Welcome to our series of Microsoft Windows 10 tutorials that help you understand the features of this new operating system by Microsoft.
This tutorial will show you how to change the template of Drive, Folder or Library in Windows 10.
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Some may notice that Windows File Explorer presents your files depending on what type it is. Photos are in thumbnails. Audio files may be in detailed view with information about the singer, album, etc. Windows automatically does its best to identify what kind of view to use in a folder.
Folder templates will give you a bit more control over how files are displayed. But first, let’s understand what templates are.
What are templates?
Window’s Automatic Folder Type Discovery automatically identifies the types of files in the folder whenever you open one. It would typically follow the view type of the last file added.
Folder templates allow you to control how Windows File Explorer behaves. The templates apply their view settings regardless of the type of the last file added. This optimizes the display time as it skips the Automatic Folder Type Discovery.
There are five types of templates for the most common files:
- General – Template for folders with mixed types of files.
- Documents – Template for folders with word files, text files, etc.
- Picture – Template for folders with image files (.jpg, .gif, etc.).
- Music – Template for folders with audio files (.wav, .mp3, etc.).
- Videos – Template for folders with video files (.wmv, mp4, etc.).
Why customize a folder’s template?
You may have experienced unresponsive Windows File Explorer. The green loading bar has been annoying users since Windows Vista. Folders with hundreds and thousands of files are the usual victims.
An example of which is the Downloads folder with a lot of files. When the Automatic Folder Type Discovery assigns the picture template to the folder, it will try to retrieve thumbnails of the files regardless of the view type. This process, from discovery to display, takes time.
Optimizing a folder for a particular file type avoids the long wait. It does not affect opening a file. Templates also do not change how Windows retrieve files from the hard drive. However, it helps the operating system present the files more efficiently.
The File Explorer already knows what file information to gather and display when a folder is optimized for a certain template. It also provides consistency over different folders. Windows will automatically highlight the built-in functions in the folder options.
How to Change the Template of Drive or Folder in Windows 10:
- Open File Explorer.
- Right click on the drive or folder that you want to change the template for and click on Properties.
- Alternatively, open the drive or folder that you want to change the template for and right click on an empty area. Now select Customize this folder option.
- In the properties window, select Customize tab.
- From the drop down menu under Optimize this folder for, select the template you want to apply.
- If you want the same template to be applied to all the subfolders, click the checkbox next to Also apply this template to all subfolders.
How to Change the Template of a Library in Windows 10:
- Open File Explorer.
- Select or open a library that you want to change the template for.
- Click on the Manage tab in the ribbon.
- From the drop down menu under Optimize library for, select the template you want to apply.
Customize folder view using a template
Unfortunately, Microsoft does not allow you to create your template. At least, for now. However, you can customize the view of one of the templates. You can then apply it to other folders.
First, open a folder you want to customize. Adjust the view according to your preferences. You can display the files as large icons, add a column in the details view, etc.
Then, optimize this folder using a template. Follow one of the steps above. After that, go to the View tab on the File Explorer options above. Click Options.
On the Folder Options window, go to View tab. Under Folders views, click Apply to Folders.
Now, you can use the template you’ve customized on other folders. It will have the same view as this folder.
Allan Jay is a web developer who loves to read and watch tech reviews, especially cutting-edge technologies. He likes exploring and taking photos of the places he visited.
Hey, guys, thank you for the article!.. However, it doesn’t mean anything – when it reads like a Micro$oft manual: click here, in order to turn on /off.
We’ve got eyes and a mouse to click around, it’s all good (hehe). The information which is RLY needed is what Service is associated with this, how can it be turned off /Disabled as not to take up RAM /resources.
WHAT does it *really* do to “optimize”, how?.. Because we know how the (NTFS) filesystem works and HDD partitions are initialized in different size sectors: does this, somehow, use the sectors differently, or what… Is it down to the reading /buffering, only, instead?!
It seems like one of those “features” which are COMPLETELY useless and can (sometimes!) do more harm than good. Wish Micro$oft would just STOP with their gimmicks /antics (the AGENDA). Although, it’s a good reminder to look for a way to kill this – whatever it is; thanks again!! :))
What I want to do is change the template that Windows (10) uses for: general; documents; music; pictures; video. What the Microsoft people think is useful, I DO NOT consider useful, and want a music folder (for instance) to display the fields that are important to me. The year of the song, running time (length) and any comments in an MP3 file are meaningful, and the tags, contributing artists (in my file names) and everything in the default other than name are of no interest at all to me.
How do I change folder DEFAULTS?
What GooRoo said … I don’t want these crappy “general items,” “documents,” “pictures,” and “music” templates… I came here so I could find out how to change the items viewed for these templates so I can then apply the BETTER/CUSTOM templates where needed!
Unfortunately, Microsoft does not allow custom templates yet. You can set-up one of the templates and apply it to other folders, but you can’t specify which files it will recognize. I hope they allow further customizations in the future.