Which file display settings do you use in Windows? (Mac and Linux users are eligible to play, too )
I always use List Details for all folders. I like to see the date/time stamp and the file size along with the filename itself. I also like to see the files’ extensions displayed. While I can identify most files by their icons the filename looks incomplete if I don’t also see its extension. Having the files in a list makes it easier to sort them in different ways if necessary (e.g. by date/time, size, etc., though by default I list them by filename) and I can easily select a block to cut/copy/delete at once. The full-size icons setup is difficult for selecting a group of files at once. Plus, when clicking on full-size icons I tend to end up doing something that creates copies of all the files I selected in the same folder (grrrr :mad: ). For folders I like the full path to be displayed in the title bar. Again, it looks incomplete seeing just that folder’s name displayed.
I use list as my default setting. The details view bothers me immensely when I’m trying to search for something because it causes me to scroll to find the desired file/directory.
If I need more info, I just switch to details view.
In Windows, I use the list view, arranged by type, because the details view takes up too much space with fairly worthless info (nothing the status bar or properties sheet couldn’t tell me). I have all directories open with the “Explore” command by default so the directory tree is always docked to the left, and that silly “web views” thing is off. I have a minimal toolbar icon set, with just back, forward, up, refresh, search, and the folder view with the address bar on the same line. I have the complete path in the address bar, but the “friendly” name in the title bar because it makes multiple folders much easier to keep track of on the taskbar. I use Lucida Sans Typewriter for the icon font because it’s much easier to read than MS Sans Serif or Tahoma, especially when Is or ls are involved. System files and extensions are shown.