way to make windows 7 folders look like windows xp style?

**chal7ds** · March 9th, 2012, 06:22 PM

Hi,

Just upgraded from Windows XP Pro to Windows 7 Home Premium and I really don't like the way the folders are set up (where it shows like an upstanding folder with multiple docs in it). Is there a way to make the folders look like xp's style was & also i noticed home edition doesn't allow you to drag the items in any given folder & situate them where you want them. If you move something, it snaps it back to its position. Is there a way to change this so they are free floating and you can place them where you want in the space of the folder?

**Whir** · March 9th, 2012, 06:25 PM

I don't really understand what you mean, but there are options for changing folder display styles at the top right of each folder.

**chal7ds** · March 9th, 2012, 06:30 PM

Yeah, but those options on the top right still keep the folders stuck in that 'upright position' with multiple documents. I just want regular flat-faced folders to where I can just view one picture showing on each one (like XP did)...is possible?

**Whir** · March 9th, 2012, 06:36 PM

Ah, I see what you mean now. Unfortunately I don't know how to do what you want to do.

Maybe something like this would work for you? Classic Shell | Free software downloads at SourceForge.net

**ShyguyXPC** · March 9th, 2012, 06:39 PM

I think he means like these (attached pic)

XP had the single "closed" folder with a Thumbnail in it, where as 7 has an opened/paged type folder with multiple paged thumbnails.

I tried all the settings I could find and also couldn't get it to change.

**chal7ds** · March 9th, 2012, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by ShyguyXPC

XP had the single "closed" folder with a Thumbnail in it, where as 7 has an opened/paged type folder with multiple paged thumbnails.

Thats exactly what I mean. Well, I tried that classic shell app & when i switch the settings to classic or simple windows, it doesn't seem to change the folders so unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's gonna work

oh well, thanks for tryin' guys

**chal7ds** · March 9th, 2012, 08:28 PM

Any reason why Windows 7 won't let you move the folders around where you want them? Try it. Physically grab one (if you have 7) and move the folder to a spot somewhere else (like in front of another folder or behind one) and it snaps back to where it was. In XP, you could move anything to where you wanted it.

any idea on changing this somehow??

**RicheemxX** · March 9th, 2012, 09:38 PM

I'm not sure you are explaining what you mean very well, but with W7 folders always snap to a grid of some sort and AFAIK that is not something you can change. You can change how they are sorted, just right click and hit "sort by". You won't get "free floating" files or folders to move around wherever but it will let you choose a few different options.

Here's a quick wiki that might point out some of the other differences List of features removed in Windows 7 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**pcunite** · March 10th, 2012, 10:31 AM

Another recommendation for ClassicShell here ... I use it to give me the UP button. I've been pretty happy with the other changes Windows 7 made, well except for search. I use FileSearchEX for finding files and stuff.

**chal7ds** · March 10th, 2012, 10:35 AM

Classic Shell doesn't let you free float the files does it? At least not when I installed it (unless I missed an option for that, but I didn't see that there was one). Also, ClassicShell doesn't give the folders that 'flat-faced' look either.