 File Explorer.

  1. Click OK in the Folder Options window to apply the change.
Note

Only folders of the same type as those in the C: drive are changed to use the same layout. If the layout in one or more other folders did not change, repeat the steps above, as it may be a different type of folder.

Windows 8 and Windows 10

  1. Press Windows key+E (hold down the Windows key and press E) to open File Explorer.
  2. In the left pane, click This PC.
  3. Double-click the C: drive in the right pane.

C drive after selecting This PC in Windows 10 File Explorer.

  1. Click the View tab at the top of the File Explorer window, if not already selected.
  2. In the Layout section, select Extra large icons, Large icons, Medium Icons, Small icons, List, Details, Tiles, or Content to change to the desired file view mode.

File display options in Windows Explorer - Windows 10.

  1. On the View tab again, click Options on the right side of the menu bar.

Folder Options in Windows Explorer - Windows 10.

  1. In the Folder Options window, click the View tab.
  2. Click the Apply to Folders button to share this setting with all subfolders.

Apply current folder display to all subfolders.

  1. Click OK in the Folder Options window to apply the change.
Note

Only folders of the same type as those in the C: drive are changed to use the same layout. If the layout in one or more other folders did not change, repeat the steps above, as it may be a different type of folder.

Windows 7 and earlier

  1. Open My Computer or File Explorer.
  2. In the left pane, click My Computer or Computer.
  3. Click View in the menu at the top of the window. If you do not see the View menu, press the Alt key to make it visible.
  4. In the View menu, select Extra large icons, Large icons, Medium Icons, Small icons, List, Details, Tiles, or Content to change to the desired file view mode.
  5. Click View again in the menu at the top of the File Explorer window.
  6. In the View menu, select Folder Options.
  7. In the Folder Options window, click the View tab.
  8. Click the Apply to Folders button to apply the file view mode to all folders.
  9. Click OK in the Folder Options window to apply the change.