Windows Explorer (Folder and Search Options) tips for Windows 7

If you are like me and need to have a lot of info within your visible spectrum, the default Windows Explorer settings for Windows 7 is definitely not enough.  The good news is that it can be set to your preferences, which should be taken advantage of because, well, hey, they're called "Personal Computers" for a reason.

Read on for some handy tips!


Fire up windows explorer using any of these options.

• Right click Start > Click on Open Windows Explorer.
• Click Start > Click on Computer.
• Double Click any Folder on the Desktop.

Open up Folder and Search Options.

• Click Organize > Folder and Search Options.

The main features that I like to include are:

• General Tab
• Navigation Pane
• Show all folders - default unchecked; Even though I don't keep many folders on the desktop, I'd recommend you to keep it checked.  This will show all the folders in the Navigation Pane.

Navigation Pane when "Show all Folders" is unchecked.

Navigation Pane when "Show all Folders" is checked.  Note: I had copied new folders on the desktop for this screen shot.

• Automatically expand to current folder - default unchecked; I recommend you to keep it checked.  I use Rocket Dock to hold the folders I frequent and it's mighty helpful when you click on a folder and it's hierarchical structure is displayed in the Navigation Pane, especially when you need to move around quickly.  I mean, what's the point of a shortcut to a folder if you have to click and click and click and click to expand all of the folders in the Navigation Pane?
• View Tab
• Display file size information in folder tips - default checked; I recommend you to keep it unchecked.  Usually I view folders in Detail view, so the file size is displayed in a column next to the file name so it's not necessary, but as it says in this tip, it also wastes CPU cycles and can potentially drain a laptop's battery if you navigate Windows Explorer constantly.
• Hide files and folders - default "Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives"; I recommend you to always have this set to "Show hidden files, folders, and drives."  This will help you see files and folders you might want to monitor or edit (though you should know what you're editing before-hand!).  Also, it will make some malware easier to spot, as explained here.
• Hide empty drives in the Computer folder - default checked; You should keep this unchecked so that if you insert a blank USB flash drive, it will display & save you from some confusion.
• Hide extensions for known file types - default checked; This should always be unchecked so you can see what the extensions of files downloaded are, to keep you aware of the real extensions.  It will also help distinguish which files are which, especially when multiple files have similar names, but different extensions.
• Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color - default checked; This should be unchecked to speed up navigation.  Only if you really need these files to be singled out should you check it.
• Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items - default checked; I've got this unchecked for the same reason as "Display file size information in folder tips" -- to save the computer from wasting CPU cycles to display information which I'm already seeing in detailed view.

For some other things which I haven't mentioned, take a look at this set of Folder Options tips.