WinSetView (Tool to Globally Set Explorer Folder Views)

WinSetView 3.0.1
Bug Fix: Detect current settings now detects if Windows 10 classic search is enabled or disabled.

Your assistance is requested...

I have translated the internal VBScript code in WinSetView to JScript. I'm looking for beta testers before fully releasing this major change. I've been using the JScript version myself exclusively on my main computer, and all test VMs, for the past couple of weeks and have had no issues, so I'm very confident it's stable and correctly applies all changes, but the more testing before release, the better.

If you would like to help out, please download the beta test version and copy the files into you current WinSetView folder, letting it replace everything. It will not overwrite your settings. The main program is still WinSetView.exe (the JScript code is internal to that Exe). You will find the beta test version on the Releases page:

Background:

WinSetView is an HTML application that uses the MSHTML browser engine that's built into Windows. It started out as an HTA and was later converted into a VbsEdit HTML application, which is essentially an Exe browser object shell around the HTML/CSS/VBScript code. That eliminates the need for MSHTA.exe and provides some additional improvements over HTAs. It's a proper Exe compiled each time by Visual Studio. It's not a self extractor.

The part of WinSetView that applies the registry changes is a PowerShell script and that remains unchanged. The JScript code is only used for the interface.

If I were to write the tool today, I would write it in C# (and I may just do that some day). In the meantime, it's fine as is. However, starting in 2027, Microsoft plans to no longer include VBScript pre-installed in Windows. It will still be available as a Feature on Demand (FOD) but users will be reluctant to add it back if it's not installed to begin with.

Additionally, starting with Windows 11 24H2, VBScript is still installed, but it's now an FOD and can be uninstalled with a single click. Some users are starting to do that and, hence, the push to replace VBScript with JScript now.

Note: The term JScript refers to the older flavor of JavaScript that is included with Windows and works with the MSHTML rendering engine used by IE and HTML applications.

WinSetView 3.0.2​

Bug Fix: Fixed error that caused file dialog views to not always be set for specific folder types.

Bug Fix: General items view for connected devices (such as phones) now also applies to dialog views.

Thanks for the heads up on the update!

WinSetView 3.0.3​

Bug Fix: Fixed error that occurs only when PowerShell is in constrained mode.

Wolfzz said:

WinSetView 3.0.3​

Bug Fix: Fixed error that occurs only when PowerShell is in constrained mode.

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

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again, thank you!

Zoloft said:

again, thank you!

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And my apologies for another release so soon. Obscure bugs, Ugh. This should be the last release in the 3.0.x series (which uses VBScript code internally).

The next release uses JScript code internally and is currently available as a beta. It also adds a new feature that allows you to have MTP devices, such as phones, display with the same Details column settings as your General Items view (restricted to columns allowed by the MTP device). In the current release, only the view mode (Details, List, Icons, etc.) is replicated from General Items to phones.

WinSetView 3.1.2​

3.01.2​

Bug Fix: Fixed label click for “Remove Home in Windows 11” and “Remove Gallery in Windows 11”

3.01.1​

Feature added: General items column settings can now be applied to MTP devices such as phones.

Feature added: “Remove Home in Windows 11” and “Remove Gallery in Windows 11” options added.

Feature added: “Auto arrange” and “Align to grid” defaults added for “Windows XP/Vista view mode”.

Feature added: Added “Detect current settings” button to Folder View Options page.

Enhancement: Checkbox labels in the main and options pages are now clickable.

Enhancement: Now runs on MSHTML 8 through 11. This allows it to run on a basic Windows 7 SP1 build without having to install IE 11.

Change: VBScript code replaced with JScript code.

Change: Removed check for new version on startup. This could cause startup delays depending on network settings. There is now a button to check for a new version.

Change: Renamed option “Legacy row and icon spacing” to “Windows XP/Vista view mode”

Change: “Disable folder thumbnails” moved from “Explorer Options” to “Folder View Options”

WinSetView 3.1.3
Enhancement: Improved/added warning and error messages

Wolfzz said:

WinSetView 3.1.3
Enhancement: Improved/added warning and error messages

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views

lesferch.github.io

Click to expand...

again, and as always, thank you!

WinSetView v3.1.4
Enhancement: Added “ResetWindowMetrics.cmd” script.
Enhancement: New human-translated Italian language files (thanks to GitHub user topoldo).
Enhancement: Many other language files improved via contextual AI translation.
Bug Fix: Fixed error that occurred when using “Detect current settings” in “Explorer Options” when a default starting folder for Explorer has never been set.

Wolfzz said:

WinSetView v3.1.4
Enhancement: Added “ResetWindowMetrics.cmd” script.
Enhancement: New human-translated Italian language files (thanks to GitHub user topoldo).
Enhancement: Many other language files improved via contextual AI translation.
Bug Fix: Fixed error that occurred when using “Detect current settings” in “Explorer Options” when a default starting folder for Explorer has never been set.

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views

lesferch.github.io

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appreciated!

Lesferch, this is one fab tool. As far as I can tell, everything is working for me. I've got the old context-menu back and search looks exactly the way I want across all folder types! It's incredible. I thought the sole exception was auto-arrange, but then I realized that I hadn't restarted the system and I'd better do that before reaching a hasty conclusion. And then upon reboot, Auto-arranging was no longer happening. Excellent job and a big thank you!

schmibble said:

I thought the sole exception was auto-arrange, but then I realized that I hadn't restarted the system and I'd better do that before reaching a hasty conclusion. And then upon reboot, Auto-arranging was no longer happening. Excellent job and a big thank you!

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The XP/Vista view mode (i.e disable auto-arrange) allows freely arranging icons or details rows in folders, but your arrangement will only stick (after closing the folder) with older Windows versions (details in manual). So, for Windows 11, it's only useful for temporary arrangements while in a folder.

That's totally OK. I count on that and name my files accordingly in alphanumeric order, using leading zeroes if order is really an issue. The important thing is that while I'm working in a folder, the files don't jump around willy-nilly every time I rename one and then click on another.

WinSetView 3.1.5​

Enhancement: German translation correction (“Licht” to “Hell”). Thanks to Jannik Fah.

Bug Fix: Icaros extensions now properly detected when installed 64 bit only.

Defender AV flags WinSetView.zip as "possible Hosts file hijack".

I always manually scan files that I download, immediately upon download. I think that this is the first that Defender ever has flagged.

anyname said:

Defender AV flags WinSetView.zip as "possible Hosts file hijack".

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I cannot replicate that result. I get "No current threats". Tested with "Security intelligence version" 1.433.130.0.

LesFerch said:

Tested with "Security intelligence

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What does your Defender show?