“Open”, “Save” or “Save As” dialog box default settings – Windows XP
Open a common dialog box, change the view to the one you want, and then hit Ctrl/Cancel. Yes, it’s counterintuitive, but this solution is in Ed Bott’s book “Windows XP Inside and Out” and it works.
Yes, it does. Mostly. It’s got all the consistency for which Windows is justly famous.
No related posts.

Holy Crap! I’ve been looking for a way to do this for ages. You are a GENIUS! Thank you!
I followed you from a mefi posting. Wind, eh? nifty. Theora
You’re THE one who knows. Thanks a lot. And what if I want to have the files sorted by date when I open the save as dialog box? You know, readers are never fully satisfied…