Disable group by in Downloads folder (Windows 10 1903)

Question

Hi, since I updated to the new Windows 1903 version the files in some folders like "Downloads" are always grouped by the date. I was able to disable this in the File Explorer itself by choosing "Group by = none". But in all kind of "Save as" dialogs from any application the group by date still appears and in those special explorer windows there is no option to disable file grouping in them. So how can I disable this globally?

Answer 1

Hi Chap Sistine,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

The Group by option in normal folders and in Save as window are different, so if you change the Group by to type in Downloads folder, it will not change in Save as window. Then, if you change the Group by in Save as window, it will not change in normal folders.

You can refer the below example.

Change the Group by as size in Downloads folder - Change the Group by as size in Save as window.

Change the Group by as type in Downloads folder - (Check) Group by as size in Save as window (it will not change until you right-click in Save as window and change it to type or anything else).

Also, the Group by option is specific to folders and once you change Group by for a particular folder, the changes will not be applied to all the folders. You need to change the Group by for every folder by opening that particular folder > Press the Alt and V > Click on G > Select the Group by settings or click on Choose columns for more options.

So, once you change the Group by in Save as window, it will remain the same regardless of whichever application you open the Save as window from.

Answer 2

Hi Shafeeq Ali Khan,

Thank's for your detailed reply! I could reproduce what you said, I've seen now that the "normal" File Viewer group setting of a folder can be different from the "save as" setting.

Actually from the beginning I guessed that there is a separate setting stored. But at that time I could not find the "<none>" group setting, it was not available in the download *"save as"*dialog of Firefox for whatever reason (normally it is only not visible if you have already chosen the "<none>" option).

Thank and best regards

Chap

Answer 3

Is there a reason this was chosen as default?

Answer 4

This page holds the key to making this change permanent. Do step 1, but finish with step 2. 😉👍

All the best!

Answer 5

I have a same problem, but your solution is not working. Maybe because I change the Download folder from default but I have no menu on the top at all on the save as or open as dialog.

This is a google chrome current website save as dialog in windows 10 , hungarian language , after the last update.

The system download folder target is moved to e:/Downloads I have no problem before the update with the same folder.