file explorer: changing file column width without going into "Details" view

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thomas G. Marshall
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Thomas G. Marshall

I prefer "List" view for my explorer windows.

Often the window will default with a filename column width too short for the
names in the folder.

So I've been hopping into Details view, double clicking on the column
separator, and then hopping back into List view.

Seems like a cumbersome way to do it. Any better way?

Thanks

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arguments reversed do not understand much about the design of
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What is file explorer?

Do you mean Windows Explorer or are you using some 3rd party deal?

This works in List view.

1. On the View menu, click Choose Details and then click the name of the
column that you want to adjust.
2. In the Width of selected column (in pixels) box, enter the size that you
want and then click OK.

In Details view.

Click and Drag a header divider to change the width of a column.

Double click the header divider to open a column to the width needed to view
the longest entry. You have to drag it back to get it to be narrow again.
If the column is wider than the longest entry, double click the header
divider to resize it to the width of the longest entry.

Ctrl + + (Hold the Ctrl key down and press the plus key on the numeric
keypad), this will adjust all the column widths to the longest entry in each
column. You have to drag them back to get them narrow again.

1. On the View menu, click Choose Details and then click the name of the
column that you want to adjust.
2. In the Width of selected column (in pixels) box, enter the size that you
want and then click OK.

How to Change Column Settings in Windows Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310297

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Wesley Vogel said something like:
What is file explorer?

Do you mean Windows Explorer or are you using some 3rd party deal?

This works in List view.

1. On the View menu, click Choose Details and then click the name of the
column that you want to adjust.
2. In the Width of selected column (in pixels) box, enter the size that
you
want and then click OK.
Click to expand...

Ok, good. However, an interesting thing I've noticed:

Usually the following works:

1. go to Details view
2. drag the column separator to width X
3. go to List view
4. (columns are width X)

But if I do the following:

1. from List view, click "Choose Details..."
2. enter in Y for column width
3. go to Details view
4. drag the column separator to width X
5. go back to List view
6. (columns are still width Y)

In other words, what I set for pixel width with "choose details" sticks with
List and I can never bring it back to following the rule that it will always
use whatever was chosen in Details view.

How do I "unset" the numeric width in List view?

Thanks
 
When I select list view, it automatically adjusts for the longest entry. I can modify the list
width via the 'Choose Details' dialog, and it will be retained if toggle to a different view
setting. But if I close the folder & open it again, it auto-adjusts.

Really curious as to how the width is somehow being saved on your machine.
 
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