---
title: "FolderType NotSpecified: stop File Explorer from slowly scanning large folders"
description: "File Explorer looks at the files in a folder to choose a view template (pictures, music, documents). What it changes, when it hurts, and how to undo it."
url: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-folder-type-discovery
author: Frost LIVE, Founder of Frozen Tweaks
published: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-08
category: "Windows"
source: Frozen Tweaks (https://frozentweaks.com)
---

# FolderType NotSpecified: stop File Explorer from slowly scanning large folders

**Short answer:** File Explorer looks at the files in a folder to choose a view template (pictures, music, documents). In folders with thousands of files that scan is what makes them slow to open. FolderType set to NotSpecified under the AllFolders shell key gives every folder the general template and skips the scan. In the registry it sets FolderType to NotSpecified under HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell.

## In the app

- Switch: Disable Folder Type Discovery (Windows, Free, Standard)
- Undo: Yes. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.
- Catalog row: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks#t-1164

## What it does

File Explorer looks at the files in a folder to choose a view template (pictures, music, documents). In folders with thousands of files that scan is what makes them slow to open. FolderType set to NotSpecified under the AllFolders shell key gives every folder the general template and skips the scan.

In the app the switch is called "Disable Folder Type Discovery", described there as: Stops File Explorer from scanning a folder to pick a view for it, so large folders open faster (restart Explorer to apply).

## When it helps

- Downloads folders, clip folders and game folders with very many files, which open at once.

## When it hurts

- Folders no longer switch to thumbnail or music views by themselves. You can still pick a view per folder.
- Restart File Explorer to apply.

## What it writes

Read from the app's source. "Switching it off" is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values:

| Key | Value | With the tweak | Switching it off |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell` | `FolderType` | `NotSpecified` | Your previous value (saved before the change, or deleted if there was none) |

Source: Tweaks/pack_extra.hpp in the app's source, app 2.0.0, checked 2026-10-08.

## The same change by hand

Run in a Command Prompt opened as administrator. Make a restore point first.

```bat
reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell" /v "FolderType" /t REG_SZ /d "NotSpecified" /f
```

See what it is set to now:

```bat
reg query "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell" /v "FolderType"
```

## How to undo it

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. The app saved what each value was before the change and writes exactly that back, or removes the value if it did not exist.

## Verdict

Recommended if a folder takes seconds to open.

## Questions

### What does the "Disable Folder Type Discovery" tweak change in Windows?

In the registry it sets FolderType to NotSpecified under HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell.

### Is "Disable Folder Type Discovery" safe to switch on?

Recommended if a folder takes seconds to open. The main cost: Folders no longer switch to thumbnail or music views by themselves. You can still pick a view per folder.

### How do I undo it?

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.

### Does it need a restart?

Yes, the change applies after restarting File Explorer.

### Is "Disable Folder Type Discovery" free in Frozen Tweaks?

Yes. It is one of the free tweaks, with no time limit.

## Related guides

- [Windows 11 Gaming Optimization: What Still Works in 2026](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/windows-11-gaming-optimization)
- [How to Increase FPS on PC: The Complete 2026 Guide](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/how-to-increase-fps-on-pc)

## More tweak explainers

- [Folder windows in a separate process](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/separate-process-for-folder-windows)
- [Shutdown timeouts](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/faster-shutdown)
- [Keyboard repeat rate and delay](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/keyboard-repeat-rate-and-delay)

---
Written by Frost LIVE, founder of Frozen Tweaks. Canonical version: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-folder-type-discovery