How to find the Folder Options menu


One of the first things I do after I install a Windows Operating System is to make sure I have access to all hidden folders and that i can see the extension for all files, including common files like ".txt" or ".doc". That is because I want to have complete access to every file or folder from my system.

To make these settings in Windows XP it was pretty easy - while I was browsing through the folders on my system, I selected Tools and then Folder Options from the top menu of Windows Explorer.

When I used Windows Vista for the first time I was a bit surprised to see that the Tools menu is nowhere to be found in Windows Explorer. So where did it go?

It seems that it was hidden from the Windows Explorer default interface. In order to access it, press the ALT key on your keyboard and the old menu will appear.

Tools Menu

Another fast way to find the Folder Options is to use the search box from the start menu. Simply type "folder options" in the search field and the first result should be the Folder Options shortcut.

Start Menu

Click on the it or press the Enter key to open it. Go to the View tab and make the settings you want.

Folder Options

If you want to use the new Control Panel, you need to go to Appearance and Personalization and then click on Folder Options.

Control Panel

If you use the Classic View you will see it in the list of items starting with the letter "f".

Control Panel


Related articles:
Enable the "Copy To Folder" and "Move To Folder" options in your right click menu
Windows Explorer Tips & Tricks



Comments

Hi i am new to vista. i am

Hi i am new to vista. i am not able to view folder options in control panel or Organize. i tried it. few days ago i change properties of some file as hidden but now not able to view them. need some solutoins.

search

Have you tried to search the terms 'folder options' in the Start Menu search field?

Under Tools, then Options,

Under Tools, then Options, in XP I could see File Types. I do not see that here now, even after following this advice. Any tips?

folder options missing

hya i hide my windows folder and some other folders aswell and now i cant unhide them any more because i cant find folder options in my vista any more i have looked in control panel i even search for the folder options but nothing comes up if any one can help me out in that it would be great thanks

I like the flat folders view

I like the flat folders view that is in windows XP. Can I have that view in Vista?

folder display file type

Is there anyway to change the folder options so that the file type will automatically be shown in all folders? I am working with bmp's, jpeg's, etc... and am becoming disgusted having to manually tell each folder to show the file type.

missing search

Hi, we have vista and after we installed sp1, "search" from Start menu (on the right side) is missing.

How to get it back it again?

Thank you in advance.

Permanant Toolbar

Tip
To permanently show the menu bar, click Organize on the toolbar, point to Layout, and then click Menu Bar

how about how to get to File

how about how to get to File Types? they nuked the File Types tab in Folder Options, so i have no idea where they put it now.

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