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. 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 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, subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles.
Astitva
hey VG!!
I have a little bit of problem with my PC....
I'm running on Windows 7 Ultimate and at night, exactly at 10 my computer's screen just goes BLUE and the system restarts with Windows Recovery!!
This happens every night at 10.
Please help, the Windows call this 'BlueScreen' error.
prashant
gr8 !! But i also want to change the color of command bar and details pane to vista color... Plz give me a tutorial..
Chad
Heya VG, my Windows 7 won't start because i renamed my shell32: shell32bottom.dll
help? how can i edit it using Snow Leopard?? Good thing i have two OS'.
VG
^^ If you can rename it using other OS, rename back it to shell32.dll. Otherwise you can take the file from any other working Windows 7 system and paste it in your system using other OS. Or you can repair Windows using setup disc.
@prashant
Its done by modifying shellstyle.dll file present in Theme folder.
@Astitva
It might be possible that some program is scheduled to launch at 10 which is causing this blue screen problem. Try to disable unnecessary program from startup using msconfig.
Chad
nah, lools.
renamed it using command prompt and safe mode. :)))))
Hackerpunk1
@Astitva the problem is in task schedule.there is some types of application in it when start up overload the pc.thats why you get BSOD(Bluescreen of Death) Everytime.
Max
I was wanting the details pane at top and I ALMOST HOSED MY PC WITH THIS. I was using Windows Se7en File Replacer to replace the shell32 in system32 with the hacked one. I was using W7U x64, it was the wrong directory - I should do it in SysWOW64. Luckily, there was a restore point so I could use System Repair to do System Restore. S. Restore worked. The issue was that I experienced an error while logging in and it just hangs. Help me? I want better instructions for x64 Windows to make the details pane appear at the top. I was pretty scared and I was like WTF while seeing that shit happening. Frustrating. Did I do something wrong? Is ResHacker bad? (Someone reported that a ResHacker file tuned to original settings is 1KB lighter than the original file, even though that file contains exactly the same ResHacker content as the original file. Weird.)
Haeddy
I cannot rename original shell32.dll
spacerock27
i try to take ownership and it does not work
:(
Matt
I had the same problem as "MAX" except I also got a "Failed to load program correctly" error. I have x64 W7 Ultimate. I will test further to figure it out.