How to Reset the Default Folder View Settings in Windows 10

This guide explains how to reset the Default Folder View Settings in Windows 10, with clear steps, practical tips, and important checks before you begin.

This guide will show you how to reset folder view settings, preview width and details, and navigation width back to default preferences in Windows 10.

How to reset the view settings of all folders using a BAT file

The downloadable. bat file in this option contains commands that will reset all folders' view settings to default.

Step 1. Download the. bat Reset_Folder_View_Settings_of_All_Folders_to_Default. bat file.

@echo off :: To reset folder view settings of all folders Reg Delete "HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsShellBagMRU" /F Reg Delete "HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsShellBags" /F Reg Delete "HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsShellNoRoamBags" /F Reg Delete "HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsShellNoRoamBagMRU" /F Reg Delete "HKCUSOFTWAREClassesLocal SettingsSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsShellBagMRU" /F Reg Delete "HKCUSOFTWAREClassesLocal SettingsSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsShellBags" /F Reg Delete "HKCUSOFTWAREClassesWow6432NodeLocal SettingsSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsShellBags" /F Reg Delete "HKCUSOFTWAREClassesWow6432NodeLocal SettingsSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsShellBagMRU" /F :: To reset "Apply to Folders" views to default REG Delete "HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerStreamsDefaults" /F :: To reset size of details, navigation, preview panes to default Reg Delete "HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerModulesGlobalSettingsSizer" /F :: To kill and restart explorer taskkill /f /im explorer.exe start explorer.exe

Step 2. Save the. bat file to the desktop.

Step 3. Unblock the. bat file.

Step 4. Double click on the. bat file to run it.

Step 5. Now, you should notice your screen blinking when Explorer is restarted to apply registry changes.

How to reset only the view settings of a directory with the same template type as the current directory

Step 1. Open the folder (eg Pictures in This PC ) in File Explorer ( Win + E ) with template (ex: template Pictures ) that you want to reset for all optimized folders with the same template there.

Step 2. Click the View tab and click the Options button in the ribbon to open Folder Options from within this folder.

Step 3. Click the View tab in Folder Options and click the Reset Folders button .

Step 4. Click Yes to confirm.

Step 5. Click OK in Folder Option.

Step 6. View setting of current directory and all optimized folders with same template type are now reset to default.

Good luck.