Rearranging Pictures By Date in Folder in File Explorer

zipsick · Nov 12, 2024

Hello. I do rearrange my pictures in a folder in file explorer by date. I have tried going to the sort tab and choosing more then date and then date created. This does not rearrange my pictures by date taken. I uploaded these pictures from my iphone 12 to my computer using a usb connection to to windows 11 program called Photos. Then I transferred the photos to a folder under owners and am opening the folder in windows explorer. Please someone help me. What could be the problem? Can my pictures be rearranged by date taken?

wiganken · Nov 12, 2024

zipsick said:
Can my pictures be rearranged by date taken?

I don't think so. By default they are arranged in alpha/numeric order.

It is possible to get them listed by 'Date Modified' if you choose layout 'Details' and then you can click on the 'Date Modified' header.

thecaretaker · Nov 12, 2024

Date created is when the photo was put in the folder on your machine. I have some photos where the date modified is older than the date created. Unless the date taken is stored on the photo file, then maybe there would be a third party program that can put them in taken order. But I can't see any way Windows can do anything like that.

Last modified date is your closest bet.

KevTech · Nov 12, 2024

FileDate or BulkFileChanger to change the file dates of the pictures to what you want.
Then when you sort by date it will be like you want.

Fabler2 · Nov 12, 2024

I just copy the folders over to the PC. I don't use the Photo app. Sort, more, Date created and sort, group by, date created.

Secret Squirrel · Nov 12, 2024

zipsick said:
Can my pictures be rearranged by date taken?

Right-click the folder containing your photos -> Show more options -> Properties -> "Customise" tab -> Optimise this folder for "Pictures" -> OK.

Or, copy your files to the Pictures folder which is by default already optimised for pictures.

Hopefully now you'll see the option to sort by "Date taken".

antspants · Nov 12, 2024

Hi.

If you don't have the option in your app to add (transfer/download) photos to a folder named by date created (or taken), you could try making File Explorer work for you.

1. Right Click on one of the sort column headings

2. Select "More"

3. Scroll down to & select "Date Taken"

4. Select "OK"

5. You can drag the (new) sort column to any position you would like it to reside in File Explorer (or you can move it up or down when selecting Date Taken in step 3 & 4)

Click on Date Taken to sort by Ascending (or Descending)
Click on Date Taken again to sort by Descending (or Ascending)

TraderGary · Nov 12, 2024

Date Created = the date the file was created on your computer. This changes each time you copy or modify an image.

Date Taken = the date you pressed the shutter button. This does not change when you copy or modify an image.

antspants · Nov 12, 2024

Folders are more likely to remember the sort order than files (in my experience)

You could always select photos by groups of date created and select "Move To or Copy To" then created a folder for them by date.
Alternatively you could just create the folder without adding the context menu item and drag your images into it.

First: download the reg file in the following tutorial:
Add or Remove Copy To folder and Move To folder Context Menu in Windows 11 Tutorial Windows 11 Forum

Add or Remove "Copy To folder" and "Move To folder" Context Menu in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove "Copy To folder" and "Move to folder" to the context menu for your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. When you press and hold or right click on selected file(s) and folder(s), click/tap on Show more options, and click/tap on Copy...

www.elevenforum.com

When added, in the photos folder, sort the photos by date created

Select the photos corresponding to a particular date e.x 13/11/2024
Select Move To Folder

Navigate to the parent folder and Make New Folder

Name it by date
- I like to name my Photos Folders by Year-Month-Day (2024-11-13). I find they sort better (ascending or descending)
Select Move to

antspants · Nov 12, 2024

TraderGary said:
Date Created = the date the file was created on your computer. This changes each time you copy or modify an image.

Date Taken = the date you pressed the shutter button. This does not change when you copy or modify an image.

Correct, I added the wrong item. Will fix.
I still have Covid more than two weeks after getting it. I am not thinking straight. Thanks

antspants · Nov 12, 2024

Fixed, thanks Gary

Edwin · Nov 12, 2024

zipsick said:
Can my pictures be rearranged by date taken?

If it's in the metadata, yes.
It would be a huge advantage if your phone could just auto-name captures chronologically, itself!
(I thought most phones do that!)

Fabler2 · Nov 12, 2024

Just for info I copied directly from the phone (not using an App) to the PC. Note in the images I posted earlier there is no "Date Taken" option. Only the "Date Created" option is available and used to get the dates sorted.
However copying the folder from one drive to another and the options change and the "Date taken" option is now available which should be used.

antspants · Nov 12, 2024

Fabler2 said:
Just for info I copied directly from the phone (not using an App) to the PC. Note in the images I posted earlier there is no "Date Taken" option. Only the "Date Created" option is available and used to get the dates sorted.
However copying the folder from one drive to another and the options change and the "Date taken" option is now available which should be used.

View attachment 116131

View attachment 116132

You should only need to add it like in post 7. Then it’s always attainable.

Fabler2 · Nov 12, 2024

Here's another update just for info. Connected iphone and simply copied a folder with some photos/vids on it to the desktop. It's already listed by date taken. No need to do anything. Also the "Date taken" option is available. It's only lost when copied over to my network drive. So it looks like the OP's problem might be the Photos App.

Rearranging Pictures By Date in Folder in File Explorer

Member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

Attachments

My Computers

Member

My Computer

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Stock Market Wizard

My Computers

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

♦ ♦

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Similar threads