Windows 10: Change Format of Folder Column in Windows Explorer to just <path>?

Is it possible to change the default format of the Folder column in Windows Explorer? (so it's just <path to file> instead of <directory of file> in <path to directory>)


Context: I'm searching a drive for all files of a given criteria (e.g. all xlsx) to verify files haven't been accidentally moved to the wrong directory. I'm sorting the results by the Folder column which only partly addresses the need in that it groups files in the same directory, but the directories aren't ordered to match the directory structure. I'd like to see the Folder as just the full path, so that nested folders appear contiguously making it much easier to see if there are outliers not in their proper location. Thanks!

:)

 

Sorting File Explorer Search output by Folder path


Possibly after editing, this may be useful as a tutorial -- but note the problem at the end ...
(sorting in Windows File Explorer may not always work correctly).

I tried to include all of the steps. I did not know how to capture a screen shot of the active
window while the Ribbon was present (to set the View to Details) and
while the context menu was visible (when right-clicking on one of the column headers).

In performing a search, I used the Search Box in File Explorer.
I don't let my PC access OneDrive or Google Docs -- generally,
I do only searches just on my PC or just on the Web.

1. Perform a search.

2. Set the View to Details (if it isn't already).





3. (if the Folder path column is not already present...)
Right-Click on any of the column headers.
A context menu appears.
4. Select More in the context menu.





A Choose Details dialog box appears.

(5. You can uncheck the box next to Folders - to get rid of the Folders column).





6. Check the box next to Folder path - to make the Folder path column appear (you'll have to scroll down to find it).
7. Then, click on the Ok box to dismiss the dialog box and save the changes to the Details View.





8. With the Folder path column now present, click on its column header to sort the listing by Folder path.
(The next picture shows the result after clicking on the Folder path column header.)





It is unfortunate that either Microsoft forces the search to be re-done or it was something they missed on their part.
If you want to sort the output using another column header (or reverse the sort order), each time you click on a column header, the search is re-done. Based on what I have read on doing searches in Windows 10, it's possible that Microsoft is currently placing more emphasis on searching using Cortana -- this may be why local file searches using File Explorer do not appear to work as well as they did in Windows 7.

Finally, if you take a closer look at the picture showing the final result, you'll note that the sorting did not work as expected (or at least as I expected). Thus, it appears that sorting in Windows File Explorer may not always work correctly. I have not thoroughly tested this, but there may be a strong dependence of ordering search results in File Explorer on what one uses to search on.

Eugenio

 

why won't column headings in File Explorer (Windows 10) stay the way I set them??

Hello,

To resolve the issue with column heading on File Explorer, we suggest to follow the steps below:

• Click on the View Tab.
• Click Folder Options.
  
  
• Click Apply to all folders.

Keep us posted.

Regards.

 

File Explorer Column Headings Keep Resetting

Hi,

To resolve the issue with File Explorer Column Headings, you may follow these steps below:

• Click on View Tab.
• 
  Click
  Folder
  Options.
  
• 
  Click
  Apply to all folders.
  

Keep us informed for further assistance.

Regards.