Log In

Interactive Tutorial

File Explorer Views in Windows 10

How to Change File Explorer Views in Windows 10

Users love us
4.9 stars out of 5 on G2

4.9 out of 5 on G2

Try this course with a Free Trial

Interactive Tutorial

Practice live in your browser. No software required.

Try It Now

Windows 10 Course

4 Hour Course Certificate

View Course

Windows 10 Cheat Sheet

Free quick tips and shortcuts to use and share.

Download Cheat Sheet

Reference Guide

Step-by-step instructions with screenshots.

Reference Guide
File Explorer Views in Windows 10

You can change how each file appears and how the File Explorer window appears. This can be helpful if you're having issues differentiating files based on name alone.

File Explorer Views

  1. Click the File Explorer icon.
  2. Click the View tab.
  3. Click a new layout for your files from the Layout group.

    Hover your mouse over the options to preview changes.

  4. Click a new layout for the window pane from the Panes group.

    Layout options include:

    • Details pane: Click a file to reveal details such as date modified, file size, and date created.
    • Preview pane: Click a file to reveal a larger preview of the file.
    • Navigation pane: Choose an option for the layout of the Navigation pane.
    File explorer views.