PlayInfoBox

Home /Utilities /How to Change the View Layout in File Explorer

How to Change the View Layout in File Explorer

Tap through each step to see exactly how to change the view layout in File Explorer.

  1. Open the "View" menu

    Click "View" at the top of File Explorer.

  2. Choose a layout

    Pick from Large icons, Details, List, Tiles, and other available layouts.

  3. Set sorting and grouping

    Sort or group files by name, date, size, or type to keep them organized.

  4. Adjust the detail columns

    In Details view, add or remove columns such as date modified or size to show exactly what you need.

  5. Apply the same view to all folders

    Under "Folder Options β†’ View," choose "Apply to Folders" to make your current view settings the default everywhere.

Switch views to match what you're browsing

A folder full of photos is easier to browse as Large icons, while a folder full of documents works better in Details view β€” matching the layout to the content makes finding and managing files much faster.

Also worth knowing: searching for files

Changing the view helps you browse visually, but when you already know roughly what you're looking for, File Explorer's built-in search and filters can find it faster than scrolling through folders.

Frequently Asked Questions

My view settings keep resetting on their own. Why?

Windows updates or occasional glitches can reset view settings. Using "Apply to Folders" to lock in your preferred layout helps it stick more reliably.

Why don't I see thumbnail previews for my photos?

Switch to "Large icons" or a view with previews enabled β€” thumbnail-based views show a small preview of each file's contents instead of a generic icon.