How to make Windows Explorer always use detail view?

Solution 1:

Found the fix here:

Copy the text between the lines below into notepad & save as a .reg file. Watch out for line wrap -- [HKEY_CURRENT_USER...\Shell] is all one line.

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Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell]
"FolderType"="NotSpecified" 

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Merging the .reg file will set the 'All Items' template for any folders that don't currently have a view saved with a different template. You can clear all saved views by deleting the

"HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags"

key BEFORE merging the .reg file. If any folders open with a different template after clearing the 'Bags' key & merging the .reg file, they most likely have a template specified via their desktop.ini file.

-- Good Luck,

Keith Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

Solution 2:

Set the folder you're in to detail view, go to Tools > Folder Options, click the View tab, and click Apply to All Folders

Solution 3:

Apparently Windows (Vista, as well as XP) likes to reset the view settings of folders on its own, so you have to install 3rd party software to actually get it to remember the view settings for each folder.

Supposedly XdN Tweaker's "Make Views Stick" function in the "Files & Folders III" dialog (truly horrendous interface design) will make your folder view settings actually stick. So then you just need set one folder to "Details" view, check "Enable Each Folder's View Settings", and then "Apply to All Folders."