1. We established Tux Reports Communities in September 2003 as a means to discuss tablets. We recently changed forum software and expanded topic discussions to 170 forums. Check out the announcement forums for our site changes. Please check things out, stick around, and maybe return later. Sidebar ads disappear when you register.

Changing default sort order in XP?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Pheasant Plucker®, Jul 21, 2008.

  1. Hi there,

    Using XP and have noticed that the default sort order is different to that
    of Windows 2000 and below.

    I have seen references to changing the sort order but that only seems to
    apply to numbers and not letters?

    In XP for example if I add a new file into a folder that already contains
    files then it can be displayed anywhere, at the bottom or randomly
    somewhere.

    This is annoying and when I next go into that same folder I have to hunt
    around to find the file but in a large folder I sometimes miss it.

    In W2K & below the new file was automatically inserted in its correct
    alphabetical sort order.

    I am guessing this behaviour can be changed but how?

    Maybe I have missed something here but why did MS change this behaviour?

    --
    Thanks & regards,
    -pp-

  2. Rey Santos Guest

    New files shows at the bottom (I expect it there) if not I click view
    "Refresh".
    --
    Rey


    "Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:

    > Hi there,
    >
    > Using XP and have noticed that the default sort order is different to that
    > of Windows 2000 and below.
    >
    > I have seen references to changing the sort order but that only seems to
    > apply to numbers and not letters?
    >
    > In XP for example if I add a new file into a folder that already contains
    > files then it can be displayed anywhere, at the bottom or randomly
    > somewhere.
    >
    > This is annoying and when I next go into that same folder I have to hunt
    > around to find the file but in a large folder I sometimes miss it.
    >
    > In W2K & below the new file was automatically inserted in its correct
    > alphabetical sort order.
    >
    > I am guessing this behaviour can be changed but how?
    >
    > Maybe I have missed something here but why did MS change this behaviour?
    >
    > --
    > Thanks & regards,
    > -pp-
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
  3. Thanks for the reply Rey but that is not what I had in mind - its not just
    new files...and I would expect the new files to be shown in their correct
    order the next time I browse the folder...

    In all earlier versions of Windows I have used the arrange order seemed to
    be taken care of automatically.

    In XP I struggle to find files sometimes as when I browse a folder with many
    files shown as Tiles they do not seem to be in alphabetical order.

    I even suspect if I arrange them or refresh with F5 the next time I go back
    in they do not 'remember' the correct order or have reverted to some random
    order.

    It seemed to me that earlier versions of Windows appeared to do an automatic
    refresh/sort as I never noticed this behaviour on older versions of Windows.

    I have tried 'Arrange Icons by Name' and also 'Auto Arrange' but I still get
    instances where the sort order seems haphazard...

    Progress huh? ;^)

    Thanks & kind regards,
    -=Glyn=-

    "Rey Santos" <ReySantos@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    news:A6B0CACA-A12D-4B57-873D-132170314DCE@microsoft.com...
    > New files shows at the bottom (I expect it there) if not I click view
    > "Refresh".
    > --
    > Rey
    >
    >
    > "Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:
    >
    > > Hi there,
    > >
    > > Using XP and have noticed that the default sort order is different to

    that
    > > of Windows 2000 and below.
    > >
    > > I have seen references to changing the sort order but that only seems to
    > > apply to numbers and not letters?
    > >
    > > In XP for example if I add a new file into a folder that already

    contains
    > > files then it can be displayed anywhere, at the bottom or randomly
    > > somewhere.
    > >
    > > This is annoying and when I next go into that same folder I have to hunt
    > > around to find the file but in a large folder I sometimes miss it.
    > >
    > > In W2K & below the new file was automatically inserted in its correct
    > > alphabetical sort order.
    > >
    > > I am guessing this behaviour can be changed but how?
    > >
    > > Maybe I have missed something here but why did MS change this behaviour?
    > >
    > > --
    > > Thanks & regards,
    > > -pp-
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
  4. Rey Santos Guest

    Try this:
    In Windows Explorer, open a folder sush as My Document > Click View menu >
    Details. Sort the files according to to your liking by clicking on the
    heading of each column. Hold down the CTL key and click the close button at
    the top right of the window (red x) to close it. Windows should remember the
    last settings made.

    Windows Explorer Weirdness
    http://www.cc-tips.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=37
    --
    Rey


    "Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:

    > Thanks for the reply Rey but that is not what I had in mind - its not just
    > new files...and I would expect the new files to be shown in their correct
    > order the next time I browse the folder...
    >
    > In all earlier versions of Windows I have used the arrange order seemed to
    > be taken care of automatically.
    >
    > In XP I struggle to find files sometimes as when I browse a folder with many
    > files shown as Tiles they do not seem to be in alphabetical order.
    >
    > I even suspect if I arrange them or refresh with F5 the next time I go back
    > in they do not 'remember' the correct order or have reverted to some random
    > order.
    >
    > It seemed to me that earlier versions of Windows appeared to do an automatic
    > refresh/sort as I never noticed this behaviour on older versions of Windows.
    >
    > I have tried 'Arrange Icons by Name' and also 'Auto Arrange' but I still get
    > instances where the sort order seems haphazard...
    >
    > Progress huh? ;^)
    >
    > Thanks & kind regards,
    > -=Glyn=-
    >
    > "Rey Santos" <ReySantos@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    > news:A6B0CACA-A12D-4B57-873D-132170314DCE@microsoft.com...
    > > New files shows at the bottom (I expect it there) if not I click view
    > > "Refresh".
    > > --
    > > Rey
    > >
    > >
    > > "Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:
    > >
    > > > Hi there,
    > > >
    > > > Using XP and have noticed that the default sort order is different to

    > that
    > > > of Windows 2000 and below.
    > > >
    > > > I have seen references to changing the sort order but that only seems to
    > > > apply to numbers and not letters?
    > > >
    > > > In XP for example if I add a new file into a folder that already

    > contains
    > > > files then it can be displayed anywhere, at the bottom or randomly
    > > > somewhere.
    > > >
    > > > This is annoying and when I next go into that same folder I have to hunt
    > > > around to find the file but in a large folder I sometimes miss it.
    > > >
    > > > In W2K & below the new file was automatically inserted in its correct
    > > > alphabetical sort order.
    > > >
    > > > I am guessing this behaviour can be changed but how?
    > > >
    > > > Maybe I have missed something here but why did MS change this behaviour?
    > > >
    > > > --
    > > > Thanks & regards,
    > > > -pp-
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >

    >
    >
    >
  5. Bob I Guest

    Then you will need to go to Tools, Folder Options, View, and set overall
    preferences, like "Remember each folders view settings" and apply that
    to all folders.

    Pheasant Plucker® wrote:

    > Thanks for the reply Rey but that is not what I had in mind - its not just
    > new files...and I would expect the new files to be shown in their correct
    > order the next time I browse the folder...
    >
    > In all earlier versions of Windows I have used the arrange order seemedto
    > be taken care of automatically.
    >
    > In XP I struggle to find files sometimes as when I browse a folder withmany
    > files shown as Tiles they do not seem to be in alphabetical order.
    >
    > I even suspect if I arrange them or refresh with F5 the next time I go back
    > in they do not 'remember' the correct order or have reverted to some random
    > order.
    >
    > It seemed to me that earlier versions of Windows appeared to do an automatic
    > refresh/sort as I never noticed this behaviour on older versions of Windows.
    >
    > I have tried 'Arrange Icons by Name' and also 'Auto Arrange' but I still get
    > instances where the sort order seems haphazard...
    >
    > Progress huh? ;^)
    >
    > Thanks & kind regards,
    > -=Glyn=-
    >
    > "Rey Santos" <ReySantos@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    > news:A6B0CACA-A12D-4B57-873D-132170314DCE@microsoft.com...
    >
    >>New files shows at the bottom (I expect it there) if not I click view
    >>"Refresh".
    >>--
    >>Rey
    >>
    >>
    >>"Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:
    >>
    >>
    >>>Hi there,
    >>>
    >>>Using XP and have noticed that the default sort order is different to

    >
    > that
    >
    >>>of Windows 2000 and below.
    >>>
    >>>I have seen references to changing the sort order but that only seems to
    >>>apply to numbers and not letters?
    >>>
    >>>In XP for example if I add a new file into a folder that already

    >
    > contains
    >
    >>>files then it can be displayed anywhere, at the bottom or randomly
    >>>somewhere.
    >>>
    >>>This is annoying and when I next go into that same folder I have to hunt
    >>>around to find the file but in a large folder I sometimes miss it.
    >>>
    >>>In W2K & below the new file was automatically inserted in its correct
    >>>alphabetical sort order.
    >>>
    >>>I am guessing this behaviour can be changed but how?
    >>>
    >>>Maybe I have missed something here but why did MS change this behaviour?
    >>>
    >>>--
    >>>Thanks & regards,
    >>>-pp-
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>

    >
    >
    >
  6. Thanks for the reply Bob,

    I'll give that a go...but is it me or does XP behave differently because I
    don't recall having this issue in W2K and earlier?

    Thanks & regards,
    -=pp=-


    "Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message
    news:%23ijzfIc8IHA.2348@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
    Then you will need to go to Tools, Folder Options, View, and set overall
    preferences, like "Remember each folders view settings" and apply that
    to all folders.

    Pheasant Plucker® wrote:

    > Thanks for the reply Rey but that is not what I had in mind - its not just
    > new files...and I would expect the new files to be shown in their correct
    > order the next time I browse the folder...
    >
    > In all earlier versions of Windows I have used the arrange order seemed to
    > be taken care of automatically.
    >
    > In XP I struggle to find files sometimes as when I browse a folder with

    many
    > files shown as Tiles they do not seem to be in alphabetical order.
    >
    > I even suspect if I arrange them or refresh with F5 the next time I go

    back
    > in they do not 'remember' the correct order or have reverted to some

    random
    > order.
    >
    > It seemed to me that earlier versions of Windows appeared to do an

    automatic
    > refresh/sort as I never noticed this behaviour on older versions of

    Windows.
    >
    > I have tried 'Arrange Icons by Name' and also 'Auto Arrange' but I still

    get
    > instances where the sort order seems haphazard...
    >
    > Progress huh? ;^)
    >
    > Thanks & kind regards,
    > -=Glyn=-
    >
    > "Rey Santos" <ReySantos@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    > news:A6B0CACA-A12D-4B57-873D-132170314DCE@microsoft.com...
    >
    >>New files shows at the bottom (I expect it there) if not I click view
    >>"Refresh".
    >>--
    >>Rey
    >>
    >>
    >>"Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:
    >>
    >>
    >>>Hi there,
    >>>
    >>>Using XP and have noticed that the default sort order is different to

    >
    > that
    >
    >>>of Windows 2000 and below.
    >>>
    >>>I have seen references to changing the sort order but that only seems to
    >>>apply to numbers and not letters?
    >>>
    >>>In XP for example if I add a new file into a folder that already

    >
    > contains
    >
    >>>files then it can be displayed anywhere, at the bottom or randomly
    >>>somewhere.
    >>>
    >>>This is annoying and when I next go into that same folder I have to hunt
    >>>around to find the file but in a large folder I sometimes miss it.
    >>>
    >>>In W2K & below the new file was automatically inserted in its correct
    >>>alphabetical sort order.
    >>>
    >>>I am guessing this behaviour can be changed but how?
    >>>
    >>>Maybe I have missed something here but why did MS change this behaviour?
    >>>
    >>>--
    >>>Thanks & regards,
    >>>-pp-
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>

    >
    >
    >
  7. Thanks again for the reply Rey,

    And repeat the procedure for every folder on my hard discs?

    <shudder>

    Maybe I could set these preferences globally...hmmm.

    Is it my imagination then or does XP behave differently to W2K and earlier
    because I never had this problem before?

    Thanks & regards,
    -=pp=-

    "Rey Santos" <ReySantos@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    news:A6852BB7-B0C1-43E0-ACBE-2A58B93ABC1A@microsoft.com...
    > Try this:
    > In Windows Explorer, open a folder sush as My Document > Click View menu >
    > Details. Sort the files according to to your liking by clicking on the
    > heading of each column. Hold down the CTL key and click the close button

    at
    > the top right of the window (red x) to close it. Windows should remember

    the
    > last settings made.
    >
    > Windows Explorer Weirdness
    > http://www.cc-tips.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=37
    > --
    > Rey
    >
    >
    > "Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:
    >
    > > Thanks for the reply Rey but that is not what I had in mind - its not

    just
    > > new files...and I would expect the new files to be shown in their

    correct
    > > order the next time I browse the folder...
    > >
    > > In all earlier versions of Windows I have used the arrange order seemed

    to
    > > be taken care of automatically.
    > >
    > > In XP I struggle to find files sometimes as when I browse a folder with

    many
    > > files shown as Tiles they do not seem to be in alphabetical order.
    > >
    > > I even suspect if I arrange them or refresh with F5 the next time I go

    back
    > > in they do not 'remember' the correct order or have reverted to some

    random
    > > order.
    > >
    > > It seemed to me that earlier versions of Windows appeared to do an

    automatic
    > > refresh/sort as I never noticed this behaviour on older versions of

    Windows.
    > >
    > > I have tried 'Arrange Icons by Name' and also 'Auto Arrange' but I still

    get
    > > instances where the sort order seems haphazard...
    > >
    > > Progress huh? ;^)
    > >
    > > Thanks & kind regards,
    > > -=Glyn=-
    > >
    > > "Rey Santos" <ReySantos@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    > > news:A6B0CACA-A12D-4B57-873D-132170314DCE@microsoft.com...
    > > > New files shows at the bottom (I expect it there) if not I click view
    > > > "Refresh".
    > > > --
    > > > Rey
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > "Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:
    > > >
    > > > > Hi there,
    > > > >
    > > > > Using XP and have noticed that the default sort order is different

    to
    > > that
    > > > > of Windows 2000 and below.
    > > > >
    > > > > I have seen references to changing the sort order but that only

    seems to
    > > > > apply to numbers and not letters?
    > > > >
    > > > > In XP for example if I add a new file into a folder that already

    > > contains
    > > > > files then it can be displayed anywhere, at the bottom or randomly
    > > > > somewhere.
    > > > >
    > > > > This is annoying and when I next go into that same folder I have to

    hunt
    > > > > around to find the file but in a large folder I sometimes miss it.
    > > > >
    > > > > In W2K & below the new file was automatically inserted in its

    correct
    > > > > alphabetical sort order.
    > > > >
    > > > > I am guessing this behaviour can be changed but how?
    > > > >
    > > > > Maybe I have missed something here but why did MS change this

    behaviour?
    > > > >
    > > > > --
    > > > > Thanks & regards,
    > > > > -pp-
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >

    > >
    > >
    > >
  8. Bob I Guest

    There are slight differences between Win2K and WinXP but I don't
    remember about that and no longer have any Windows 2000 boxes to check,
    sorry.

    Pheasant Plucker® wrote:

    > Thanks for the reply Bob,
    >
    > I'll give that a go...but is it me or does XP behave differently because I
    > don't recall having this issue in W2K and earlier?
    >
    > Thanks & regards,
    > -=pp=-
    >
    >
    > "Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message
    > news:%23ijzfIc8IHA.2348@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
    > Then you will need to go to Tools, Folder Options, View, and set overall
    > preferences, like "Remember each folders view settings" and apply that
    > to all folders.
    >
    > Pheasant Plucker® wrote:
    >
    >
    >>Thanks for the reply Rey but that is not what I had in mind - its not just
    >>new files...and I would expect the new files to be shown in their correct
    >>order the next time I browse the folder...
    >>
    >>In all earlier versions of Windows I have used the arrange order seemedto
    >>be taken care of automatically.
    >>
    >>In XP I struggle to find files sometimes as when I browse a folder with

    >
    > many
    >
    >>files shown as Tiles they do not seem to be in alphabetical order.
    >>
    >>I even suspect if I arrange them or refresh with F5 the next time I go

    >
    > back
    >
    >>in they do not 'remember' the correct order or have reverted to some

    >
    > random
    >
    >>order.
    >>
    >>It seemed to me that earlier versions of Windows appeared to do an

    >
    > automatic
    >
    >>refresh/sort as I never noticed this behaviour on older versions of

    >
    > Windows.
    >
    >>I have tried 'Arrange Icons by Name' and also 'Auto Arrange' but I still

    >
    > get
    >
    >>instances where the sort order seems haphazard...
    >>
    >>Progress huh? ;^)
    >>
    >>Thanks & kind regards,
    >>-=Glyn=-
    >>
    >>"Rey Santos" <ReySantos@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    >>news:A6B0CACA-A12D-4B57-873D-132170314DCE@microsoft.com...
    >>
    >>
    >>>New files shows at the bottom (I expect it there) if not I click view
    >>>"Refresh".
    >>>--
    >>>Rey
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>"Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>>Hi there,
    >>>>
    >>>>Using XP and have noticed that the default sort order is different to

    >>
    >>that
    >>
    >>
    >>>>of Windows 2000 and below.
    >>>>
    >>>>I have seen references to changing the sort order but that only seemsto
    >>>>apply to numbers and not letters?
    >>>>
    >>>>In XP for example if I add a new file into a folder that already

    >>
    >>contains
    >>
    >>
    >>>>files then it can be displayed anywhere, at the bottom or randomly
    >>>>somewhere.
    >>>>
    >>>>This is annoying and when I next go into that same folder I have to hunt
    >>>>around to find the file but in a large folder I sometimes miss it.
    >>>>
    >>>>In W2K & below the new file was automatically inserted in its correct
    >>>>alphabetical sort order.
    >>>>
    >>>>I am guessing this behaviour can be changed but how?
    >>>>
    >>>>Maybe I have missed something here but why did MS change this behaviour?
    >>>>
    >>>>--
    >>>>Thanks & regards,
    >>>>-pp-
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>

    >>
    >>
    >>

    >
    >
  9. Mike Matheny Guest

    I know what you are talking about - is this what you are experiencing:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319827


    Just an fyi, I tried the reghacks (even the TweakUI tool has a setting for
    it for the faint of heart!) and it DOES NOT WORK on my WinXP SP3 system. I
    am fighting this right now, because I am populatiing 900 groups from 900
    file contents, and when I sort the group names in Active Directory Users and
    Computers, it sorts like I have always been taught in school, however, the
    folder sort throws things around, and I really have to double check the file
    name vs. the group name. Why would MS decide that the way millions of people
    have been taught to sort is wrong?
    --

    Mike

    "Pheasant Plucker®" <pheasant@plucker.not> wrote in message
    news:OvGtghg9IHA.5668@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
    > Thanks for the reply Bob,
    >
    > I'll give that a go...but is it me or does XP behave differently because I
    > don't recall having this issue in W2K and earlier?
    >
    > Thanks & regards,
    > -=pp=-
    >
    >
    > "Bob I" <birelan@yahoo.com> wrote in message
    > news:%23ijzfIc8IHA.2348@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
    > Then you will need to go to Tools, Folder Options, View, and set overall
    > preferences, like "Remember each folders view settings" and apply that
    > to all folders.
    >
    > Pheasant Plucker® wrote:
    >
    >> Thanks for the reply Rey but that is not what I had in mind - its not
    >> just
    >> new files...and I would expect the new files to be shown in their correct
    >> order the next time I browse the folder...
    >>
    >> In all earlier versions of Windows I have used the arrange order seemed
    >> to
    >> be taken care of automatically.
    >>
    >> In XP I struggle to find files sometimes as when I browse a folder with

    > many
    >> files shown as Tiles they do not seem to be in alphabetical order.
    >>
    >> I even suspect if I arrange them or refresh with F5 the next time I go

    > back
    >> in they do not 'remember' the correct order or have reverted to some

    > random
    >> order.
    >>
    >> It seemed to me that earlier versions of Windows appeared to do an

    > automatic
    >> refresh/sort as I never noticed this behaviour on older versions of

    > Windows.
    >>
    >> I have tried 'Arrange Icons by Name' and also 'Auto Arrange' but I still

    > get
    >> instances where the sort order seems haphazard...
    >>
    >> Progress huh? ;^)
    >>
    >> Thanks & kind regards,
    >> -=Glyn=-
    >>
    >> "Rey Santos" <ReySantos@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    >> news:A6B0CACA-A12D-4B57-873D-132170314DCE@microsoft.com...
    >>
    >>>New files shows at the bottom (I expect it there) if not I click view
    >>>"Refresh".
    >>>--
    >>>Rey
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>"Pheasant Plucker®" wrote:
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>>Hi there,
    >>>>
    >>>>Using XP and have noticed that the default sort order is different to

    >>
    >> that
    >>
    >>>>of Windows 2000 and below.
    >>>>
    >>>>I have seen references to changing the sort order but that only seems to
    >>>>apply to numbers and not letters?
    >>>>
    >>>>In XP for example if I add a new file into a folder that already

    >>
    >> contains
    >>
    >>>>files then it can be displayed anywhere, at the bottom or randomly
    >>>>somewhere.
    >>>>
    >>>>This is annoying and when I next go into that same folder I have to hunt
    >>>>around to find the file but in a large folder I sometimes miss it.
    >>>>
    >>>>In W2K & below the new file was automatically inserted in its correct
    >>>>alphabetical sort order.
    >>>>
    >>>>I am guessing this behaviour can be changed but how?
    >>>>
    >>>>Maybe I have missed something here but why did MS change this behaviour?
    >>>>
    >>>>--
    >>>>Thanks & regards,
    >>>>-pp-
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>

    >>
    >>
    >>

    >
    >

Share This Page