is there a way to get File Explorer to retain memory of previously used meta data?

bobhalverson · Dec 21, 2025

I used Windows 10 File Explorer to enter genres for my 17,000 mp3 files (meta-data).
Windows 10 remembered previously used genres, from which I could select.
This was very convenient - it reduced my data entry and ensured consistency.
Windows 11 fails to do this. AI said to make sure the files are indexed, which they are.
Is there a way to restore this capability?
One of the Windhawk options?

25H2 ---- Version 10.0.26200 Build 26200

NormanF · Dec 21, 2025

With Precision File Search, you can use LLM to index your directory path. It takes a long time. When done, you can look up your files using natural language, not just keywords.

That's the benefit of performing a semantic search.

bobhalverson · Dec 21, 2025

Not understanding.
I want to see what is on the attachment when I go to File Explorer > Properties > Details
Windows 10 did that -- would tell me what my previously established options were.
Windows 11 won't do that -- I am making errors by incorrectly entering non-consistent data.

bobhalverson · Dec 21, 2025

Here is what the File Explorer view of my mp3's looks like.
By filling in the meta-data, I can quickly sort by song title, year, composer, genre, rating, etc.
For proper sorts, it is critical that the meta-data is consistent...

dacrone · Dec 21, 2025

are you stating that you CAN edit them on windows 11 but it doesn't save the changes, or that you CANNOT edit them on windows 11?

bobhalverson · Dec 21, 2025

I can edit them and the edit saves -- my issue is that I want to be consistent in *how* they're edited.
In Windows 10, when I started to enter data, I would get a drop-down menu of previous similar data.
I could pick the one I wanted -- not just randomly enter something and hope I did it like the others.
Windows 11 won't do that -- I'm flying blind.
So my question is, is there a way to get that drop-down list in Windows 11?
(my 1st attachment shows the list to which I'm referring)

bobhalverson · Dec 21, 2025

In case you're wondering why I'm doing this, I use it to create playlists.
Having a party -- I ask what kind of music they'd like to hear.

* R&B Hits from the 70's
* Pop Rock from 1966 -- but skip the overplayed Top 10 stuff
* Classic Country
* Folk Rock from the late 60's & early 70's

Using File Explorer, I can sort by my various fields and quickly create on-demand playlists.

LesFerch · Dec 21, 2025

If you're talking about the drop-down auto-suggest list (when you type the first letter in a field such as Tags) Microsoft broke that a while back with KB5044285. As usual, no explanation and no replies to the Feedback Hub reports. See:

Create a Tag List in Windows11 - Microsoft Q&A

In Windows 10 photo application, when I tagged a picture, Windows retained that tag name. When another picture had that same image, typing in the first few letters would create a dropdown box to select and complete the name tag. Apparently in Windows 11…

learn.microsoft.com

bobhalverson · Dec 21, 2025

There are many things that Microsoft has broken that have been restored with Explorer Patcher or Windhawk.
I guess my question is -- has a work-around been developed?
I use Windows for work, and this is really hampering my ability to be effective in my job.

LesFerch · Dec 21, 2025

I am not aware of any patch that restores the auto-suggest functionality.

The only workaround I can suggest is to use one of the many great MP3 tag editors that are available for Windows. I use Tage&Rename (bought a lifetime license ages ago) but MP3Tag is probably the best known tagger.

Here's an alphabetical list (that's probably not complete):

AudioRanger
AutomaTag
Kid3
MediaMonkey
Metatogger
MP3Tag
Music Tag
MusicBrainz Picard
SongKong
Tag&Rename
TagScanner

is there a way to get File Explorer to retain memory of previously used meta data?

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