Completely get rid of "Group By" anywhere in File Explorer

WIN11User · Dec 27, 2024

As my title says I wish to Completely get rid of "Group By" anywhere in File Explorer. I've tried many things but to no avail. At the moment I am noticing one folder inparticular that constantly resets to a group by date, even though it displays (None) as selected. This folder is my download folder whose path was changed to a folder on an alternate drive. Is there a way to DISABLE Group by for any file/folder on the computer? I have Windows 11 Pro (24H2) updated to present.

Thanks
Brian

Berton · Dec 27, 2024

It may be hard to do in File Explorer, it's part of the app. I predominately use the Details view but there's other choices. Might have to use a third-party file manager add-in but be aware that a future Version Upgrade or Build update may set things back to their defaults, after all we only get a License to use Windows, not buying the actual program. The license provides access to the software to go with it. But do look in Folder Options, may be a setting that could be useful. Some changes can be made in Sort, Group by, I have nothing chosen there.

LesFerch · Dec 27, 2024

You can use this:

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views

lesferch.github.io

For more details see:
Completely disable file grouping, always, everywhere, in all windows, dialogs, everything!

WIN11User · Dec 30, 2024

LesFerch said:
You can use this:

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views

lesferch.github.io

For more details see:
Completely disable file grouping, always, everywhere, in all windows, dialogs, everything!

I like the little program, WinSetView, but it did not work for this specific folder.
I can use the "sort" drop-down menu in file explorer to select (None) and it de-groups the folder contents, but if I select a different folder and then select this particular folder, the "group by" returns sorted by Date Modified. Bizarre stuff!

I'm going to restore the default Download folder location and see what happens!

Brian

TairikuOkami · Dec 30, 2024

This did the trick for me, removing saved folder settings, setting Explorer to NotSpecified and then applying it.

Code:

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell" /v "FolderType" /t REG_SZ /d "NotSpecified" /f
rem Open Explorer - Choose the desired View - View - Options - View - Apply to Folders - OK - Close/Restart Explorer ASAP

LesFerch · Dec 30, 2024

WIN11User said:
I like the little program, WinSetView, but it did not work for this specific folder.
I can use the "sort" drop-down menu in file explorer to select (None) and it de-groups the folder contents, but if I select a different folder and then select this particular folder, the "group by" returns sorted by Date Modified. Bizarre stuff!

The only instance where I've seen grouping not turned off is in a file open/save dialog for an app that was still open when WinSetView was run.

In order to better understand what you're describing (and possibly get a clue as to the cause) please show us screenshots of the issue. Thanks!

LesFerch · Dec 30, 2024

TairikuOkami said:

This did the trick for me, removing saved folder settings, setting Explorer to NotSpecified and then applying it.

Code:

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags" /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell" /v "FolderType" /t REG_SZ /d "NotSpecified" /f
rem Open Explorer - Choose the desired View - View - Options - View - Apply to Folders - OK - Close/Restart Explorer ASAP

It should be noted that these steps will return all folder views to Windows defaults, set all folders to be type "General items", and disable automatic folder type discovery. Then, as per the "rem" comment, the selected view using "Apply to Folders" will be applied globally. As long as you really don't want different views for different folder types, this approach works well.

WIN11User · Dec 30, 2024

LesFerch said:
The only instance where I've seen grouping not turned off is in a file open/save dialog for an app that was still open when WinSetView was run.

In order to better understand what you're describing (and possibly get a clue as to the cause) please show us screenshots of the issue. Thanks!

The image I posted in the initial post is the behavior I was questioning. Even though the "Group by" is selected from the drop-down, the files/folders are sorted.

I found a workaround for the grouping issue, not a real fix, but does the trick for me...

P.S. I hate the Automatic folder type discovery as the category headings and lateral placement of the category headings is never how I want them to be.
It doesn't seem to allow for permanent change of each default category settings.

LesFerch · Dec 30, 2024

WIN11User said:
The image I posted in the initial post is the behavior I was questioning. Even though the "Group by" is selected from the drop-down, the files/folders are sorted.

I found a workaround for the grouping issue, not a real fix, but does the trick for me...

P.S. I hate the Automatic folder type discovery as the category headings and lateral placement of the category headings is never how I want them to be.
It doesn't seem to allow for permanent change of each default category settings.

Oh, I hadn't looked very closely at that screenshot before. What you show there shouldn't be possible. That is, once "(None)" is selected, it normally disappears from the "Group by" list. You should never be able to see a dot beside "(None)". You're running 24H2 with latest updates. Is that regular release channel or are you on any Insider build?

In regards to your "P.S." note... WinSetView should allow you to permanently set your category settings (column headings), including their order and widths. That should just work.

It seems that something very strange is going on with your set up. WinSetView deletes all your current views (just like the script @TairikuOkami posted) so it should clear up any corruption and properly set defaults. The only time I've seen behavior like this was when a user had a program called "WindowManager" (by Desksoft) installed which automatically restored its own backup of the Bags registry keys overriding the new defaults.

To figure out what's going on, we should review any other software you have installed that may be interfering and also you should run some tests with a new local account.

WIN11User · Dec 30, 2024

LesFerch said:
Oh, I hadn't looked very closely at that screenshot before. What you show there shouldn't be possible. That is, once "(None)" is selected, it normally disappears from the "Group by" list. You should never be able to see a dot beside "(None)". You're running 24H2 with latest updates. Is that regular release channel or are you on any Insider build?

In regards to your "P.S." note... WinSetView should allow you to permanently set your category settings (column headings), including their order and widths. That should just work.

It seems that something very strange is going on with your set up. WinSetView deletes all your current views (just like the script @TairikuOkami posted) so it should clear up any corruption and properly set defaults. The only time I've seen behavior like this was when a user had a program called "WindowManager" (by Desksoft) installed which automatically restored its own backup of the Bags registry keys overriding the new defaults.

To figure out what's going on, we should review any other software you have installed that may be interfering and also you should run some tests with a new local account.

I will have to read up more on the use of WinSetView. I do not have WindowManager but have used WinAeroTweaker and Ultimate Windows Tweaker.
I am also not using an "insider" build, have enough trouble with MS updates that break things (recently my printer & scanner drivers).

LesFerch · Dec 30, 2024

WIN11User said:
I will have to read up more on the use of WinSetView. I do not have WindowManager but have used WinAeroTweaker and Ultimate Windows Tweaker.
I am also not using an "insider" build, have enough trouble with MS updates that break things (recently my printer & scanner drivers).

WinAeroTweaker and Ultimate Windows Tweaker should be no problem at all. WinSetView is pretty straightforward. As per the quick start guide, set your preferred views and options and then click Submit. Grouping should then be gone from everywhere. If not, I'd sure like to see your computer, because that would be a first for me.

WIN11User · Dec 31, 2024

LesFerch said:
WinAeroTweaker and Ultimate Windows Tweaker should be no problem at all. WinSetView is pretty straightforward. As per the quick start guide, set your preferred views and options and then click Submit. Grouping should then be gone from everywhere. If not, I'd sure like to see your computer, because that would be a first for me.

Well, after reading the manual for WinSetView I figured out how to conquer not only the Grouping issue, but the issue of fine tuning both the column widths and column placements for specific categories (Music, Pictures, etc...). It's the App I've been looking for, for about ever!

Thanks for the help!

P.S. I no longer have Group By anywhere, just as the App claims.
:thumbsup:

WIN11User · Dec 31, 2024

OOPS!
Only issue is the views are sorting ascending and I can't figure how to reverse this for all folders/files. I don't see this option in WinSetView.
Also, I asume the settings are stored in the Win10-Microsoft-Defaults-No-Groups.ini file?? And the *reg files are the new current settings defined by WinSetView??

LesFerch · Dec 31, 2024

Click the Sort column heading button to cycle between ascending and descending sort order. For details, see the "Columns" section of the manual and scroll down to "Sort 1, Sort 2, Sort 3".

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views

lesferch.github.io

Of course, nothing changes in Explorer until "Submit" is clicked again.

Your current settings are stored in the file "Win10.ini" (whether running Windows 10 or 11). The file you noted is just an example settings file.

I'm not sure what reg files you're referring to, but WinSetView applies your selections to the user part of the registry (HKCU). There are temp reg files left over in the temp folder that can be safely deleted.

WIN11User · Jan 1, 2025

LesFerch said:
Click the Sort column heading button to cycle between ascending and descending sort order. For details, see the "Columns" section of the manual and scroll down to "Sort 1, Sort 2, Sort 3".

WinSetView

Globally Set Explorer Folder Views

lesferch.github.io

Of course, nothing changes in Explorer until "Submit" is clicked again.

Your current settings are stored in the file "Win10.ini" (whether running Windows 10 or 11). The file you noted is just an example settings file.

I'm not sure what reg files you're referring to, but WinSetView applies your selections to the user part of the registry (HKCU). There are temp reg files left over in the temp folder that can be safely deleted.

Thanks, got the column sort order as I desire.
The *.reg files are located in a backup folder inside the AppData folder of the portable version and as you said, can be deleted.

LesFerch · Jan 1, 2025

WIN11User said:
Thanks, got the column sort order as I desire.
The *.reg files are located in a backup folder inside the AppData folder of the portable version and as you said, can be deleted.

Ahh, those Reg files. They're a backup to allow rollback to previous view settings. They're safe to delete as well and you can prevent their creation by unchecking the "Backup" checkbox on the main screen.

Completely get rid of "Group By" anywhere in File Explorer

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