Windows 10: File Explorer - How to use - It has potential

I have info on smoke detectors in various places on my C: drive, that I would like to consolidate.

File Explorer gives you default columns to look at . . . It would be good if I could select to see the Path, is that possible? Yes, but you run into some issues.

What should I change here . . .

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PUT COLUMNS IN THIS ORDER

Name . . . you don't really need "Name", as it's in "Path", but you can't un-check it, and it is useful to view sorted on it most of the time, so, have that as the default

Path

Date modified

Date created

Size

Folder . . . Not very useful, un-check it
Type . . . Not really necessary, since you can see the extension in Path, un-check it

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

View / Options / View / Apply to folders / Yes / Ok

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Then when you search:

Specify the Column / colon / space / quotes around the word(s)
. . . name: "smoke" . . . or . . . name: "smoke det" . . . or . . . name: "smoke detectors"
. . . path: "smoke" . . . or . . . path: "smoke det" . . . or . . . path: "smoke detectors"

Put quotes around the word, or string of words you want, for an exact match.

How do you make it search for:
a.) "contains" your text (not exact match) . . . *smoke*
b.) your text starts the file name . . . smoke*
c.) your text is after the beginning . . . *smoke

It's not case sensitive . . . How do you make it case sensitive?

Then, click to sort on the "Path" column header, and consolidate based on what you see.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ISSUES

1.) Click on the file and go back, and it gets rid of the "Path" column, and gives me back "Folder"

2.) Click to Search, and it gives you the "Content" view (you want "Details")

3.) Want to get the "Path" column back? It is _very_ far down the list

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

How do you get File Explorer to retain what you want, when you clicked "Apply to folders" ?

Can I make a BAT file that sets this up every time, and then launches File Explorer? Where do you specify these settings?

:)

 

File explorer icon from taskbar dissappears while working on it

Hi,

To assist you with your concern, we suggest you pin the File Explorer from the Start Menu by following these steps:

• Click the Start Menu.
• Right-click File Explorer.
• Choose Pin to taskbar.

If you need further assistance, feel free to reply to this post.

 

"This file can't be previewed" problem in explorer

Hi Deborah,

For us to provide an accurate resolution, kindly elaborate the issue by answering the questions listed below:

• Since when have you been experiencing this issue?
• Were there any changes on your PC before this happened like software or updates installed?

For initial troubleshooting, we suggest that you follow the steps listed below:

• Open File Explorer.
• Access this link
  
  C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
• Delete all the files.
• After deleting the files kindly try and see if there's a thumbnail preview of your files.

We're looking forward to your response.

 

File Explorer

Hi Joyce,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I understand your inconvenience. We will assist you with it.

I suggest you to follow the steps provided below and check if it helps.

• Open File Explorer.
• Click on view option.
• Click on preview panel to turn it Off and On.

Hope this information helps. If you have any further queries related to Windows, let us know.
We will be happy to assist you.

Thank you.