Windows XP: Force Details Mode for Open/Save Dialogs

Improving Windows Open/Save Dialog Behavior with OpenWide

The standard Open/Save dialog boxes found throughout Windows applications, due to their ubiquity, can become surprisingly irritating over time. A particularly common frustration is the inability to retain a preferred view mode.

For instance, users frequently find themselves repeatedly switching back to details mode. A solution to this issue is a lightweight application called OpenWide.

How OpenWide Functions

OpenWide operates by residing in the system tray and modifying the behavior of these standard dialogs. After installation, launching the application introduces a new icon to the system tray.

This icon’s visibility can be disabled through the application’s Preferences tab within the settings panel. The utility allows customization of the dialog’s screen position and size, a feature many users will appreciate.

It’s recommended to adjust the “Initial keyboard input Focus on” dropdown. Changing it from the default “directory” to “File name” enables quicker file name entry.

The second dropdown menu provides control over the dialog’s default display mode. Users can configure it to consistently launch in thumbnails mode, or any other preferred view.

Selecting the “Test Current Settings” button confirms the chosen details mode is active.

Important Considerations

It’s important to note that OpenWide is specifically designed for Windows XP. It is not compatible with Windows Vista or later operating systems.

Furthermore, the application only affects programs utilizing the common Windows dialogs. Applications that implement custom dialog boxes will not be influenced by OpenWide.

OpenWide can be downloaded from lingo.atspace.com.