How to reset folder view settings on Windows 10 File Explorer

By Mauro Huculak
last updated

You can reset to the File Explorer default view for a particular folder, and in this guide, we'll show how to it.

On Windows 10, File Explorer includes five different templates to customize the view of folders, including "General items" (default for every new folder), "Documents," "Pictures," "Music," and "Videos." Each template provides a unique layout with icons as well as specific sorting and grouping depending on the folder's content type.

For instance, the "Pictures" template view offer uses the layout with large icons, while the "Music" view applies the details layout that offers a list view sorting with the track number, title, artist, and additional information.

Although using any of the available templates for a particular folder, you can further customize the experience using the "View" tab. If you made a lot of changes in File Explorer, you can always reset the view to its original settings for one or all the folders using the same template with the "Folders options" settings.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the easy steps to reset (or change) the folder view settings in File Explorer.

How to reset view settings for one folder in File Explorer

To restore the original settings for a particular folder in File Explorer, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click on the View tab.
  3. Click on the Options button.

  1. Click on the View tab.
  2. Click the Reset Folders button.

  1. Click the Yes button.
  2. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the folder will reset to the default template settings.

Changing folder view template

If you're using the wrong folder view template, use these steps to switch templates:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Browse to the location of the folder that you want to customize.
  3. Right-click the folder, and select the Properties option.
  4. Click the Customize tab.
  5. Use the Optimize this folder for drop-down menu and select the correct folder view template. Options include:
    • General items.
    • Documents.
    • Pictures.
    • Music.
    • Videos.

  1. (Optional) Check the Also apply this template to all subfolders option.
  2. Click the Apply button.
  3. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the view will be optimized for the content type that you specified.

How to reset view settings for all folders in File Explorer

To restore the default folder view settings for every folder using the same view template, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click on the View tab.
  3. Click on the Options button.

  1. Click on the View tab.
  2. Click the Reset Folders button.

  1. Click the Yes button.
  2. Click the Apply to Folders button.

  1. Click the Yes button.
  2. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, all the folders using the same view template (for example, Documents view template) will reset to its default values.

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Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.