File explorer will not Group file names by 'none'

Question

I keep having this problem...

In file explorer, when I try to Group file names by 'none', it will group them correctly then it reverts back to 'date'. This keeps happening over and over and I can't get it to work correctly.

I'm using Windows 11 Home, Version 25H2, OS build 26200.7922.

Answer 1

Emma,

Thanks for your response but that didn't work.

To answer your first question...

I have all of my files in "Downloads", so this is where the problem occurs. There is no pattern to when it will happen. I will open a folder and the files will be listed correctly (sort by 'none'). The next time I open the folder, it might be sorted by date. This changes constantly. It happens on and off in all the folders.

Some of the steps you gave me don't match what I'm seeing on my computer. I am going to tell you what I see in response to your steps. Read on...

Your step 2:

Step 2: Click View, select Group by, and choose None, then click View again and select Options.

What I see: I have to right click in an open area to see the Group by options. That is not available under "View".

Your step 4:

Step 4: In the same View tab, make sure Remember each folder’s view settings is checked, then click OK 

What I see: "Remember each folder's view settings" is NOT anywhere in that list, so I can't check it. I looked everywhere and I can't find that option.

To sum this up, after I attempted to do your steps, the problem still exists.

Answer 2

Welcome BobinOhio,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum.  

I understand how frustrating it can be with File Explorer, setting Group by to None briefly works but then keeps reverting back to Date automatically on Windows 11. 

To better narrow this down, could you confirm: 

• Does this happen in all folders, or only in specific ones such as Downloads or Documents? 
• Does the grouping revert immediately, or only after closing and reopening File Explorer? 

In the meantime, you can try the workaround steps to troubleshoot the issue:  

Step 1: Open File Explorer and go to a folder where the issue occurs 

Step 2: Click View, select Group by, and choose None, then click View again and select Options 

Step 3:  In Folder Options, switch to the View tab and click Apply to Folders, then confirm with Yes 

Step 4: In the same View tab, make sure Remember each folder’s view settings is checked, then click OK 

Step 5: Restart File Explorer by right-clicking the Start button, selecting Task Manager, right-clicking Windows Explorer, and choosing Restart 

Step 6: Test again by reopening the folder and checking whether Group by remains set to None 

The above steps are provided based on the information I have learned so far, I wish that will be helpful to you. If your problem still cannot be solved by these steps, you could tell me about the specific situation in the next reply. I will continue to assist you in solving the problem. 

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Answer 3

When I look at the main list of questions posted in this category, it shows this has been answered. It has NOT been answered. I got an AI assisted 'answer' but I rejected it, so this is still an open question. Thanks.