How to modify how files are displayed in Windows Explorer

Updated: 12/05/2021 by Computer Hope

Windows view details

In Microsoft Windows, the Windows Explorer utility tin display files in several ways, depending on user preference. These preferences can include details such equally the creation date and author.

Select a link beneath and follow the steps to change how files are displayed when viewing them in Windows Explorer or add together boosted detail columns.

Change file display in Windows 11

Alter display for a single folder

  1. Press Windows Cardinal+E to open up File Explorer.
  2. Click the View option in the menu bar at the top of the window.
  3. In the drop-down bill of fare, select Extra large icons, Large icons, Medium Icons, Pocket-sized icons, List, Details, Tiles, or Content to change to the view you want to run across. Nosotros recommend the Details option for users not sure what to choose.

File display options in Windows Explorer - Windows 11

Additional information about each type of view is listed below.

  • Details - Our recommended view. Shows details of all files in an easy-to-read format, displaying the size, type, and date modified in columns.
  • Extra large icons and Large icons - Displays larger icon sizes compared to other views.
  • Medium icons and Tiles - Displays medium-sized icons of the files and folders with their names.
  • Small icons and Listing - Displays modest icons of the files and folders with their names. (Windows XP named this Icons.)
  • Content - Displays medium-sized icons with the file name, type, size, and dimensions.

Modify display for a folder and all subfolders

To utilize the chosen view to subfolders of the current binder, follow these steps.

  1. In the File Explorer window, click the See more menu Windows 11 File Explorer More menu icon on the correct side of the menu bar.
  2. Select Options from the drop-down menu.

Windows 11 Explorer More Options

  1. In the Folder Options window, click the View tab.
  2. Click the Apply to Folders button to apply the display settings of the current folder to all subfolders.

Apply current folder display to all subfolders

  1. Click OK to apply the change and close the window.

Change file display in Windows 8 and 10

Alter brandish for a single folder

  1. Press Windows Key+E to open File Explorer.
  2. Click the View tab at the top of the window.
  3. In the Layout section, select Actress large icons, Large icons, Medium Icons, Small icons, List, Details, Tiles, or Content to alter to the view y'all want to see. We recommend the Details option for users non sure what to cull.

File display options in Windows Explorer - Windows 10

Additional data about each type of view is listed below.

  • Details - Our recommended view. Shows details of all files in an easy-to-read format, displaying the size, type, and date modified in columns.
  • Extra big icons and Large icons - Displays larger icon sizes compared to other views.
  • Medium icons and Tiles - Displays medium-sized icons of the files and folders with their names.
  • Pocket-sized icons and Listing - Displays modest icons of the files and folders with their names. (Windows XP named this Icons.)
  • Content - Displays medium-sized icons with the file name, type, size, and dimensions.

Change brandish for a folder and all subfolders

To apply the chosen view to subfolders of the current folder, follow these steps.

  1. While still on the View tab, click Options on the right side of the card bar.
  2. In the Binder Options window, click the View tab.
  3. Click the Apply to Folders button to employ the display settings of the current folder to all subfolders.

Apply current folder display to all subfolders

  1. Click OK to apply the change and shut the window.

Change file display in Windows vii and earlier

Change brandish for a unmarried folder

  1. Open up My Figurer or File Explorer.
  2. Click View in the card at the top of the window. If yous practise not see the View card, press Alt to make it visible.
  3. Select Extra large icons, Large icons, Medium Icons, Pocket-sized icons, List, Details, Tiles, or Content to alter the view you want to see. We recommend the Details option for users not sure what to choose.

Boosted information about each type of view is listed below. Keep in listen each version of Windows is different, and all of the views below are not bachelor in every version. If you do not see one of the below listed nether view, your version of Windows does not support that view.

  • Details - Our recommended view. Shows details of all files in an easy-to-read format, displaying the size, type, and engagement modified in columns.
  • Actress big icons and Big icons - Displays larger icon sizes compared to other views.
  • Medium icons and Tiles - Displays medium-sized icons of the files and folders with their names.
  • Small icons and List - Displays small icons of the files and folders with their names. (Windows XP named this Icons.)
  • Content - Displays medium-sized icons with the file name, blazon, size, and dimensions.

Alter brandish for a folder and all subfolders

To utilise the view change select above to all folders below the current folder, follow these steps.

  1. Click View in the carte du jour at the superlative of the File Explorer window. If you do not run across the View card, press Alt to make it visible.
  2. In the View menu, select Folder Options.
  3. In the Binder Options window, click the View tab.
  4. Click the Apply to Folders button to apply the display settings of the current binder to all subfolders.

Apply current folder display to all subfolders

  1. Click OK to apply the alter and shut the window.

Display additional file detail

Annotation

Viewing additional file item requires that you lot utilise the Details display option.

  1. Open up My Computer or File Explorer, depending on your version of Windows.
  2. In the header row, which contains the column names, right-click an empty area to the right of the last cavalcade of details.

Access add detail column pop-up menu

  1. In the pop-up menu that opens, select the boosted detail column yous want to add. You tin can also select More and choose from many more columns of detail to add.

Add detail column in File Explorer