When you use 'Apply to Folders' take note of the wording:
"You can apply the view (such as Details or Icons) that you are using for
this folder to all folders OF THIS TYPE."
'Type' referring to the available templates: 'All Items', 'Documents',
'Pictures & Videos', 'Music Icons', 'Music Details', and 'Contacts'.
So, you need to use 'Apply to Folders' once for EACH TYPE. You don't need
to seek out each type of folder -- just cycle any normal folder through the
various templates (except for Contacts, only available in Contacts), and use
'Apply to Folders' after each view is set the way you want.
If you really crave uniformity, you can force the 'All Items' template on to
all folders with the following:
Copy the text between the lines below into notepad & save as a .reg file.
Watch out for line wrap -- [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\...\Shell] is all one line,
there is a space between 'Local' and 'Settings'.
--------------------------------------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local
Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell]
"FolderType"="NotSpecified"
--------------------------------------------------
Merging the .reg file will set the 'All Items' template for any folders that
don't currently have a view saved with a different template. You can clear
all saved views by deleting the
"HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags"
key BEFORE merging the .reg file. If any folders open with a different
template after clearing the 'Bags' key & merging the .reg file, they most
likely have a template specified via their desktop.ini file.