NOTE: This tutorial has been featured by Microsoft. AskVG.com was the first website posting this unique trick.
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. So first take ownership of this file using following tutorial:
Add Take Ownership Option in File / Folder Context Menu in Windows Vista and 7
2. Now open the file in Resource Hacker.
3. Goto "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 at some other location, for example in D: drive.
12. Rename original "Shell32.dll" file present in "System32" folder to "shell32_backup.dll".
13. Now copy your new modified "shell32.dll" file to "System32" folder.
14. Restart your system and after restart Windows will start using your new modified file and you'll get details pane at Top.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Resource Hacker, Windows 7, Windows Vista.
If you enjoyed this article, you can subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our most popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles. If you have some news or tip to share, please send us.
FuRrY321
Why is it that custom shell32.dll files always end up making my system crash? or sometimes, when I rename the file .BAK, and copy the custom .dll from other themes, (ie Maxclear) it says that the file was not found, and certain aspects of explorer.exe won't load (ie Quick launch, Start Menu). Then I have to go into "repair your system" at startup and use the command line to rename the .BAK file to .dll - and there's no prompt for overwriting! Turns out, when I copy the file via cmd, it ends up somewhere other than the System32 folder. (Copying in explorer results in a "try again" box even though I have all necessary permissions.)
Dang it, why am I still sticking with Windows when I have openSUSE 11.2 KDE (linux) installed? I used it for a while, now I'm back here? WHY!?
Osmosiz Ching
The new shell32.dll crash my system, i cant login, but i have recover my window 7 now, can u tell me wat is actually happen, i follow all the step but y this thing is happen?
A.J.
i have been trying to take ownership and it seems like it works but when i try to rename the original shell32.dll it says that i dont have permission to do so. thanks
Ayoosh
Hello vishal sir, i was just wondering how to change the background image of details pane in windows 7. Thank u very much
VG
^^ Its stored in msstyles file of the theme.
Ayoosh
Sir, i was able to locate themes in %windir%/resources but i am not able to locate the .msstyles files i can edit them in resource tuner thanks please tell e the location of msstyle files
Ayoosh
Vishal sir i was able to locate aero.msstyles but couldnt figure out where was the resource for changing detail pane bground located . I opened the file with rehacker and resource tuner but there was no details pane background in image resources. can u tell me exactly where its located
is it image > resource no 899 ??
VG
^^ I can't remember the exact resource number but it should be near 890 resource.
Ayoosh
sir thanks now can u tell me how to make details pane that shows values (like disk space, file system etc) in a different manner . for ex - details pane in your theme shows 1 value/line while in windows, by default , values are fitted in 2 lines only
vadcool
that is really awesome, now, can you tell us how to change the bitmap details pane??