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Change Default Folder View of Search Results on Windows 10

If you have recently used the Windows 10 File Explorer Search box to find a file, you might have noticed it consistently displays results in Content View. Even if you switch to Details View, it reverts back each time you close and reopen it. This recurring issue has frustrated many users since the release of Windows 10.

Another complaint is that the filename column in Content View is often too narrow, limiting the visibility of file names. Thus, understanding how to set a persistent view can significantly enhance your file-searching efficiency. Let’s dive into how to change the default folder view of search results on Windows 10 with the following guide.

Change Default Folder View of Search Results on Windows 10

Before proceeding, ensure to create a restore point, which serves as a backup in case anything goes wrong.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step Action
1 Open Notepad and copy-paste the following code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{7fde1a1e-8b31-49a5-93b8-6be14cfa4943}]
"LogicalViewMode"=dword:00000001
"Mode"=dword:00000004
2 Click File in the Notepad menu, then select Save As...
3 Select All Files from the Save as type dropdown.
4 Name the file Searchfix.reg (note the .reg extension).
5 Choose a location to save the file (e.g., Desktop) and click Save.
6 Right-click the registry file and select Run as Administrator.
7 Reboot your PC to apply the changes.

Set Details View for Music, Pictures, Documents, and Videos Search Folders

To configure specific search folders for a default details view:

Step Action
1 Open Notepad and copy-paste the following code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags]
;Generic Search Results
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{7fde1a1e-8b31-49a5-93b8-6be14cfa4943}]
"LogicalViewMode"=dword:00000001
"Mode"=dword:00000004
;Pictures Search Results
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{4dcafe13-e6a7-4c28-be02-ca8c2126280d}]
"LogicalViewMode"=dword:00000001
"Mode"=dword:00000004
;Music Search Results
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{71689ac1-cc88-45d0-8a22-2943c3e7dfb3}]
"LogicalViewMode"=dword:00000001
"Mode"=dword:00000004
;Documents Search Results
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{36011842-dccc-40fe-aa3d-6177ea401788}]
"LogicalViewMode"=dword:00000001
"Mode"=dword:00000004
;Videos Search Results
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{ea25fbd7-3bf7-409e-b97f-3352240903f4}]
"LogicalViewMode"=dword:00000001
"Mode"=dword:00000004
2 Click File in the Notepad menu, then select Save As...
3 Select All Files as the type.
4 Save the file as Search.reg (ensure the .reg extension is included).
5 Choose a location (e.g., Desktop) for the file and click Save.
6 Right-click the registry file and select Run as Administrator.
7 Reboot your PC to apply the changes.

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That’s it! You have successfully learned how to change the default folder view of search results on Windows 10. If you still have any questions regarding this post, feel free to ask them in the comments section.

(29) Comments

  1. Jessica Green -

    Could you also write about how to remove duplicate search results? That would be super helpful!

  2. Ricky Snap -

    LOL, I can't believe I was living without this change! Search results are a lot cleaner now, who knew

  3. Emily Carter -

    I love the fact that I can now customize my search results. Makes finding files a lot more efficient

  4. TommyTech -

    This is my go-to guide now! Changing the view really enhances how I find my files. Thanks a ton

  5. Chris Blue -

    Just tried it out, and it worked like a charm! Finally, I can see my results organized. Thanks for sharing

  6. Linda White -

    Fantastic guide! I’ve shared this with my coworkers. We all agree that customizing the search view makes a big difference

  7. James Right -

    I’m so glad I stumbled upon this article. Changing the view has made a noticeable difference in my workflow!

  8. TechGuru98 -

    Nice tips! I also recommend using the search filter options to narrow down results further. It makes the search process much smoother

  9. David Smith -

    Great article! Changing the default folder view of search results was something I had no idea how to do. Your step-by-step guide made it so easy

  10. Karen IT -

    For anyone having issues, make sure to update your Windows 10 to the latest version. It helped me solve some glitches

  11. Emma Ross -

    I’ve been searching for an answer to this for ages! So glad I found your tip

  12. PuppyLover123 -

    When I found out about this feature, I was so surprised! It's a game-changer for productivity

  13. Sammy B. -

    Awesome guide! Now my search results feel much more tailored to my needs. Keep up the good work!

  14. Sarah Thompson -

    I really appreciate the detailed instructions here. Sometimes the smallest tweaks can save a lot of time

  15. David89 -

    Quick question, do I need to restart my PC for changes to take effect? Would love to know

  16. Quang vn -

    Great stuff, I'm glad I found this. It will save me so much hassle while searching for documents

  17. Olivia Grey -

    If anyone is facing issues, just restart Windows Explorer after making changes, it usually helps

  18. Thùy Linh -

    Do you think this will work for larger files too? I have a ton of documents lying around!

  19. Huyền Lizzie -

    Really appreciate your help! Such a simple change but it makes all the difference in my day-to-day tasks

  20. Michael Brown -

    Anyone else noticing that sometimes search results still don't follow these default settings? Curious if it's a common issue

  21. Hannah Lee -

    Wow, I never thought about changing the default folder view! Thank you for this useful information!

  22. Amy Johnson -

    I've been struggling with the search results layout for ages. This really helps clarify things. Thanks a lot!

  23. Danielle V. -

    Thanks for the clear instructions! I recommend trying it out to see how different views can help you find exactly what you need

  24. Robert King -

    I remember struggling with this a few months back. Glad to see others are seeking help on this topic!

  25. NickJ -

    Finally, I'll be able to see my search results as I want. I had mentioned this several times to friends!

  26. Hương Đà Nẵng -

    I thought I was the only one who didn’t know how to do this! Now my search folders are so much prettier and organized

  27. Mèo con -

    This made my day! As a digital hoarder, finding the right files has become easier now!

  28. John Doe -

    Does this work for all versions of Windows 10? I'm still unsure if it will affect my setup

  29. Laura.B -

    Just implemented this and couldn’t be happier! Thanks for making my life easier with these clear instructions

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