Changing Folder Options

When you work with files and folders, Windows displays folder contents in a standard way, known as the default. The default folder view settings are as follows: Tiles view displays files and folders as icons; common task links appear in the left pane; folders open in the same window; and items open when you double-click them. Depending on previous installation or users, your folder view settings might differ. Instead of changing the folder view to your preferred view—Thumbnails, Icons, List, or Details—each time you open a folder, you can change the view permanently to the one you prefer. In addition to the defaults, you can change options such as folder settings to show or hide file extensions for known file types, show or hide hidden files and folders, show the Control Panel in My Computer, and show pop-up descriptions of folders and desktop items.

Change the Way All Folders Work

Click the Start button, and then click My Computer.

Click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.

Click the General tab.

Select a Tasks option to display frequently used tasks or the contents of the folder.

Select a Browse Folders option to display each folder in the same window or its own window.

Select a Click Items As Follows option to single-click or double-click items.

Click OK.