How to show app version and other properties in details pane of Explorer

When you select a file in File Explorer, it shows some properties in the Details pane like date, size and offline availability. When a program EXE or DLL is selected, it shows some other info. In Windows XP, the Details pane contained more useful information like the app's version. In this article, we will see how to make the Details pane of Explorer in modern versions of Windows show more useful information and how it can be customized.

Everything described below will work in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10. Here's how you can customize the properties shown there.

For every registered file type in Windows, the information which is displayed in the Details pane can be specified in the Registry. Using a simple Registry tweak, it is possible to customize the information there and add/remove desired entries. Here is how.

Before you proceed, select some executable file in File Explorer.

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Go to the following path:

   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile

   Tip: See how to jump to the desired Registry key with one click.

3. Create here a new string value and name it PreviewDetails. Set its value data to the following value (you can copy this and paste it into the PreviewDetails value's data):

   prop:System.FileVersion;System.Size;System.Kind;prop:System.Copyright;System.FileAttributes;System.SharingStatus;System.DateCreated;System.DateModified

   See the following screenshot:

Now press F5 in File Explorer and select the same exe file. The result will be as follows:

As you can see, the Details pane now shows a lot more useful information like version, sharing status and file attributes!

The prop:System.* values are a part of system metadata, which is fully described on MSDN. It is a very long list. After you read it, you can define which properties exactly you would like to see for the Details pane on a per file type basis!

Here you can download Registry files to try this trick in your operating system without Registry editing. The undo tweak is included:

Download registry files to show more details for binary files (EXE, DLL)

The same tweak can be done for any file type! You can customize details for media files like MP3 or WMA, JPG, or even AVI and MP4. If you install more Property Handlers like Icaros, you can add more details to be shown. Now you know what to do. If you have any questions - welcome to comments.

Support us

Winaero greatly relies on your support. You can help the site keep bringing you interesting and useful content and software by using these options: