# Windows question about displaying files in a folder

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-question-about-displaying-files-in-a-folder/220328>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 21, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-question-about-displaying-files-in-a-folder/220328 "2003-12-21T17:14:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ray\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ray\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ray_Walker)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-question-about-displaying-files-in-a-folder/220328/1 "2003-12-21T17:14:07Z")

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Is there a way I can change the settings in Windows XP so that every folder displays files in “details” mode, rather than “tiles”?

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**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-question-about-displaying-files-in-a-folder/220328/2 "2003-12-21T17:28:15Z")

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My Computer \> Tools \> Folder Options \> View \> Apply To All Folders

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**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-question-about-displaying-files-in-a-folder/220328/3 "2003-12-21T17:38:41Z")

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Problem is that, at least for me (WinXP Pro on my work computer), it doesn’t “stick.” I’ve done that till my fingers cramp, and the next time I open the same folder Explorer picks a display style seemingly at random.

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**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-question-about-displaying-files-in-a-folder/220328/4 "2003-12-21T18:04:32Z")

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1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Enable View/Details
3. Also enable View/Status Bar if you like
4. **After** doing the above, go to Tools/Folder Options
5. Go to View
6. Scroll down to “Remember each folder’s view settings”. Enable it.
7. Now click on “Apply to all folders”