How to Change How File Explorer Looks
In today’s digital age, the file explorer is an essential tool for navigating and managing our computer’s files and folders. However, the default appearance of the file explorer may not always suit our preferences or needs. Whether you’re looking to enhance your productivity or simply make your computer more visually appealing, changing how the file explorer looks can be a great way to customize your experience. In this article, we’ll explore various methods to modify the appearance of the file explorer in Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
Windows File Explorer Customization
1. Change the Theme: Windows allows you to change the theme of the file explorer to match your taste. To do this, navigate to “File Explorer Options” by right-clicking on the file explorer icon in the taskbar and selecting “Properties.” Then, go to the “Themes” tab and choose from a variety of predefined themes or create a custom one.
2. Use Third-Party Themes: If the built-in themes don’t meet your requirements, you can download third-party themes from the internet. These themes often offer more customization options and unique designs.
3. Customize the Folder Icon: To change the icon of a specific folder, right-click on the folder, select “Properties,” and then go to the “Customize” tab. Here, you can choose a new icon from the available options or upload a custom icon.
4. Show or Hide Folders: You can control which folders are displayed in the file explorer by right-clicking on the taskbar, selecting “File Explorer Options,” and then going to the “View” tab. Here, you can check or uncheck the boxes next to the folders you want to show or hide.
macOS Finder Customization
1. Change the Sidebar: The sidebar in macOS Finder can be customized to display only the folders and files you need. To do this, click on the “View” menu, select “Show Sidebar,” and then click and drag the folders you want to appear in the sidebar.
2. Customize the Icon Set: You can change the icon set used by Finder to display files and folders. To do this, open the Terminal app and enter the following command: `defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES`. This will change the icon set to use the icon of the file type instead of the generic icon.
3. Change the Appearance: To change the overall appearance of Finder, go to “System Preferences” > “General” and select your preferred theme and icon size.
Linux File Manager Customization
1. Use Different File Managers: Linux offers a variety of file managers, such as Nautilus, Thunar, and Nemo. You can choose a file manager that suits your preferences and customize its appearance accordingly.
2. Customize the Theme: Most file managers allow you to change the theme to match your taste. You can either download a third-party theme or create a custom one.
3. Show or Hide Files: To control which files and folders are displayed in the file manager, go to the settings and adjust the visibility options.
In conclusion, changing how the file explorer looks can be a fun and rewarding way to customize your computer’s interface. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can easily modify the appearance of the file explorer in Windows, macOS, and Linux to suit your preferences and needs.
