File Explorer Columns - Change Order in Windows 8

How to Change the Order of Columns in Windows 8 File Explorer

information   Information
Columns display a wide variety of details about files in a folder or library in File explorer. For example, name, date modified, type, size, etc..... Columns are only available when using Details view in File Explorer.

This tutorial will show you how to move and change the order of columns displayed in a opened folder or library in File Explorer in Windows 8.

Note   Note

  • In Libraries, column order changes are applied to all included folders in the library.
  • In File Explorer, column order changes are only applied to that specific folder and the specific location it was opened from (ex: shortcut vs File Explorer), and will not be applied to any other folder unless Apply to Folders is used, or it is used to set a default view for all folders.





OPTION ONE

To Manually Drag Columns to Change Order in File Explorer


1. In File Explorer, open a folder or library that you want to change the order of columns in.​
2. On the column bar, left click and hold on a column name (ex: Date modified) that you want to move, then do step 3 and/or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)​
Drag-1.jpg
3. To Move a Column to the Left in this Folder or Library
A) Drag the column (ex: Date modified) to the left of the column (ex: Type) you want it to the left of until that column (ex: Type) slides over to the left of the dragged column (ex: Date modified). (see screenshot below)​
Left-1.jpg
B) Release the dragged column (ex: Date modified) to now have it to the left of the column (ex: Type) you wanted it moved to. (see screenshot below)​
Left-2.jpg
4. To Move a Column to the Right in this Folder or Library
A) Drag the column (ex: Date modified) to the right of the column (ex: Name) you want it to the right of until that column (ex: Name) slides over to the right of the dragged column (ex: Date modified). (see screenshot below)​
Right-1.jpg
B) Release the dragged column (ex: Date modified) to now have it to the right of the column (ex: Name) you wanted it moved to. (see screenshot below)​
Right-2.jpg
5. Repeat step 2 for any other column that you would like to move in this folder or library.​
6. When finished, you might also would like to change the width of any added columns to what you want as well.​





OPTION TWO

To Set Order of Columns in File Explorer using "Choose Details"


1. In File Explorer, open a folder or library that you want to change the order of columns in, then do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​
2. Click/tap on the View tab, click/tap on Add columns and Choose columns in the Ribbon, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
Add-columns.jpg
3. Right click anywhere on the column bar, click/tap on More, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
Column_Bar.jpg
4. Select (highlight) a checked (added) column that you would like to change the order of, then click/tap on either Move Up or Move Down until it is listed in the order you want. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: Only the checked details display for the items within columns in this folder or library in File Explorer.​
Move.jpg
5. Repeat step 4 for any other columns that you want to change the order of. When finished, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)​
6. You might also would like to change the width of any added columns to what you want as well.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

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