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.
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Sangeetha
Hey, i tried again, and i am using the admin account. are you referring to the standard admin account or the windows admin account? i would like the theme and the awesome details pane thinge to work for my standard account as i don't wanna mess up the windows admin account. still can't get it to work after taking ownership and all. successful only until step 12. :(
VG
^^ Thats really strange. Try to disable UAC from Control Panel.
Sangeetha
okay :) i'll try testing it and get back to you!
Dustin
Hey VG, this works in Seven. I did NOT try 27 and 28 though. You may want to give it a shot yourself. Just thought I would let you know.
Devon
Dear Vishal,
I did everything in the tutorial, except I only saved the new modded shell32 as a file by default, and not as a .dll
As such, when I restarted my computer, Windows could not find shell32.dll in the System32 Folder because I renamed the original.
Now, I can't log in to change it, and I do not have a backup disc. Someone said earlier they fixed this in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, but didn't say what they did. Could you please tell me what to do?
VG
^^ Once you boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt, provide following commands:
cd/
cd windows
cd system32
ren shell32 shell32.dll
Devon
Sorry, that won't be needed anymore. I just used a System Restore to the day before I tried doing this tutorial.
FuRrY321
What do you mean, "only in the following locations"? How do I tell if it's the 19th position? The 3rd? Sorry, I know nothing of coding, so I can't tell where one string ends and one begins.
PS Loving your AeroVG theme!
TheAslan
How do i move Favorite Links bar from left to right??
VG
^^ These are key names present under UIFILE section.