Windows 11 - how do I set default view for details (other thread solutions don't work or Windows 11)

Hi Jeffrey,

I am Dave, I will help you with this.

1
Open a folder, then set the view the way you like it to be.

Click the 3 dots at the top of File Explorer and select Options

On the resulting dialog, select the View tab and click the 'Apply to Folders' button.

That will set the view on all folders of that type.

2
There are a few folder types (Documents, Pictures, Mixed Items, Videos...etc.) in Windows and if you want to set the view for any folder type, perform the steps in 1 above for one folder and that will set the view for all folders of that type.

That was really helpful. Thanks a lot!

It finally got rid of this massive annoyance that possessed me to go so far as to try to get Windows 10 back, and I'm honestly surprised that Windows 11 hasn't received any updates since its release in autumn-winter 2021 to fix this problem wherein the thing keeps annoyingly switching one's preferred file icons back to details unless they happen to know some kind of intricate, elaborate trick like the one you just demonstrated. They've released countless updates for Windows 11 since its release to fix minute problems that most probably haven't even noticed, yet they still haven't fixed this fundamental problem that, for a long time, made me wish to pull my hair out and bang my head against the wall out of frustration.

This is was great. Again, thanks a lot!

Thank you! Very helpful information.

The option "Also apply this template to all subfolders" works great in Windows 10.

Unfortunately, it does not work with the Windows 11 Explorer (as of KB5008353, build 22000.469, in January 2022). Since that update, Explorer's automatic folder type discovery runs repeatedly, overriding your manual folder type selection (for NTFS local volumes). So, unless you happen to set the folder type to what Explorer wants to set it to anyhow, it's a fight you'll lose. Also, since that update, that feature does not work at all on non-NTFS volumes.

Please note that some Windows 11 users have switched to the Windows 10 Explorer (aka "Ribbon UI") via tools such as StartAllBack, ExplorerPatcher, or my free SwitchExplorer. In that case, "Also apply this template to all subfolders" will work.

Hey everyone! Not sure if this thread is still buzzing, but here’s what’s going on:

Windows automatically assigns a “template” whenever you create a new folder. Unfortunately, subfolders don’t always inherit that template, so you end up with a patchwork of different views. That’s why the usual Options → Apply to Folders button doesn’t seem to stick—it only affects folders that already share the same template.

Here’s an easy fix:

1. Open the top-level folder you want as the standard.
2. Right-click → Properties → Customize.
3. From the drop-down, pick the "template" you prefer. (General Items, Documents, Pictures, etc)
4. Check “Also apply this template to all subfolders,” then hit Apply.
5. Tweak this folder’s view however you like—Details, no Status Bar, columns, the works.
6. Go to Options → View and click Apply to Folders.

All subfolders should now mirror your layout.

The only catch: this template applies to every folder of that type across your system, no matter where it lives.

Hope that tidies things up!