Sorting All Folders

Dragon Drop · Nov 16, 2022

I have a huge amount of folders within folders within folders -- a few hundred folders in all. Their contents are mostly Word or Notepad documents. They're all arranged so I know where each folder is. But I want to sort the files in every folder the same way (by date modified, ascending). Do I have to sort one folder at a time, or is there a way to do it all at once?

OAT · Nov 16, 2022

I might be wrong, but it is an Everything or Nothing option.

On the folder on top of the tree
Make your selection, sort/Group etc.
Once you have the desired setting

Click on ...
Options
View
Apply to Folders

Dragon Drop · Nov 16, 2022

No, that doesn't do it. That applies the "View" option to all folders (i.e. view large icons, small icons, tiles, list, etc.) but it doesn't SORT the files.

OAT · Nov 16, 2022

Yes, I was not sure about that one.
It doesn't make much sense to omit the SORT feature.
Yet, when I search I get

First, put the directory into “Details” view mode (if it isn't already) so you have column headings.
...
To apply the current folder's view and sort order to all folders:

Go to the View pane.
Click on Options > Change folder and search options.
Go to the View Tab.
Click on Apply to Folders.

Sep 10, 2020

Dragon Drop · Nov 16, 2022

That "details" view drives me crazy, scrolling up and down. I have to use an Icons view.

Until now I had the icons in alphabetical order, and every folder remains sorted that way until I change it to Sort by Date Modified. If I have to change every folder separately, it'll be a huge job!

Dragon Drop · Nov 17, 2022

I found a Tutorial ("Apply Folder View to All Folders in Windows 11") that seems to have corrected my problem. Although it only says "View" it applies the sort order too. But it uses a batch file that does a Registry edit. Of all the the components of the Windows system, the only one I'm afraid to touch is the Registry, because putting one wrong digit in the Registry can wreck your entire system. But I'm not afraid to use Brink's batch files, which I know are OK.

OAT · Nov 17, 2022

Great, do you mind linking the solution please?

Dragon Drop · Nov 17, 2022

I had to find it again......Here it is.

Apply Folder View to All Folders in Windows 11 Tutorial

OAT · Nov 17, 2022

Thank you @Dragon Drop

Sorting All Folders

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