Why can't I see details?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MaryL
  • Start date Start date
M

MaryL

I use "Computer" to browse folders, but I have encountered two problems: (1)
I usually want to see details, including size and date modified. That is
not a problem in most of the folders. But I have been completely unable to
see that information in a few folders. Neither "List" nor "Details"
provides the needed information. In those folders, either of those settings
simply shows the name. Nothing else shows up. This is consistent with
specific folders (such as the folder where I store Word documents). (2)
Folders sometimes seem to "lose" the settings and will open with Thumbnails
instead of the previous setting. This occurs in various folders, and it is
not consistent -- that is, it sometimes happens and sometimes does not.

Can anyone help? These setting are not essential, but it is annoying. I am
using Vista Home Premium on a Dell Inspiron 530 desktop computer.

Thanks,
MaryL
 
For (1) you can add additional headings to a folder, by right-clicking one
of the existing headings and choosing a particular column you want to add.

(2) is a well-known Vista issue for which I don't think there is currently a
full, permanent cure,although a number of semi-fixes have been proposed over
the course of Vista's existence.
 
- Right-click on the problematic folder
- Select, "Properties"
- Click on the "Customize" tab
- Under, "What kind of folder do you want?/Use this folder type as a
template", expand the menu and choose, "All Items"
- "OK" your way out.
- DONE

You can then open the folder and right-click on any of the column headers,
e.g., "Name" and choose which column(s) you want displayed. If the one(s)
you are wanting to use aren't in the immediate menu, click on "More..."
where all items that can be chosen are given, along with the ability to
arrange them.

As far as folders keeping their settings, this has always been a problem
with Windows. There are various work-arounds which require a Registry
modification. I can't find the destructions at the moment but a search on
Google should turn up several hits and/or someone else here could provide
more info for you.
 
MaryL said:
I use "Computer" to browse folders, but I have encountered two problems:
(1) I usually want to see details, including size and date modified. That
is not a problem in most of the folders. But I have been completely unable
to see that information in a few folders. Neither "List" nor "Details"
provides the needed information. In those folders, either of those
settings simply shows the name. Nothing else shows up. This is consistent
with specific folders (such as the folder where I store Word documents).
(2) Folders sometimes seem to "lose" the settings and will open with
Thumbnails instead of the previous setting. This occurs in various
folders, and it is not consistent -- that is, it sometimes happens and
sometimes does not.

Can anyone help? These setting are not essential, but it is annoying. I
am using Vista Home Premium on a Dell Inspiron 530 desktop computer.

Thanks,
MaryL
Click to expand...

Thanks, everyone. You solved the most important problem (#1) for me.

Does anyone know why this would only occur in certain folders, while others
automatically have the correct information when I select "Details"?

MaryL
 
I use "Computer" to browse folders, but I have encountered two problems: (1)
I usually want to see details, including size and date modified. That is
not a problem in most of the folders. But I have been completely unable to
see that information in a few folders. Neither "List" nor "Details"
provides the needed information. In those folders, either of those settings
simply shows the name. Nothing else shows up. This is consistent with
specific folders (such as the folder where I store Word documents). (2)
Folders sometimes seem to "lose" the settings and will open with Thumbnails
instead of the previous setting. This occurs in various folders, and it is
not consistent -- that is, it sometimes happens and sometimes does not.

Can anyone help? These setting are not essential, but it is annoying. I am
using Vista Home Premium on a Dell Inspiron 530 desktop computer.

Thanks,
MaryL
Click to expand...

Try using Xplorer2 Lite , free program to d/l , which is much better
than either *computer* or windows explorer . ( I use the paid for
version - haven`t used the others in years ) .
 
barman58 said:
Hi,

you should be able to right click on the "Name" column header and
select the colums that vista displays ... the More option will provide
a
lot of extras if required
you can also click on organise and select layout options to switch on
the details pane at the bottom of the window which shows various
information


as for the tendency to forget settings have a look at these tutorials
..

'Folder View settings'
(http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/7...settings.html?filter[11]=File Folder Settings)


'Folder Type Templates'
(http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/7...emplates.html?filter[11]=File Folder Settings)
Click to expand...

When using the VistaX64 tutorial I found 'documents' to be a better
default type than 'Not specified' (all items) when correcting confused
folders. Also it pays never to use the 'User's Files' desktop shortcut
thereafter; having avoided that since correcting my folder headings they
have remained stable.

Tom
 
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