I like to view my files as a List in Windows XP. But when I save one of my movies, the SAVE TO window switches to Thumbnail View when I expected it to be List view. I can change the folder setting to the List View but once I try saving another file, it is back to Thumbnail View again. Has anyone seen this this problem? I found an old post but the response does not correct the issue. Thanks in advance! Cartman

G'day Cartman, believe or not, I only recently made 'List' the default after getting very tired of thumbnails. I did this by using a Resource Editor [Exescope] on the Shell32.dll file by finding that menu and checking the 'List' menuitem to Default [3 locations] and bingo, no more thumbnail view when I'm about to save an image. I can erase the Thumbs.db as well but that's another story. Of course there may be an easier and safer way to change it [registry tweak perhaps] but I like to go to the root of a system file boots'n'all to change things. If ya need more info.....

Sounds promising. Can you explain in more detail? I got the program but it opened shell32.dll in read only mode. Even if I could write to the file, I'm not sure what to do? Thanks!

First up you must edit a copy of the file as the file is in use and cannot be edited in that state [hence the Read Only warning]. Save a copy of the original to a safe place as well before doing anything. Undo the Read Only attrib if applied. Second, you must be able to copy the modified file back via dos mode with the file on a floppy or from wherever you choose [C:\ is the easiest path]. Also Exescope doesn't like a broken path to work from , C;| is a nice place to work from as well. Okay, here we go... Open the file in Exescope and select [expand] Resource then Menu, expand and scroll down the numbers to 215, highlight 28715,&List and check the Default box above in the grey area. Then do the same for 216 and 217 menu resources. OK the Confirm box when required to save the changes. This will happen after every change. These menus are one for Explorer's View menu, one for Folders and one for your Browser and general Open/Save boxes although I haven't actually tried to find out which is which. The Thumbnails is not checked by default but maybe checked somewhere in the file's code so if you are wondering don't worry about it. I've been singing the praises of Resource Editors here for over 7 years but I don't know how many people have taken it on, oh well, good luck and any problems I'll be around.

My filesystem is NTFS. Will I be able to access the drive from a floppy?

HAHA. SO i did exactly what you said. I was able to replace file from starting with command prompt. Now the default is LIST but it visually stays as THUMBNAILS. I know I did it exactly as you said but maybe I should put the original file back unless you have a suggestion

I also deleted the 'My Pictures' and 'My Videos" folders as I new use them, that may have something to do with it. But if you feel putting back the original would be safer then do it. So far I'm still in List view but also I'm using SP1 although that may not mean anything either. Anyway it was worth a try. There could also be a Registry tweak somewhere that could do what you want as well. Catch ya.