How to set the default size and layout of all Windows Explorer windows.

First, right click on your desktop and choose New / Folder.

Next, double click the new folder and drag it out or in to your preferred size. You can also set other properties of the window you want to be the default at this point. For instance, I like by default window view to be details view grouped by the type of item. The folder is empty so you will not see any sorting or grouping, but it will be saved.

Close the window and open the registry editor, type regedit.exe in the quick search bar of the start menu.

Important, The next steps involve editing your registry. The standard disclaimer applies. You can cause serious problems if you are not careful in the registry. Follow these steps though and your computer will survive.

Navigate back to the registry key:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\.

You should see a single numbered key under the Bags key. That key represents the settings for the folder you just closed. Open the ‘Shell’ key beneath it and you should see another key with a guid name such as ‘{5C4F28B5-F869-4E84-8E60-F11DB97C5CC7}’. The numbers may be different on your system.