File Explorer Sort Customization

Question

How do u sort files on windows explorer ? I mean putting them in a certain order other than the normal. like if I want a certain file to be on top that's alphabetically coming second or to the bottom.
(Changing the order and moving files or folders in the hierarchy)

How can I do that?

Answer 1

Hi Finity. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

Open File Explorer, select the folder you want to customize, on View tab choose Sort by: then Name for alphabetical sorting, then Ascending or Descending. You can also change that by clicking on the Name label at top of column.

If you have a secondary sort you want to do use the Group By button.

These Sort and Group options are explained more in these tutorials:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/34895-chang...

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/34946-chang...

To set this view for all or selected folders see here:

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16694/customize...

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/35093-apply...

If Windows won't remember Folder view see here:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-7-forget...

(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

https://techcult.com/fix-folder-view-settings-n...

If this is not exactly what you need, please explain a bit more so I can help you better. Otherwise feel free to ask back questions and keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until this is resolved.

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Answer 2

If I understand correctly, you're asking how to manually arrange your files (i.e. not sorted).

You can only do that with icons on the desktop. In folders, files are always sorted by some property, such as Name, Date Modified, Size, etc.

See also this discussion.