How do I manually move icons in Windows Explorer?

Cyborg31 · 12 Sep 2009

My Folders and files are set on auto-sort (by name) and I can't figure out how to disable it. I want to arrange them in my own order.

Basically I folders A, B, and C and they're arranged in that order by name. I want to move folder A to the end like B, C, A. Of course I try to drag it over to the end but that cursor doesn't appear (the cursor that appears when you try to drag a file or folder inbetween another file/folder).

In Vista, I just need to move one file/folder out of the order and it disables auto-sort. But it doesn't work in Windows 7.

Sassa · 12 Sep 2009

Try this: Right click -> Sort by -> More
And uncheck all...

Antman · 12 Sep 2009

Sassa said:

Try this: Right click -> Sort by -> More
And uncheck all...

Mine refuses to de-select NAME.

Sassa · 12 Sep 2009

Antman said:

Sassa said:

Try this: Right click -> Sort by -> More
And uncheck all...

Mine refuses to de-select NAME.

Mine too...
Hmmm...

johngalt · 12 Sep 2009

Using one of the utilities listed in How to change the last modified date, creation date, and last accessed date for files and folders change the date of the folder you want at the bottom and then sort by date.

I use this sort of method all the time - for example, in my download folders, I have the folder sorted by date descending - so newest items appear at the top - however, I have 3 or 4 items I always want at the top - so I set the date to 3/3/3333 and the time to 3:33:33 so they always appear at the top:

Attachment 27748

Note: That view is from xplorer² Windows File Manager (Explorer replacement) -my personal file manager of choice. Since it has a built in date changer, I do not need to use a 3rd party tool as those listed in the article above, however, I know for a fact that the first one, by Nir Sofer, works in W7, but for files only.

Barman58 · 12 Sep 2009

If these are non system, (user), Folders - the simplest way to arrange folders in the order you require is by adjusting the names of the folders
for example adding a numeric value to the start of the folder name

01 zxxxx...
02 bbbbb...
03 ceed ..
04 aaaaa

No additional software required :)

CRimsonEagle · 22 Nov 2009

wow there seriously has not been a fix for this problem yet... im starting to doubt microsoft...