Unable to Customize View in Windows Explorer (Windows 11)

In Windows 10, I customized my primary folders where I kept my photos in Windows Explorer. I have not been able to do that in Windows 11.

Below are the steps that I’ve taken after I’ve set up the folder the way I want it. That is, after I’ve clicked the boxes to show columns in Windows Explorer with date taken, date modified, camera lens, ISO, etc.

• Right click on the main folder and then select Properties.
• Select the customize tab.
• Select optimize for: Pictures.
• Then check also apply to sub-folders.
• Then click OK.

It seems to be the same process as in Window 10, but like I said, I cannot get it to work in Windows 11. Hopefully someone can show me what I am doing wrong or a step I may be missing.

Thanks,
David

Hi, David.
I think the bottom line is that File Explorer in Windows 11 is a pain in the butt, and you’re certainly not alone.

Les might be able to help you with WinSetView

David STL said:

In Windows 10, I customized my primary folders where I kept my photos in Windows Explorer. I have not been able to do that in Windows 11.

Below are the steps that I’ve taken after I’ve set up the folder the way I want it. That is, after I’ve clicked the boxes to show columns in Windows Explorer with date taken, date modified, camera lens, ISO, etc.

• Right click on the main folder and then select Properties.
• Select the customize tab.
• Select optimize for: Pictures.
• Then check also apply to sub-folders.
• Then click OK.

It seems to be the same process as in Window 10, but like I said, I cannot get it to work in Windows 11. Hopefully someone can show me what I am doing wrong or a step I may be missing.

Click to expand...

If those folders are located on a network volume or USB drive (that does not mount as "local disk") then what you're encountering is a bug in the Windows 11 Explorer. If the folders are located on an NTFS volume that mounts as type local disk, such as Drive C, then any folders that contain photos should automatically be set as type Pictures, so I'm guessing that's not the case here. Or you could have a folder that contains more non-photo files and therefore gets set as type "General". In that case, the bug is that you can't force all the folders to any type you like, such as Photos.

With Windows 10, you could select your network or USB folder and use Customize > Pictures > Also apply this template to all subfolders and it would stick. That also worked in the early release of Windows 11 back in 2021. However, Microsoft broke that feature with KB5008353 in January 2022. It has remained broken with no official acknowledgement of the bug.

The workaround is to switch back to the Windows 10 Explorer on Windows 11. One easy option to do that is to use my free SwitchExplorer tool or see this tutorial. It's also an option in WinSetView, which will also let you set your folder view defaults globally.

antspants said:

Hi, David.
I think the bottom line is that File Explorer in Windows 11 is a pain in the butt, and you’re certainly not alone.

Les might be able to help you with WinSetView

WinSetView (Tool to Globally Set Explorer Folder Views)

WinSetView is a tool that will let you easily set File Explorer default folder views (including turning off grouping everywhere if so desired). It works by setting registry values that File Explorer already supports. It does not modify Explorer or add any tasks or services. Please follow the...

www.elevenforum.com

GitHub - LesFerch/WinSetView: Globally Set Explorer Folder Views

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views. Contribute to LesFerch/WinSetView development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Click to expand...

i have just used that very nice little program, thank you.
best of luck, Steve ..

Thank you every one for your support. I was thinking this was going to be an easy fix because I was missing something that I used to do but had forgotten. It never occurred to me that it my be a Systems Error versus a User Error. I will be looking into the various tools suggested to see which one might be best for me.
antspants: Yes, I am finding Windows 11 to be a pain in the butt; however, you guys are helping me to come to terms (at lest a little bit) with it.