Feature: add a toggle called "apply layout to subfolders

[MITSIKU]

What feature or improvement do you think would benefit Files?

so just like the name suggests when setting a layout for a folder add a toggle that would apply the same configuration to all sub-folders. this saves a lot of time when wanting to set the same layout for a lot of folders

Requirements

-add toggle button called "apply to sub-folders"
-make it apply the same layout to all subfolders

Files Version

4.0.18.0

Windows Version

Edition Windows 11 Pro Version 24H2 Installed on ‎30/‎07/‎2025 OS build 26120.6982 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.266.0

Comments

so a example for my use case i have a network drive filled with pictures and is structured like this

album/sub-album/picture.png

now, i have a shit ton of sub-albums. my default layout is "details" but i specifically want to have all the sub-albums to be in "grid" layout. going one by one to save the layout will take ages, so i would do something like this.

go to the album drive, save the layout as grid and toggle "apply to sub-folders". now every album and sub-album folder gets the "grid" layout. now but sins i want only the sub-album to change i will go back and edit the album folder to be "details" layout but this time un select the "apply to all sub-folders toggle" now all my sub-album have grid and my album is details.

[mdtauk]

There would be a conflict between the setting for using the layout for all folders, as well as the auto layout based on content.

So some care would need to be made with this idea.

If all layouts use a single layout, or all folders use auto layout, this option should be hidden.

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For other cases, this should probably be presented as a button or menu item. "Use the current layout for subfolders"

As a button this performs an action that sets the default/chosen view for when in those folders, and allows you to override as it doesn't have to maintain a sync, or cause recursion issues.

Just a thought

[MITSIKU]

There would be a conflict between the setting for using the layout for all folders, as well as the auto layout based on content.

So some care would need to be made with this idea.

If all layouts use a single layout, or all folders use auto layout, this option should be hidden.

For other cases, this should probably be presented as a button or menu item. "Use the current layout for subfolders"

As a button this performs an action that sets the default/chosen view for when in those folders, and allows you to override as it doesn't have to maintain a sync, or cause recursion issues.

Just a thought

yes i was thinking the same, there would be conflict of settings so i was thinking exactly the same with making it hidden or have it grayed out if "use single layout" or "auto layout" was enabled.

i personalty don't like the use single layout as i use custom icons and layouts for a lot of different situations like my main c drive and its sub folder use the "grid" layout but for everything els i use "details" layout

[yaira2]

Thank you for your feedback, we're currently tracking this in #5564.