Question: In Windows Vista, whenever I open a folder, the selection of columns is nonsensical: album, date taken, etc., for folders that contain no music or pictures whatsoever. I can select the correct columns for a particular folder, but all the other folders are still wrong, even when I go in to Folder Options and click the button to set the current options to all folders of this type.

How can I tell Windows to use the current column selection for all folders, unless otherwise specified?

Answer: 
First you set the columns the way you want in one folder, then on the Tools menu (`Alt`+`t` if the menu is hidden by default), click Folder Options... and then go to the View tab, click Apply to Folders. After confirming, you will see that all your folders (at least of that type) have been changed.

PS. Thanks for asking; it reminded me that I needed to set this up.
See this article from annoyances.org : ["Default Folder Template Patch"](http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/choosetemplate), which says:

> 
> Windows Vista has a bug that prevents
>  it from choosing the correct view for
>  a folder based on its contents, which
>  is why you may see thumbnails when
>  they're not appropriate, and no
>  thumbnails when they're needed. The
>  following patch stops Vista from
>  trying to guess how to display a
>  folder, instead forcing it to use the
>  template of your choice.
> 
> 
>