Customizing the File Explorer Details pane is one of the best ways to enhance your workflow, especially when managing your local files and folders. This section of File Explorer shows you key data about a specific file but may not provide every single detail you need by default. If you want to see particular file properties that are not usually shown on the Details pane, this article is for you.
You may skip to How to show details in File Explorer if needed, or just keep reading to learn how to modify the File Explorer view to display details in the content pane of Windows 10 devices via the Registry Editor.
How to customize the preview details via Registry Editor
If you want to modify the fields shown for specific file types when you open File Explorer in Windows, customize the Details pane using the Registry Editor. The Registry Editor will let you directly manipulate how Windows behaves at a system level, such as what metadata fields it shows in the Details pane. Note that you need to sign in with an Administrator account to do this.
⚠️ Editing the registry is an advanced process that can lead to serious system issues if done incorrectly. If you’re new to the Registry Editor, it is recommended to back up the registry or create a restore point before you make any changes.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
To open the Registry Editor, first, open Run by pressing Windows key + R or finding it in the Start menu. Then, in Run, type “regedit” and hit Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the key of your desired file type
On the left pane of the Registry Editor, follow this path:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\[.file extension]
Replace [.file extension] with the file type you want to customize. For example, you can choose .jpg for images, .docx for Word documents, or .mp3 for music files. To make this easier, consider enabling Windows to display the file name extension of the items in File Explorer, so you can quickly find the file extension you need.
Step 3: Modify the PreviewDetails entry
You must now set up the PreviewDetails entry to specify what data fields should appear in the Details pane.
- Find and double-click PreviewDetails on the right pane of the key of your chosen file type.
- Enter the metadata properties you want to display under Value data in the Edit String dialog box. A semicolon must separate each metadata property. Here’s an example value that will display the title, author, file size, and last modified date on the Details pane:
prop:System.Title;System.Author;System.Size;System.DateModified
Refer to the Common Metadata Properties section below for a list of some properties you can include in the PreviewDetails key.
Note: If PreviewDetails doesn’t exist, you can create it. To do this, right-click on the key of your chosen file type, hover over New, select String Value, and name it “PreviewDetails.”
- Click OK to apply the changes.
Step 4: Restart File Explorer
Close and reopen File Explorer for the changes to take effect.
What is the Details pane?
The Details pane is a sidebar in Windows File Explorer that displays properties (metadata) about the selected file. When enabled, it appears on the right-hand side of the File Explorer, allowing users to review specific properties with just one click. The metadata that can be found in this pane varies by file type, so it may include information on file size, dimensions, date modified, author, etc.
How to show details in File Explorer
The Details pane is not enabled by default in Windows 10, so you might not see it immediately. To enable this pane, follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer. To do so, press Windows key + E, click the File Explorer icon in the taskbar, or search for it in the Start menu.
- To enable it, press Alt + Shift + P or click the View tab in the ribbon and select the Details pane option.
The Details pane should appear on the right side of the window. When you select a file or folder, it will show various file data.
Why customize the Windows 10 File Explorer Details pane?
When customizing the Details pane in File Explorer, you can ensure you only see the most relevant file information for your workflow. You can remove the appearance of details you don’t need and add certain metadata fields that don’t automatically show when you enable the sidebar. This ability can enhance your productivity for media management, documentation, or creative projects by immediately making the right information available and eliminating unnecessary data from view.
Common metadata properties
There are so many metadata properties that you can include in the PreviewDetails entry, but here are some of the most common ones that you may need:
| Property key: | Description: |
| System.Title | File title |
| System.Author | Author/Creator |
| System. Size | File size |
| System.DateModified | Last modified date |
| System.Image.Dimension | Image dimensions (e.g., JPG) |
| System.Music.Artist | Artist name (for music files) |
| System.Comment | File comments/notes |
You can find more property keys for various file types in Microsoft’s official Windows Properties documentation. If you’re unsure what property keys will apply to your desired file type, you can use PowerShell to see a detailed list of metadata that Windows can read. You just have to run this cmdlet:
Get-ItemProperty “[path to your file]” | Format-List
How to reset to the default details
If you want to reset the information fields after modifying a file extension key in the Registry Editor, follow these steps:
- Open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the key of your desired file type.
- Delete the PreviewDetails string value or restore the default metadata fields that were present before you modified them.
- Close and reopen the File Explorer to apply the changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I customize the details pane for folders?
No, the method discussed only applies to individual file types. While folders have attributes like size, date modified, and number of items, Windows does not expose a PreviewDetails registry setting that you can edit for folder types.
Will the changes apply system-wide?
Yes, your registry modifications under each file type’s PreviewDetails will apply to all system users. Anyone logging into the same Windows installation will see the same customized metadata preview in the File Explorer Details pane.
Can I preview custom file types?
Windows only shows metadata for supported file types with registered property handlers (programs that extract and manage file properties). Custom or uncommon file types will have metadata previews if: 1. Windows already includes a PropertyHandler for the file type; 2. You register a handler DLL in the registry to instruct Windows how to extract the metadata; or 3. You install third-party codecs or preview handlers.
How do I know what properties are supported for a file type?
You can run the Get-ItemProperty cmdlet in PowerShell to inspect the available metadata fields that Windows can read for a specific file. From there, you should reference the official Windows Properties documentation on the Microsoft website to find the exact property key to enter under PreviewDetails in the Registry Editor.
Troubleshooting common issues
Issue: Details pane is not showing the updated fields
If you don’t see the updated fields in the Details pane after editing the registry, it may be that the file extension you selected is not supported. To check if it is, right-click on the file, click “Open with,” and see if any programs can open it. If you haven’t already done so, restart File Explorer or reboot your PC to apply the changes.
Issue: PreviewDetails key has no effect
Modifying the PreviewDetails key will not work if the file is blocked or corrupted, so ensure it isn’t. You should also check if the property keys you used are valid and supported for the file type. Check the official Windows Properties documentation to see valid property keys that you can use.
Issue: Accidentally removed important values
Removing important registry values may cause serious system issues, so you must undo the action by restoring the registry from a backup or manually resetting the key you removed.
Making the most of your customized File Explorer Details pane
The Details pane in File Explorer offers quick metadata access for your selected files. However, it may not show all the information you want, so you can customize it to display additional data fields that you find useful using the Registry Editor. Doing this benefits users who manage media files, documents, and creative workflows. Always back up your registry before making modifications, and validate the property keys you’ll use correctly for best results.
