Add Columns Folders Windows 10 File Explorer
To add columns to folders in Windows 10 File Explorer, open the folder, right-click on any column header (like Name or Date modified), and check the columns you want to display. You can also click “More…” to choose from dozens of additional properties, such as Dimensions, Tags, or Title.
Background: Why Columns Matter in File Explorer
File Explorer’s default view shows only a handful of details: Name, Date modified, Type, and Size. For many tasks, that’s enough. But when you’re managing a photo library, a music collection, or a folder full of invoices, those four columns force you to open each file to find what you need. Columns let you scan, sort, and compare files at a glance without opening them. Windows 10 has supported customizable columns for decades, but the feature is hidden behind a right-click, so most users never discover it.
How to Add Columns Step by Step
- Open the folder whose columns you want to change in File Explorer.
- Switch to a detailed view if you aren’t already in one: click the View tab at the top, then select Details (or press Ctrl+Shift+6). Columns only appear in Details view.
- Right-click anywhere on the column header row (the gray bar with “Name”, “Date modified”, etc.).
- In the dropdown menu, you’ll see a list of common columns with checkmarks next to the ones currently shown. Click any unchecked item to add it, or click a checked item to remove it.
- For more options, click More… at the bottom of that menu. A new window opens with a long list of available properties.
- Select a property from the left list and click Add to move it to the right list, then click OK. The column appears immediately.
How to Choose Which Columns to Add
The right columns depend on what you’re organizing. For photos, add Dimensions, Camera model, and Date taken. For music, add Artists, Album, and Bit rate. For documents, Authors, Tags, and Title are often useful. To change the order of columns, simply click and drag a column header left or right. To sort by a column, click its header; click again to reverse the order. You can also group files by a column: right-click the header, select Group by, and pick a property like Type or Size.
Common Problems and Fixes
Problem: The “More…” list doesn’t show the field I need. Some properties are only available for certain file types. For example, Camera model only appears for image files that store EXIF data. If you don’t see a property, it may not be stored in any file in that folder.
Problem: My custom columns disappear after I close the folder. Windows 10 usually remembers your column layout per folder, but it can forget if the folder is in a library or if you’ve changed views often. To force it to remember, click View > Options > Change folder and search options, go to the View tab, and click Apply to Folders. This applies the current view to all folders of the same template (e.g., General Items, Pictures, Music).
Problem: Columns are too narrow or too wide. Double-click the line between two column headers to auto-fit that column to its content. Or drag the boundary manually.
Comparisons: Details View vs. Other View Modes
Columns only work in Details view. Other views—Large icons, List, Tiles, Content—show different amounts of metadata. Content view (View tab > Content) shows a small thumbnail, the file name, and a few key properties like size and date, but you can’t customize which ones. Tiles view shows a larger thumbnail with the file type and size, but again no customization. If you need full control over which properties appear, Details view is the only option.
Safety and Limits: What Columns Can and Cannot Do
Adding columns never changes the files themselves—it only changes how File Explorer displays them. You can safely add, remove, or reorder columns without any risk to your data. However, note that columns read metadata embedded in the files. If a file lacks that metadata (e.g., a plain text file has no “Author” property), the column will show a blank or “
Alternatives: Using Search and Grouping Instead
If you find yourself constantly needing different columns for different tasks, consider using File Explorer’s search and grouping features instead. You can type kind:image in the search box to filter files, or dateModified:last week to narrow by date. Grouping (right-click header > Group by) lets you organize files into collapsible sections without adding columns—useful when you want to see all files of a certain type together. For power users, third-party file managers like Directory Opus or XYplorer offer much deeper column customization, but they cost money and have a learning curve. For most people, the built-in column options are sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a column for file size in Windows 10?
Right-click the column header, and check Size if it’s not already visible. It’s usually shown by default. If not, click More…, select Size from the list, and click Add.
Can I add columns to all folders at once?
Yes. Set up the columns you want in one folder, then go to View tab > Options > Change folder and search options > View tab > Apply to Folders. This applies the current view to all folders of the same template type. To apply to all templates, you’d need to repeat this for each template (General, Pictures, Music, etc.).
Why can’t I see the “Date taken” column for my photos?
“Date taken” is only available if the photo files contain EXIF metadata. Most photos from digital cameras and smartphones include this, but screenshots or images downloaded from the web may not. If the column is missing from the list, make sure you’re in a folder that Windows recognizes as a Pictures folder (you can change the template via Folder Properties > Customize tab).
How do I remove a column I added by mistake?
Right-click the column header and uncheck the column name in the dropdown menu. It will disappear immediately. You can also click More…, select the column in the right list, and click Remove.
Do custom columns work in Windows 11?
Windows 11’s File Explorer has a similar feature, but the interface is slightly different. Right-click the column header and choose “More…” to add columns. The process is nearly identical, though some options may be under a different menu. The steps in this article apply to Windows 10 specifically.
Can I save different column layouts for different folders?
Yes, Windows 10 remembers column layouts per folder automatically, as long as you don’t change the folder template. If you want different layouts for different folders, just set them up individually—they’ll persist. If they don’t, use “Apply to Folders” to force a specific layout for a template, but note that this overrides all folders of that template.
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