Newsletter Archives

• How to fix File Explorer folder views in Windows 10 and 11

  Posted on February 6, 2023 at 02:45 CST by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.06 • 2023-02-06

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  There’s a common complaint about the file manager in Windows 10 and 11. You change File Explorer’s “folder view” to show filenames, dates, file sizes, and so forth. You’ve got them exactly the way you want. You select View, Options and use the View tab to click “Apply to Folders.” Then File Explorer immediately forgets what you said and shows folders any damn way it wants.

  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. But the anguish from this problem arises so often that it’s a wonder Microsoft hasn’t fixed it by now.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.06.0, 2023-02-06).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Public Defender File Explorer, Newsletters, Windows, Windows 10, Windows 11

• DockFolders — it’s the pretty things …

  Posted on April 11, 2022 at 02:42 CDT by Deanna McElveen • Comment in the Forums

  FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT

  

  By Deanna McElveen

  I would like to start out with an apology to those I have neglected this year. I have been so nerdy with the software, and then I remember that some of you just want pretty things.

  No worries! I have what you need! Pretty and useful! DockFolders by Silon Systems is beta freeware (you know I have to be the first to try anything) that creates a gorgeous, curved folder dock/menu on your desktop. The program works on Windows 7, 10, and 11.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.15.0, 2022-04-11).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Freeware Spotlight AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Deanna's Freeware Spotlight, File Explorer, utilities

• ‘Shell’ Extensions; Quick Assist; and moving a spinning HDD

  Posted on February 28, 2022 at 02:44 CST by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  It was another busy week for the AskWoody email servers, as your fellow subscribers sent in tips, observations, and questions covering a huge range of issues. Here are some of the most interesting!

  First up: An excellent tip involving another way to check for the cause of File Explorer malfunctions.

  Second: Remote Desktop’s gussied-up cousin, “Quick Assist.”

  And last: When you absolutely must, here’s how to safely move an active, spinning hard drive!

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.09.0 (2022-02-28).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, File Explorer, hard drive, LangaList, Quick Assist, Remote Desktop Connection

• Wide-ranging reader questions

  Posted on February 21, 2022 at 02:44 CST by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  The AskWoody email servers have been busy! This week’s column features three interesting questions and tips submitted by your fellow subscribers.

  First up: We look at several potential workarounds for OneDrive backup issues.

  Second: A reader encounters the one time when an unexpected reboot doesn’t necessarily signify trouble.

  And last: A malfunctioning copy of File Explorer resists all repair attempts!

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.08.0 (2022-02-21).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, File Explorer, LangaList, OneDrive, reboot

• How Windows 11 changes File Explorer — for better or for worse

  Posted on November 8, 2021 at 02:45 CST by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  ISSUE 18.43 • 2021-11-08

  WINDOWS 11

  

  By Lance Whitney

  File Explorer in Windows 11 works mostly the same as in Windows 10, but there are visual and layout tweaks as well as new menus and locations for key commands.

  Those of you who upgrade to Windows 11 have to contend with a new and decidedly unimproved Start menu, a more limited Taskbar, and other changes that may leave you cold. Fortunately, File Explorer is one feature that survived the move to Windows 11 without major damage.

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.43.0 (2021-11-08).
  This story also appears in the AskWoody Free Newsletter 18.43.F (2021-11-08).

  AskWoody FREE Newsletter, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Windows 11 AskWoody Plus Newsletter, File Explorer, Windows 11, Windows Explorer

• When File Explorer stutters, loses focus

  Posted on April 6, 2020 at 01:10 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  By Fred Langa

  PCs with multiple hard drives that spin up at different rates can cause File Explorer to temporarily lose its way.

  Single-drive systems, too, can experience similar issues due to wear and maintenance problems. Here’s a fix.

  Plus: An old malware scam resurfaces.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.13.0 (2020-04-06).

  LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Drive spin-up, Drive timeout, File Explorer, malware

• Win10 Insight: File Explorer’s hidden treasures

  Posted on April 1, 2019 at 03:44 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Win10’s File Explorer can jump through hoops you likely didn’t know existed. From custom filters to manually modifying metadata, and many place in between, Win10’s File Explorer puts the “work” in workhorse.

  Inside tips from Michael Lasky.

  Out this morning to Plus members in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.12.0.

  Windows News AskWoody Plus Newsletter, File Explorer

• Turn off advertising in Windows File Explorer

  Posted on March 8, 2017 at 07:25 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  I’m getting confirmation that this infernal ad appears in Win10 File Explorer, going back at least to version 1511.

  Fortunately, it’s easy to zap – but you have to know the trick.

  InfoWorld Woody on Windows

  Thanks to Martin Brinkmann, Ghacks.net.

  Windows News Advertising, File Explorer, Windows 10 advertising