TUTORIAL: How to Move / Show Details Pane At Top in Windows Vista Explorer

[Vishal Gupta]

In Longhorn the "Details Pane" was shown at Top but now in Windows Vista its shown on bottom. Many ppl still like the good old top details pane like shown in my following theme:

New AeroVG Theme for Windows Vista

So here I'm posting a detailed tutorial for changing the "Details Pane" location from Bottom to Top in Windows Vista:

1. We'll have to edit "%windir%\System32\Shell32.dll" file. So first take ownership of this file using my following tutorial:

Add Take Ownership Option in File / Folder Context Menu in Windows Vista

2. Now open the file in Resource Hacker.

3. Goto "View -> Find Text" (or press Ctrl + F). It'll open Find box.

4. Now type following String in textbox:

layoutpos="bottom"

5. Click on "Find Next" button and it'll show the line containing this text.

6. You have to just replace "bottom" word with "top".

7. When you have done, click on "Compile Script" button.

8. Now press "F3" key and it'll show the next line containing the same text. Again do the same mentioned in 6th step.

9. Remember! You have to replace “bottom” word with “top” only in following locations:

3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20, 21

Thats it. You have done. Now save the file and restart your system to take affect.

Edited February 19, 2008 by Vishal Gupta