How to Customize File Explorer Views in Windows 11

Master Windows 11 File Explorer layouts. Learn to toggle visibility, adjust column details, and apply folder views globally for a cleaner workspace.

1. Select your preferred file layout. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows Key + E. Click the View button in the top menu bar, hover over Layout, and select between Extra large, Large, Medium, Small, List, Details, Tiles, or Content views.
2. Toggle system elements and file extensions. Navigate to the View menu, hover over Show, and check File name extensions to ensure you always see file formats. Use this same sub-menu to toggle the visibility of Hidden items or the Navigation pane.
3. Modify folder column headers. Ensure you are in Details layout. Right-click any existing column header—such as Name, Date, or Type—to open the context menu. Select More... to open a dialog box where you can add or remove specific attributes like Authors, Tags, or Dimensions.
4. Apply persistent sorting rules. Click the Sort button in the top menu bar. Choose your primary metric such as Date modified or Size. Select either Ascending or Descending to dictate the direction of your list.
5. Set global folder view preferences. Once you have customized your view, click the three-dot icon (...) in the top command bar and select Options. Navigate to the View tab and click Apply to Folders to force all folders of the current type to match your settings.