Tuesday 2 August 2016

Choosing the fields shown in the details pane in Windows Explorer

I just noticed that weirdly in the details pane of Windows Explorer it would not show the total file size when I selected a bunch of Fuji RAF files. Yet it did show this information when I selected a bunch of JPEGs. The other fields that were shown were also quite different between the two file formats.

Thankfully it is possible (though a bit messy) to change what information is shown in the details pane. The information that should be displayed is set on a per file extension basis and stored in the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\SystemFileAssociations\.

I found the answer here: Customising Explorer Details Pane? (If you read through that thread you'll notice that the OP has to answer their own question after being given irrelevant answers by people who couldn't be bothered to read what was being asked. Unfortunately a common problem on internet fora.

In case that post ever dissappears, the solution is as follows:

  1. Run Regedit.
  2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\SystemFileAssociations\.mp3 (Or whatever file type you want to edit.)
  3. Edit the PreviewDetails string.
  4. If needed, log off and back on.