# Default folder view to "list"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-folder-view-to-list/87057>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 12, 2001, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-folder-view-to-list/87057 "2001-10-12T15:00:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chekmate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@Chekmate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chekmate)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-folder-view-to-list/87057/1 "2001-10-12T15:00:34Z")

</div>

is there any way to switch my default for when I open any folder to “list” format, instead of having to see the large icons all the time?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-folder-view-to-list/87057/2 "2001-10-12T15:08:32Z")

</div>

I second **Checkmate’s** call for assistance. I haven’t been able to work out how to do it, and whenever you change a folder name, or move a folder, every sub-folder reverts back to large icons and has to be changed again.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![3waygeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e95f7d/32.png) [@3waygeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3waygeek)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-folder-view-to-list/87057/3 "2001-10-12T15:09:23Z")

</div>

Set the view up the way you want it, then bring up Folder Options. Make sure “Remember each folder’s view settings” is NOT checked, then hit the “Like Current Folder” button.

That’s worked for me on 95, 98, NT, 2K, and XP.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-folder-view-to-list/87057/4 "2001-10-12T15:20:21Z")

</div>

It works.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chekmate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@Chekmate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chekmate)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/default-folder-view-to-list/87057/5 "2001-10-12T15:25:00Z")

</div>

Thank you!