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Changing the Explorer Window View

The Explorer window displays the contents of a drive or folder in different ways to help you find the information you are looking for about a file or folder. The available views on the View tab of an Explorer window include Extra Large, Large, Medium and Small Icons, List, Details, Tiles, and Content.

Icons view displays icons in different sizes (Extra Large, Large, Medium, and Small), sorted alphabetically in horizontal rows with the name of the file or folder below each icon. When you view files using one of the Icon views, Live icons—thumbnails—display the first page of documents, the image of a photo, or the album art for individual songs, making it easier to find exactly what you are looking for.

List view displays small icons, sorted alphabetically into vertical columns with the name of the file or folder next to each icon.

Details view displays small icons, sorted alphabetically in a vertical column with the name of the file or folder and additional information, such as file size, type, and date, in columns to the right.

Tiles view displays icons, sorted alphabetically into vertical columns, with information about the file next to each icon.

Content view displays medium icons in a vertical column with date modified information.

Switching Between Views

You use the Layout options on the View tab in an Explorer window to quickly switch between window views. When you point to a Layout option—such as Extra large icon, Large icon, Medium icons, Small icons, List, Details, Tiles or Content—on the View tab, File Explorer displays a live preview (New!) of the option change so that you can see exactly what your change will look like before committing to it. You can also quickly change between Details and the current icons view by using the Details View and Icons View buttons on the Status bar (New!).

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