Drive / Folder sorting


Dark Knight

Well-known member
Member
Local time
10:40 AM
Posts
95
OS
Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 23481.1000
I think the way Windows 11 sorts folders and drives really sucks ......

Is their a way to sort drives on This Pc in Windows Explorer to say "Devices and Drives" as it did on Windows 10 and not "NTFS" and "Unspecified" ? All my drives in This PC are now set under NTFS and my DVD drive is under Unspecified.

Also , I don't really need to know how old a folder is or how long ago it was created If I wanted to know all I have to do is go into it's properties. Is there a default setting where I can just group folders without windows explorer showing how old the folder is or how long ago it was created. It gets to be a real pain in the butt to set the folder view and sort every time I create a new folder, is there some sort of global setting?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 23481.1000
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    Intel i5-6500 3.5 Ghz quad core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-170-HD3
    Memory
    Corsair 16GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Curved 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    8 Drives total: One 1TB M.2 SSD (for OS) Three internal Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD's , 4 Western Digital External removable drives , 3 @ 1TB each and 1 8TB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦22631.3527 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
I think the way Windows 11 sorts folders and drives really sucks ......

Is their a way to sort drives on This Pc in Windows Explorer to say "Devices and Drives" as it did on Windows 10 and not "NTFS" and "Unspecified" ? All my drives in This PC are now set under NTFS and my DVD drive is under Unspecified.

Also , I don't really need to know how old a folder is or how long ago it was created If I wanted to know all I have to do is go into it's properties. Is there a default setting where I can just group folders without windows explorer showing how old the folder is or how long ago it was created. It gets to be a real pain in the butt to set the folder view and sort every time I create a new folder, is there some sort of global setting?
Right click/View/Sort by/Group by...
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Thanks, I appreciate the reply and link but ......... really?
If I need to go through all that then I might as well just reinstall Windows 10 and not have to jump through hoops just to set a global folder view

Microsoft really screwed the pooch when it comes to Windows Explorer on 11
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 23481.1000
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    Intel i5-6500 3.5 Ghz quad core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-170-HD3
    Memory
    Corsair 16GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Curved 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    8 Drives total: One 1TB M.2 SSD (for OS) Three internal Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD's , 4 Western Digital External removable drives , 3 @ 1TB each and 1 8TB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
Right click/View/Sort by/Group by...
Yes , I know, But I shouldn't have to do that every single time a new folder is created.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 23481.1000
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    Intel i5-6500 3.5 Ghz quad core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-170-HD3
    Memory
    Corsair 16GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Curved 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    8 Drives total: One 1TB M.2 SSD (for OS) Three internal Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD's , 4 Western Digital External removable drives , 3 @ 1TB each and 1 8TB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
Yes , I know, But I shouldn't have to do that every single time a new folder is created.
then also do: Options/View/Apply to Folders/Do you want all folders of this type...../Yes
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
What many may not realize, there are 5 main types of folders...

0001654.png

... and, a few odd ones that sort of have a mind of their own, like Recycle Bin, This PC and list applets in Control Panel such as Programs and Features..., if you have most of these types of folders pinned to Quick Access as parent folders, you apply the following to each folder and you should be all set throughout Explorer. Should take about 3 minutes to do!

0001651.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Thanks, I appreciate the reply and link but ......... really?
If I need to go through all that then I might as well just reinstall Windows 10 and not have to jump through hoops just to set a global folder view

Microsoft really screwed the pooch when it comes to Windows Explorer on 11



Two things...

1. MS's folder view has never worked 100% on any version of Windows.
2. WinSetView... does work.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦22631.3527 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
Thanks, I appreciate the reply and link but ......... really?
If I need to go through all that then I might as well just reinstall Windows 10 and not have to jump through hoops just to set a global folder view

Microsoft really screwed the pooch when it comes to Windows Explorer on 11
Windows 10 doesn't provide any more ability to set global views than Windows 11. Both have the option to set defaults for the five major folder types using the (poorly named) "Apply to Folders" button, as @Edwin detailed.

Windows 11 definitely has some folder view bugs that aren't present in Windows 10. In particular, folder views are stuck at General items in subfolders on removable media and also in certain folders on fixed drives (e.g. any subfolder inside Downloads). Microsoft has not, AFAIK, acknowledged those bugs. They're enough for me to stay away from Windows 11 as my main machine.

I do get a chuckle from a comment like "go through all that" when it will probably take less time to download and run (following the quick start guide) then to go back and forth with messages looking for other options. But that's cool. Each to his own. I'm here if you need any help with the app.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10/11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
Hello Dark Knight, :-)

In addition, you could use the methods in the tutorial below for what you want.


OR

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

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