How to Restore the Tools Folder Options

The Windows folder options allow any folder to be individually customized. Folder options are vast. These include a thumbnail view, which provides a miniature depiction of image files within the folder. Other, more conventional icon views are available that merely list the contents of a folder. A Details view offers extended information on each file, including file size, date of edits and more specific details, such as genre of music or dimension of photos. Additionally, a sidebar is available in each folder to offer additional options. If you wish to simply restore the default Windows folder options, this is accomplished easily.

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Open the folder you wish to restore to default Windows folder options. Double-click the folder, and it will appear in a new window.

2. Step 2

   Confirm this is the folder of interest by quickly scanning its contents. Each folder in Windows may be individually configured for viewing. If you restore the wrong folder, it will not carry over to other folders automatically.

3. Step 3

   Open the Tools menu in the folder window. This menu provides several features for controlling the contents and connectivity of items within this folder.

4. Step 4

   Choose the "Folder Options" command in the Tools menu. This will launch a new window with additional features for controlling the folder.

5. Step 5

   Click the "Restore Defaults" button in the lower right of this window. This will alter the configuration of the folder's viewing settings and change them back to the original format provided by the Windows operating system upon installation. Restoring a folder back to its default is convenient for instances when extensive customization has rendered the folder confusing or cluttered in its display of files. Returning a folder to its defaults will not change the contents of the folder but merely provide a simpler option for viewing its files.

6. Step 6

   Click the "View" tab and then the button "Apply to All Folders" to force all folders on the computer to return to the same defaults you have just applied to the current folder. Other folders will appear differently once they are opened.

7. Step 7

   Press the "OK" button to exit out of the "Folder Options" dialog box. You may also close the folder window if desired.