I think I can help you out here...the "large icons" is the default setting that you revert to because the change (view) was not made permanent. To make this view change stick, open any folder and click on "View" and change the perfered view to "List". With the same folder open, click on "Tools", and select "Folder Options" from the drop-down menu. In the Folder Options window, click on the "View" tab. Left-click the "Like Current Folder" button (under "Folder views") and "OK".  You can reset the view of all folders to the default setting (Large Icons) again by clicking the "Reset All Folders" button.

SloMoShun:

You solved it!  Thanks so much for your help.  I can't tell you how many times I have changed the view to "list" without knowing it could be made permanent.  I was getting so sick of those "icons".

I appreciate your detailed and helpful reply!