Windows 7 comes with lots of improvements and new features but also some annoyances. The biggest annoyance with Windows 7 is the redesigned Windows Explorer.
Microsoft removed some classic and useful functionality from Windows 7 Explorer like:
- You can't change order of icons in Windows 7 Explorer using simple drag-n-drop
- Windows 7 Explorer doesn't show column header (sort header) in folder views except Details view
There are also many people who don't like the new Full row select feature in Windows 7 Explorer.
We have posted many tutorials in past to fix these annoyances. But today we are going to share an absolutely free and very small utility "Folder Options X" which allows you to fix following annoyances in Windows 7 Explorer:
- Disable full row select
- Enable column header in all views
- Enable icon reordering
Folder Options X is a free software created by AskVG reader "T800". You just need to install this tool, run it and enable the desired options using the checkboxes as shown in following screenshot:
Just click on Apply button and the desired features will get enabled/disabled in Windows Explorer instantly. No reboot or log off is required.
Following are 2 screenshots showing the before and after effects:
Default Windows 7 Explorer:
Modified Windows 7 Explorer Using Folder Options X Utility:
As you can see in the 2nd screenshot, full row select feature has been disabled, column header (sort header) is enabled in all folder views and now you can reorder icons using simple drag-n-drop.
You can download this tool using following link:
It works in both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 editions.
If you want to do these things manually, check out following tutorials:
- How to Disable Full Row Select Functionality in Windows Vista and 7 Explorer?
- Explorer7Fixes: Enable Sort Header (Column Header) in All File View Modes in Windows 7 Explorer
- How to Get Classic XP Styled Navigation Pane Back in Windows 7 Explorer?
This article was posted by VG in following section: Software, Troubleshooting, Windows 7.
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nipunb
hey thnx for the info, really great app.......... :)
yethz
One thing that Im annoyed in Windows 7 is;
I cannot re-order the icons when I drag and drop it... (in Windows XP this is not a problem)
thanks for the share bro VG.. I think this solves that annoyances :D
yethz
Ow... Adding more info:
Yes now it works.. Though It says no need to restart or logoff but it doesnt work in my Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit..
I have to restart explorer after it was installed ;)
restarting explorer its like logging-off or restart..
NZero
Really simple and good utility!
For "Enable column header in all views", I prefer to use the feature in "ClassicShell". Better layout.
Mushaf
Nice utility. But I'm already used to with the default Windows 7 behavior.
Samar
good to see someone working on Explorer... however it is not a very helpful utility to me
SMBR
Cool App.............
kiwichick
Awesome, thanks heaps!!!!!
yethz: I am also using Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit and I did not need to restart, restart or logoff.
kiwichick
UPDATE: Does anyone else have this happening with the column headers:
When opening some folders that are already in extra large or large icon view, the column headers are overlaying the icons - this can only be fixed by changing to another view and then returning to extra large or large icons. If the same folders are opened in another view and then changed to extra large or large icons the column headers do not overlay the icons.
yethz
@kiwichick:
I dont know what could be the bug, but it wont take effect unless i restarted explorer..
still i removed it now. It has some bugs on my PC.
after a few minutes after installed, when i open a folder in explorer using the enter key in my keyboard the cursors it automatically jumps to search box in explorer.. very weird..
I'll just stick to what windows 7 new explorer features are :D