Most programs show the open file dialogue as 'List' on first access. My preference is mostly for 'Details'.

MS Office programs remember the last setting which enables me to effectively use 'Details' as my default for these programs (or even 'List' for Word and 'Preview' for PowerPoint for example).

Other programs revert to 'List' even if something else has already been selected to open a file - i.e.they don't even remember the chosen setting for the rest of a session.

Explorer has the option of setting how files are displated in a folder.

Is there an option (or registry change even) that would enable me to make the 'List' display the default for the open file dialogue for all Windows programs?

Derek Shaw

Hey Derek,

First, open an explorer window, then click 'View' and choose 'List'. Now, click on 'Tools', then 'Folder Options', on the top tab, click 'View', then on the top section click 'Apply to All Folders'.

Hope this helps.

- Ryan

I undeleted that one Ryan, that was a good answer, and Dereks only option. There are some programs that will only show you a set view (as the views are embeeded into the program itself and not configurable), but most Windows based open dialogs will work with what Ryan has set here.

EDIT: Marked as answered.