The folder settings are stored in the Windows Registry and ShellBagsView from Nirsoft provides the means of displaying all of them. The software program is the usual Nirsoft program meaning it is fully portable, runs on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista and supports several command line parameters.

One reason why it might be good to run the program from time to time is to check if hidden folders are listed in the Registry. Those settings could hint at encrypted partitions or hidden folders on the system which is probably not desired.

The findings can be exported in html reports. There is unfortunately no way of deleting the entries. Another interesting finding is that Windows saves new directory information in the Registry even if the option “Remember Each Folder’s View Settings” is unchecked. If anyone knows a way around this, so that no information of that kind are stored in the Registry let me know.

Related posts

• Windows Explorer: Quickly Jump To Files (5)
• Windows Explorer Tip: Show In Groups (4)
• Windows Explorer File Extension Column (8)
• Prevent applications from stealing focus (1)
• Monitor Software Registry Changes (1)