How to Change the Template of a Library, Folder, or Drive in Windows 8
InformationThis tutorial will show you how to change the template of a library, folder, or drive in File Explorer to optimize it for General Items, Documents, Pictures, Music, or Videos in your user account in Windows 8.
EXAMPLE: "General Items", "Documents", "Pictures", "Music", and "Videos" Folder Templates
NOTE: These screenshots are using the default view for each folder template. What you see will also depend on what you have Group by , Sort by , Arrange by and icon size or view set as.
OPTION ONE
To Change Template of a Folder or Drive in File Explorer
1. Open File Explorer, and do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
2. Right click or press and hold on a folder or drive that you want to change the template of, click/tap on Properties, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: You will not be able to do this for the C: drive that your current Windows 8 is installed on, and also not for the folders in the root directory of C:.
3. Open a folder or drive that you want to change the template of, right click or press and hold on a empty space in the window, click/tap on Customize this folder, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will not be able to do this for the C: drive that your current Windows 8 is installed on, and also not for the "Windows", "Program Files" system folders in the root directory of C:.
4. Click/tap on the Customize tab. Under What kind of folder do you want, select the folder template that you want to have the folder optimized for. (see screenshots below)
5. If you would like to also apply this template to all subfolders in this folder or drive, then check the Also apply this template to all subfolders box. (see screenshots above)
6. When finished, click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below step 4)
OPTION TWO
To Change Template of a Library
NOTE: All included folders in a library will share the same folder template and folder view.
1. Open the Libraries folder, and do either step 2 or 3 below.
2. Optimize Library Template in Ribbon
A) Select a library (ex: Music) that you want to change the template of, and click/tap on the Manage (Library Tools) tab on the ribbon. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on Optimize library for, and click/tap on the folder template that you want for the library to check it. (see screenshot below)
3. Optimize Library Template in Properties
A) Right click or press and hold on a library (ex: Pictures) that you want to change the template of, click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)
B) Under Optimize this library for, select the folder template that you want for the library, and click/tap OK. (see screenshots below)
That's it,
Shawn
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