Fix Windows Vista Explorer Folder Type Detection

Windows Vista Explorer Folder View Issues

A frequent source of frustration for many Vista users centers around inconsistencies within Windows Explorer. Specifically, the preferred folder view, such as Details mode, is often unexpectedly altered by the system.

Vista attempts to automatically determine the appropriate folder type, but this process frequently results in misidentification. Consequently, the desired column arrangement is lost.

Manually Resetting Folder Types

This issue typically arises when Vista incorrectly identifies a folder’s content. For example, the presence of a single music file might lead Vista to categorize the folder as a music folder, displaying only music-related columns.

To rectify this manually, right-click within the affected folder and select "Customize This Folder..."

Within the customization window, change the "Folder type" dropdown menu to "All Items" instead of the currently selected option.

You may need to re-establish the Details view or re-select your preferred columns after this adjustment. However, the settings should then be retained.

Manual Registry Hack to Reset Folder Views

Windows Vista stores all folder display configurations within a specific registry location. These settings can sometimes become corrupted, leading to the aforementioned issues.

To reset folder views, the registry keys containing the view information can be deleted.

Access the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) via the Start menu search or Run dialog, and navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags

Beneath the "Bags" key, you will find numerous keys identified by numeric names. You can attempt to locate the key corresponding to the problematic folder and delete it. Alternatively, all settings can be cleared for a fresh start.

Important: Before making any changes, consider backing up the "Bags" key by right-clicking and selecting "Export." This allows for easy restoration if any issues arise.

Using ExplorerView to Turn Off Auto-Detection

A freeware utility called ExplorerView is designed to disable the automatic detection of folder types. Initial testing suggests it functions as intended, though further user feedback is encouraged.

Download, install, and launch the ExplorerView application. Simply check the box labeled "Disallow Explorer to Auto-Detect Folder Contents" to activate the feature.

With this setting enabled, the folder view should remain consistent.

ExplorerView can be downloaded from sdsoftware.org (discontinued).