How to add the Bit Rate column to Windows Explorer Detail View (for music files), and making it "stick". This article was tested with Windows 7, 8, and Windows 10, 11.
Issue:
Opening an MP3 music folder with Windows Explorer shows the Name, Track, Title, Contributing Artist, and Album name -- but not the Bit Rate. Manually adding the bit rate for one folder may work for that folder but not for others; you want the bit-rate in all subfolders (albums).
Solution:
1. Launch Windows File Explorer.
2. Open your top-level music album folder (mp3 folder).
3. Windows 7 users: Expose the File Menu with these steps:
4. View the Details:
5. Locate the Field/Name headers (the columns):
Issue:
Opening an MP3 music folder with Windows Explorer shows the Name, Track, Title, Contributing Artist, and Album name -- but not the Bit Rate. Manually adding the bit rate for one folder may work for that folder but not for others; you want the bit-rate in all subfolders (albums).
Solution:
1. Launch Windows File Explorer.
2. Open your top-level music album folder (mp3 folder).
* Only do this step (this article) for your music library
* This only works for local disks (C: drive)
* This only works for local disks (C: drive)
In my case, C:\Data\Music
You may find yours in C:\Users\(your name)\Music
3. Windows 7 users: Expose the File Menu with these steps:
On the top menu bar, click "Organize," Layout, and check "Menu Bar".
This exposes the File, Edit, View menus.
This exposes the File, Edit, View menus.
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| Click for larger view |
4. View the Details:
For Windows 7: On the newly-exposed menu, choose "View, Details"
For Windows 10/11, click the View tab in the ribbon bar, choose "Details"
5. Locate the Field/Name headers (the columns):
In any Music/MP3 folder, locate the file/directory name's column-heading (the line with the Name, Date Modified, contributing artists, album, etc.).
Find a blank space on that column-heading section and "other-mouse-click" (right-mouse).
A list of fields will appear. It may help to maximize the screen and look to the right.
Windows 10 users may have to click "More"
A list of fields will appear. It may help to maximize the screen and look to the right.
Windows 10 users may have to click "More"
Check [x] Bit Rate.
Note: This only effects the current folder. Additional steps needed for other folders.
6. Make the change for all folders and sub-folders of (C:\Data\Music) with this one last step:
With Windows Explorer, highlight the top-level music folder; in my case C:\Data\Music
Windows 7 Users (illustrated below):
Return to Windows Explorer's top menu, choose Tools, "Folder Options."
Windows 10 Users:
From the Ribbon, Choose "Options", then "Change Folder and Search Options", (not illustrated, but similar steps)
7. All versions of Windows, continue with these steps...
(in Tools, "Folder Options" / Options)
Click the View tab
Click "Apply to Folders", then OK, closing the dialog.
Results:
The Bit-Rate should appear on all music folders and subfolders.
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