If you can remember the good old Longhorn days when Windows Vista was under Beta testing, the Details Pane in Windows Explorer used to show at top just below the Command Bar. But in Windows Vista RTM (Final version), the Details Pane was moved to bottom. Same thing applies to Windows 7 as well.
There are many people who still want to get the Details Pane at top as shown in our AeroVG theme preview picture:
You can also change the "Details Pane" position from Bottom to Top in Windows Vista and 7 Explorer using following simple steps:
1. We'll have to edit "%windir%\System32\Shell32.dll" file. First copy Shell32.dll file from "System32" folder to some other location for example Desktop.
Note: here %windir% represents "Windows" directory which can be found in the system drive where Windows is installed. In most of the cases its C:\Windows.
2. Now open the new file in Resource Hacker.
3. Go to "View -> Find Text" (or press Ctrl + F). It'll open Find box.
4. Now type following String in textbox:
layoutpos="bottom"
5. Click on "Find Next" button and it'll show the line containing this text. It should be in UIFILE section.
6. You have to just replace "bottom" word with "top".
7. When you have done, click on "Compile Script" button.
8. Now press "F3" key and it'll show the next line containing the same text. Again do the same mentioned in 6th step.
9. Remember! You have to replace "bottom" word with "top" only in following locations (i.e. keys under UIFILE section):
3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20, 21
10. If you also want to show the Details Pane at Top in Browse/Save/Open dialog boxes, then replace "bottom" word with "top" in 27 and 28 keys too.
11. That's it. You have done. Now save the file.
12. Now we'll need to replace original Shell32.dll file present in "C:\Windows\System32\" folder with our new Shell32.dll file which we saved at Desktop or some other location.
12 a. First take ownership of "C:\Windows\System32\Shell32.dll" file using following tutorial:
Add Take Ownership Option in File / Folder Context Menu in Windows Vista and 7
12 b. Now rename it to "shell32_backup.dll" or any other name.
12 c. Now copy your new modified "shell32.dll" file from Desktop to "System32" folder.
PS. If you are using 64-bit Windows edition, you'll also need to replace Shell32.dll file present in "C:\Windows\sysWOW64\" folder with new one.
13. Restart your system and after restart Windows will start using your new modified file and you'll get details pane at Top.
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Resource Hacker, Windows 7, Windows Vista
Ian
VG,
Wasn't the Details Pane on top in some Longhorn builds?
VG
^^ Yes.
NZero
VG, I'm using Windows 8 here:
1. Is it possible to move the “Details Pane” from right-hand side to bottom?
2. I noticed layout="filllayout()" is at StatusBarModule line (status bar?). Do I need to copy that to DetailsContainer line?
3. If I successfully move the “Details Pane” to bottom, will it affect the "Preview Pane"?
Thanks in advance :)
VG
^^ Cant say much. You can try it in virtual machine but I doubt it'll work.
sheeraz
its too good,
i have Win 7 x64, i tried it, i have replaced shell32.dll to both the directories (ie. system32 & syswow64) but it didn't worked, after rebooting itz giving error for every program (initiating in start-up like IDM, daemon tools etc nd for everything) after this no any exe file executes, i tried it twice but same thing happens every time, i don't know where i am mistaking during editing dlls.
any help!!!!!
VG
^^ Please check following:
http://www.askvg.com/why-64-bit-windows-users-face-login-or-other-problems-after-modifying-system-files-using-resource-hacker/
Ian
Do you have that theme in the screenshot up for download? :)
VG
^^ Its AeroVG theme:
http://www.askvg.com/gallery/
Ian
Wouldn't you please post a version of the modified file for download? :(
VG
^^ Currently I'm on Windows 8 so cant post. I didnt share the modified file because file versions might be different in different systems due to installed Windows updates. If the version number differs, your system might refuse to start. So its better to modify the file yourself.