Clever Clogs tip # 741
1 May 2024


Display the name of the person who created a file (File Explorer) *

Welcome to the tip of the month May! I still have to get used to the fact that – since 2023 – I only write these tips monthly, rather than weekly. Instead, I regularly share hints and tips and shortcuts on LinkedIn, so if you are not following #CleverClogsTipTime you might be missing out! Or why not connect?!

By the way, I realise that as soon as I hit CTRL + ENTER I will get lots of out of office messages as the 1st of May is a national public holiday in many countries. Here in the UK we always get a bank holiday on the first Monday in May, so I'm working and here's the tip on the first day of the month – as normal.

It's about displaying the name of the person who saved a file, as well as applying that setting to all subfolders.

By default, File Explorer only provides details about a document's Name, Date modified, Type and Size.

But if you share files with your colleagues it can be helpful to see the name of the person who created the file. In the past I've written tips about how to do this in Windows 7 and 10, but I noticed that the step to make it the same in all folders is a bit different in Windows 11, so time for an update.

Here's how:

  1. Open File Explorer. (WIN + E, anyone?)
  2. Navigate to the folder where you want to change the setting.
  3. Right-click one of the column headings, such as Date modified.
  4. Select Authors from the drop-down list.
  5. If you want, repeat the process and unselect any of the less helpful columns, such as Size.
  6. To apply this setting to all sub-folders, click on the three dots and select Options.


    7. NOTE: If you are still using Windows 10, select the File tab and click on Change folder and search options.
  7. Open the View tab.
  8. Click on Apply to Folders.
  9. When prompted click Yes.
  10. Click OK.
You can now easily sort all files by author, in alphabetical order, by clicking on the relevant column heading. You can also filter by Author by clicking on the drop-down arrow that appears when you point to the column.

That's it. Enjoy the traditional May Day rites and celebrations – if any!

Related tips

Set the name of the person who created a file to be displayed in all folders (Windows 10) - tip_602.php

Last month's CleverClogsTipTime on LinkedIn (newest posts first)

  1. Set more than three time zones in the new Outlook
  2. No, you're not doing the organiser a favour!
  3. New hybrid work settings in new Outlook
  4. Do you know this Delete trick?
  5. Save declined events in new Outlook
  6. Would you miss the feature to right-click to switch from one Outlook signature to another?
  7. Do you really want your Windows 11 Taskbar in the centre?


* Unless stated otherwise this tip is written for Microsoft 365 desktop apps and Windows 11 users, but might also be useful in Office 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019.