Windows Changing Folder Views
Windows has folders in which there can be pictures, documents, audio files, and even copies of programs that can be installed. The "view" of a folder can be a list that goes down the screen, or icons which are shown in columns and rows. One example of a folder that has columns and rows is the "Pictures" folder. It is arranged by icons that show small "thumbnail" pictures, making it easy for the person with sight to select a specific picture. Using a screen reader in a folder with columns and rows of icons is manageable with the arrow keys, but not efficient. You can change the "view" of all folders in the Windows "Folder Options" in the Control Panel, or you can change the "view" for a specific folder. If you are the only person using the computer, it is easier to change the "view" of all of the folders. If you are sharing the computer, without a personal login, with family members, it is better to change the view for a specific folder, and then change it back to a "view" other family members want. Following are methods for changing folder views in Windows. Each method has a heading, therefore, you can hit the letter h to move from heading to heading, or Shift h to go backwards through the headings. There is an audio demonstration (MP3 format) link. Hit Enter on this link to listen to, or to download the file to put on another device. When you are finished move to the link at the bottom of this page titled "BACK" to go to the "Simple Windows Lessons" web page.
1. Hit the Windows key one time.
2. Type "Folder View" (without the quotes).
3. Hit the Tab key one time.
4. Down arrow through the list of items. There is a checkbox beside each item for you to hit the Spacebar to check or uncheck. If you accidentally check an item and want it unchecked, hit the Spacebar a second time.
5. Hit the Tab key until you hear the button titled "Apply."
6. Hit the Spacebar one time.
7. Hit the Tab key until you hear the button titled "OK."
8. Hit the Spacebar one time and your settings are saved.
1. Hit the Windows key to move from the "Metro" view to the Windows 8 Desktop.
2. Press and hold down the Windows key and hit the letter e to move to Windows File Explorer.
3. At the top of the opening folder is a ribbon with two tabs. The first tab is titled "Computer," and the second tab is titled "View."
4. Hit the Alt key one time.
5. Right arrow to the "View" tab of the ribbon.
6. Down arrow one time.
7. Hit the Tab key again-and-again until you are on the "Options" item.
8. Hit the Enter key one time. You may go straight into the box for changing the options, or a menu item titled "Change folder and search options" may appear. Hit the Enter key one time on this menu item. A "Folder Options" window will pop up.
9. Press and hold down the Shift key and hit the Tab key one time to move to the first of three tabs on the "Folder Options" windows.
10. Right arrow one time to the "View" tab.
11. Hit the Tab key one time to move down to the list of items with check boxes.
12. Down arrow through the items and hit the Spacebar to either check or uncheck any of the check boxes.
13. Hit the Tab key again-and-again until you reach the "Apply" button.
14. Hit the Spacebar one time.
15. Hit the Tab key again-and-again to reach the "OK" button.
16. Hit the Spacebar one time and your folder view choices are saved.
1. Press and hold down the Windows key and hit the letter e to bring up Windows File Explorer.
2. Shift Tab until you reach the "Tree View."
3. Up arrow to one of the "Libraries" items such as "Documents, Pictures, Music, or Videos."
4. Hit the Enter key one time on the item you have moved to in "3" above.
5. Hit the Tab key until you get to "List View."
6. Press and hold down the Alt key and hit the letter v to bring up the "View" menu.
7. Down arrow through the menu items. If you hit enter on "List" all of the items in the folder will be listed by name, going down the menu screen. If you hit Enter on "Details" all of the items in the folder will be listed along with the date and time of their creation, and their size.
8. The setting you just selected in the "View" menu only applies to the folder you are in--no other folders were changed in regard to their view.
Audio Demonstration for Changing the Folder View Link