Is there a way to set the default column layout and sizes for Windows File Explorer views for zip files?

Question

I want to open freshly created/downloaded zip files in Windows File Explorer in Details view with a customized default column layout that's different than the default Name, Type, Compressed size, Password, Size, Ratio, Date modified.

The default view is almost okay, but the filenames I work with often exceed the column size, and there are columns I never use, cluttering up the display. It's an ongoing irritation.

Just to be absolutely clear:

1. I download a .zip file and double-click it to open it.
2. I want to see File Explorer open it with a wider space for the Name and Type columns, the Password and Ratio columns hidden, and the rest of the columns reordered to better match what I've set for my regular folders.

Is this critical? No. I've lived decades with this behavior. And I know about e.g. 7-Zip. I want to use File Explorer.

Would it brighten my day every time I open a new .zip file in Explorer if I could set the defaults? ABSOLUTELY. And I know Explorer can do the work - I can set the columns of an individual zip file, then come back later and open that same zip file again and it still retains the layout I've given it. I just want to know what/where to tweak to make my choices the default. I've tried using the [Apply to Folders] button in "Change folder and search options" to no avail.

Any ideas how to achieve this? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

It looks like the way to set a custom template for .zip folders is via an AllFolders regtistry entry. These can be per-user modifications if created under:

    HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{80213e82-bcfd-4c4f-8817-bb27601267a9}

or machine-wide if created under:

    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\bags\AllFolders\Shell\{80213e82-bcfd-4c4f-8817-bb27601267a9}

Because the view property bags are strored with binary data specifying Columns, sort, etc., it's best to copy an existing saved view that has been set to the preferred defaults. Locating the bag you want to copy is the only tricky part. You'll be looking for an entry With the registry path:

    HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\<Bag#>\Shell\{80213e82-bcfd-4c4f-8817-bb27601267a9}

---

Warnings:

For a .zip folder to use its dedicated FolderType ({80213e82-bcfd-4c4f-8817-bb27601267a9}):

• It must be created/opened in a folder that does not have Inheritance set for itself or any ancestor.
• Default FolderTypes must not be over-ridden by a FolderType entry under either:
  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\bags\AllFolders

---

ProcMon is one way to determine what bag is being writeen to when an Explorer window is closed (that is when any view modifications are saved). Another way is to:

• determine the highest numbered bag currently in use.

  • PowerShell:

      'MaxBaag# - {0}' -f ([Int[]]((gci 'HKCU:\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags' -Name) -match '\d+') | sort)[-1]
    

• Open Explorer, create a new .zip folder, set its view to your liking, close the Explorer window.
• The view you just created should now be saved with the name:
• ...\Bags\<MaxBag# + 1>\Shell\{80213e82-bcfd-4c4f-8817-bb27601267a9}

<MaxBag# + 1>

Once you've located the bag you want to copy you simply have to:

1. Export the registry key:

   HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\<Bag#>\Shell\{80213e82-bcfd-4c4f-8817-bb27601267a9}
   

2. Open the .reg file and edit the key path:

   • For a per-user mod, simply replace the bag number with the string AllFolders
   • For a machine-wide mod, in addition to replacing the bag#, replace:
     • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software
   • with:

     • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE

         Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
       
         ; Copied From:
         ; [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{80213E82-BCFD-4C4F-8817-BB27601267A9}]
         ; Per-user path
         [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{80213E82-BCFD-4C4F-8817-BB27601267A9}]
         ; Machine-wide path would be:
         [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{80213E82-BCFD-4C4F-8817-BB27601267A9}]
       

3. Save and then merge the modified .reg file

4. Verify you've created a registry entry similar to the following (don't forget to refresh the view in RegEdit if already opened):

5. Sign out and back in (per-user) or restart (machine-wide) for changes to take effect.