[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "steps%20to%20ensuring%20all%20files%20within%20folders%20on%20windows%2011%20are%20in%20a%20list%20view%2C%20using%20jaws"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are step-by-step instructions (with JAWS screen reader tips) to make **all** folders in Windows 11 display in the *List* view style by default. If you follow these steps carefully, new and existing folders should use List view, and you won\u2019t have to switch manually each time.\n\n---\n\n## What \u201cList\u201d view means\n\n- \u201cList view\u201d shows all files/folders in a compact, one-column list, without large icons or thumbnails.  \n- In Windows 11, there are several view modes (Extra large, Large, Medium, Small icons; List; Details; Tiles; Content). \u201cList\u201d is one of them. ([img.webnots.com](https://img.webnots.com/2025/07/Keyboard-Shortcuts-for-File-Explorer-in-Windows-11.pdf?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Step-by-step: Setting List view for the current folder\n\n1. Open **File Explorer** (press Windows key + E).  \n2. Navigate to a folder whose view you want to change.  \n3. Once in the folder, press `Ctrl + Shift + 5`. This shortcut switches the view to *List*. ([webnots.com](https://www.webnots.com/keyboard-shortcuts-for-file-explorer-in-windows-11/?utm_source=openai))  \n4. Alternatively: Press `Alt + V` to open the View menu, then press `L` to select *List*. ([paths.annkissamprojects.com](https://paths.annkissamprojects.com/sites/pathstoliteracy.perkinsdev1.org/files/JAWS_Lessons.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\nYou should now hear JAWS announce \u201cList view\u201d (or something equivalent), and the files/folders will be laid out in a list.\n\n---\n\n## Step-by-step: Applying List view to **all** folders of the same type\n\nWindows groups folders into \u201ctypes\u201d based on content, e.g. \u201cGeneral items\u201d, \u201cDocuments\u201d, \u201cPictures\u201d, etc. When you apply a view setting, it applies to *all folders* of that same type\u2014not necessarily *every* folder, unless you've set them all to the same type. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/15ecim3?utm_source=openai))\n\nTo set List view for all folders of the same type:\n\n1. With any folder open and in **List** view, press `Alt + F` to open the File menu, then `O` to open **Folder Options**. (If that doesn't work, you can also go via the View tab of File Explorer \u2192 \u201cOptions\u201d.)  \n2. In the **Folder Options** dialog, go to the **View** tab.  \n3. Select **\u201cApply to Folders\u201d**. This will make all folders of the same type use the read view settings (including List view).  \n4. Confirm when prompted. Then click **OK** or **Apply** to save. ([elevenforum.com](https://www.elevenforum.com/t/all-folders-are-not-in-list-view-how-do-i-fix-this.43894/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Step-by-step: Making *all* folders use List view (of all types)\n\nIf you want *every* folder to use List view regardless of its type:\n\n1. **Make every folder type \u201cGeneral Items\u201d**.  \n   - Right-click a folder \u2192 **Properties** \u2192 **Customize** tab.  \n   - Under \u201cOptimize this folder for\u201d, select **General Items**.  \n   - Check **\u201cAlso apply this template to all subfolders\u201d**.  \n   - Click OK. Note: this template change sometimes doesn\u2019t cascade perfectly across subfolders in newer versions of Windows 11. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1otbous/windows_11_customize_folder_settings_not/?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. After doing that, open one of those folders, switch to **List** view (using Ctrl + Shift + 5 or Alt + V \u2192 L).  \n\n3. Then go to **Folder Options \u2192 View \u2192 Apply to Folders**. That sets List view for all \u201cGeneral Items\u201d folders. Since you converted most or all folders to \u201cGeneral Items,\u201d this should catch most.\n\n---\n\n## JAWS-specific tips\n\n- With JAWS, after switching view, press `F6` to cycle through elements: it\u2019ll read the **content pane** once focus moves there, which lets you verify the view. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-a-screen-reader-to-explore-and-navigate-file-explorer-in-windows-e7d3a548-87dd-459f-a991-9fde3f7ce927?utm_source=openai))  \n- Use arrow keys (Up/Down) to navigate the list; each item in the list should be announced individually. If instead you hear \u201cimage thumbnail\u201d or \u201clarge icon\u201d, the view isn\u2019t List. ([sightforsurrey.org.uk](https://sightforsurrey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2-Navigating-Folders-and-Files.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Possible limitations & workarounds\n\n- The \u201cApply to Folders\u201d affects only folders *of the same type*. For example, a \u201cPictures\u201d-type folder won\u2019t be changed when you apply settings in a \u201cDocuments\u201d folder. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/15ecim3?utm_source=openai))  \n- The option **\u201cAlso apply this template to all subfolders\u201d** often doesn\u2019t work as expected on newer Windows 11 versions. Some subfolders may stay on their old type. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1otbous/windows_11_customize_folder_settings_not/?utm_source=openai))  \n- If you frequently open **Save/Open file dialogs**, those may retain their own view settings and aren\u2019t always affected by \u201cApply to Folders\u201d. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1ibvb0p?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## If \u201cApply to Folders\u201d doesn\u2019t solve it globally\n\nIf you still find folders not in List view:\n\n- Use the free tool **WinSetView**: it allows you to force view settings globally (list, details, etc.), apply it to all folder types, and set global column headers. ([winsetview.en.softonic.com](https://winsetview.en.softonic.com/?utm_source=openai))  \n- Edit registry to force all folders to be of type \u201cGeneric\u201d (or \u201cNotSpecified\u201d). That way \u201cApply to Folders\u201d on General Items covers more. Note: editing registry can have system-wide effects; proceed with caution or get assistance. ([elevenforum.com](https://www.elevenforum.com/t/all-folders-are-not-in-list-view-how-do-i-fix-this.43894/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can also send you a script or registry file that forces *every* folder\u2014including system and subfolders\u2014to *always* be in List view, for JAWS users. Do you want me to prepare that for you?"
    }
]