Setting the folder type (aka folder optimization) does not work reliably in Windows 11.
I've tested the Change Template of a Drive or Folder on four different Windows 11 machines so far and it's broken on all of them, especially when using removable media. The issue is that the template remains stuck at General items for some, most, or all subfolders. I've submitted a report via the Feedback Hub to join the others already there. The oldest report of this issue dates back 10 months and Microsoft tagged a couple of the similar reports with "Looking into it", but I'm not convinced anything is being done.
To see the similar reports, search the Feedback Hub with these keywords: folder type optimize
Please try it yourself and let me know your results. I've found that setting the folder type works for the root of a drive, but cannot be set reliably for a folder tree (even just a couple of folders deep). Even if you painstakingly set each individual folder, many will revert back to General items. Below is the test procedure I followed, but you should be able to replicate the issue with any folder tree:
Step 1: Format a flash drive with any file system.
Step 2: Create a folder structure at least two levels deep, such as:
Note: the file types are irrelevant, We are NOT testing folder type discovery. We're testing the ability to MANUALLY set the folder type.
Step 3: Right-click the top-level folder and select Properties, Customize, and, from the Optimize this folder for menu, select Music (or Pictures), click the check box Also apply this template to all subfolders and then click OK.
Step 4: Open all the subfolders and you should see that some or all are stuck at General items.
If you can confirm the bug, please up vote one or more of the existing reports or even submit your own similar report. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, but I get the impression that not enough squeaking has happened on this issue (yet).
I've tested the Change Template of a Drive or Folder on four different Windows 11 machines so far and it's broken on all of them, especially when using removable media. The issue is that the template remains stuck at General items for some, most, or all subfolders. I've submitted a report via the Feedback Hub to join the others already there. The oldest report of this issue dates back 10 months and Microsoft tagged a couple of the similar reports with "Looking into it", but I'm not convinced anything is being done.
To see the similar reports, search the Feedback Hub with these keywords: folder type optimize
Please try it yourself and let me know your results. I've found that setting the folder type works for the root of a drive, but cannot be set reliably for a folder tree (even just a couple of folders deep). Even if you painstakingly set each individual folder, many will revert back to General items. Below is the test procedure I followed, but you should be able to replicate the issue with any folder tree:
Step 1: Format a flash drive with any file system.
Step 2: Create a folder structure at least two levels deep, such as:
Code:
Files\
F1\
File1.txt
File2.txt
F2\
File1.txt
File2.txt
F3\
File1.txt
File2.txt
Note: the file types are irrelevant, We are NOT testing folder type discovery. We're testing the ability to MANUALLY set the folder type.
Step 3: Right-click the top-level folder and select Properties, Customize, and, from the Optimize this folder for menu, select Music (or Pictures), click the check box Also apply this template to all subfolders and then click OK.
Step 4: Open all the subfolders and you should see that some or all are stuck at General items.
If you can confirm the bug, please up vote one or more of the existing reports or even submit your own similar report. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, but I get the impression that not enough squeaking has happened on this issue (yet).
My Computer
System One
-
- OS
- Windows 10/11
- Computer type
- Laptop
- Manufacturer/Model
- Acer