Sorting Files

antspants · Aug 22, 2023

LesFerch said:
Getting back to the original issue...

It’s all the same issue, for some of us, file manager wont retain views. I sort my files by extension (type). It doesn’t retain that just like it doesn't retain date view.

LesFerch · Aug 22, 2023

antspants said:
It’s all the same issue, for some of us, file manager wont retain views. I sort my files by extension (type). It doesn’t retain that just like it doesn't retain date view.

Please give WinSetView a try. I'm sure it will correct the issues you're seeing.

TraderGary · Aug 22, 2023

After reading through this thread I thoroughly tested my File Explorer. I can sort any folder's files on any column heading and I retain all sorts without any failures. My File Explorer works exactly as it should. It retains all sorts on any column for multiple files and multiple folders.

I do not install any of the popular apps that modify the UI to make it look or act like earlier OS versions.

BTW, one of the features I absolutely love is being able to right-click on the header row and choose "Size All Columns to Fit".

I'm using the current release build 22621.2134.

LesFerch · Aug 22, 2023

TraderGary said:
After reading through this thread I thoroughly tested my File Explorer. I can sort any folder's files on any column heading and I retain all sorts without any failures. My File Explorer works exactly as it should. It retains all sorts on any column for multiple files and multiple folders.

I do not install any of the popular apps that modify the UI to make it look or act like earlier OS versions.

BTW, one of the features I absolutely love is being able to right-click on the header row and choose "Size All Columns to Fit".

I'm using the current release build 22621.2134.

Thanks Gary. That's all expected behavior.

The area where Windows 11 File Explorer (unmodified) does not work exactly as it should is when it comes to setting the folder type. Try to override the automatically discovered folder type on a "local disk" or set the folder type for an entire folder tree on a "USB drive".

jimbo45 · Aug 22, 2023

Hi folks
my problem with file explorer is that it's far too basic these days

For example this free Linux tool (package krusader) shows 2 windows side by side and does a whole slew of extra stuff too --copy / move between panels, copy files batch rename etc etc.

File explorer has been around since early windows days without any significant improvements. Even the old DOS XTREE was better and on Windows itself things like Norton Commander are available too. File explorer needs serious updating of functionality.

cheers
jimbo

TraderGary · Aug 22, 2023

Apparently my file handling needs are quite basic. I've used Microsoft File Explorer for the past couple of decades and never felt the need to go looking for something better.

hdmi · Aug 22, 2023

I'm using the current release build 22621.2134 with numerous tweaks that affect not only File Explorer, but also various other parts in the UI of Windows. These include ExplorerPatcher, Open-Shell with some of the options of Classic Explorer, Winaero Tweaker and Ultimate Windows Tweaker. In spite of having so many tweaks, I can sort any folder's files on any column heading and I retain all sorts without any failures too.

Edwin · Aug 22, 2023

On my Windows 11, 25915.1000, I've turned of/uninstalled all tweaks and customizations, I have no problems having Explorer maintain type/view/sort settings.

Survives a reboot.

antspants · Aug 22, 2023

Not sure about @donb2022 (who hasn’t been forgotten about, I am certain) but i’ll be waiting to see what happens after a full fresh install as apposed to the upgrade to 11 I am using. I just want to learn more about 11 first. As I grow ever more tired of installing windows, the older I get.

johnlgalt · Aug 22, 2023

Thanks @antspants and especially @LesFerch for staying on topic and keeping the OP in mind. This was not a thread to discuss the !#@$%#!@% merits of other file managers compared to Explorer!

I answered your PM LesFerch regarding the FM, it's Xplore² that saves folder settings as desktop.ini in any given folder.

OneCommander, my FM of choice for the last year (after a couple of decades using Xplorer²) does not make use of desktop.ini, that I can see, for saving folder options. Good catch on that being a (mostly) not used method anymore.

LesFerch · Aug 22, 2023

@donb2022 Since you're running 22631.2199 / 23H2, I think it's most likely that the sorting issue is the same one described at this Feedback Hub item and it should get resolved with a future fix (hopefully soon). Please let us know if/when that occurs.

Edit: I have replicated the issue on my Windows 11 Canary build after applying the latest updates (23H2 25931.1010).