Windows 7 - File and Folder Arrangement - Group By - Sort By - Stack By

   Information

This will show you how to change and organize the file and folder arrangements in a Windows 7 Explorer window to Group By, Sort By, or Arrange By the available column headings in that window.

   Warning

The Stack By option has been removed in the final Windows 7 RTM version. Please disregard where it use to be in the screenshots below.

1. Open the Windows Explorer folder or library window that you wish to change the view of the icon sizes in.

2. Click on the View menu bar item and select either the Sort By or Group by arrangement options, then select the column name and Ascending or Descending order for how you want the window arranged by. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: The column names listed in the View menu bar will depend on what you have the folder template set as.

1. Open the Windows Explorer folder or library window that you wish to change the view of the icon sizes in.

2. To Sort by or Group by the Column Headings Name Menu

A) Move your mouse pointer on the column headings name that you want to have the window organized by, then click on the arrow to the right of it. (See screenshots below step 3)

B) You can now select to Sort by or Group by the window by that column headings name. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: What you see in your window will also depend on what you have the folder template and arrangement set as.

OR

3. To Select to Organize By the Column Headings Name
NOTE: This will allow you to quickly change what column headings name the window is organized by with still using the Sort By or Group By arrangement that you have set in step 2 or OPTION ONE above.

A) Click on the column heading name. (See screenshots below step 2)
NOTE: Whatever column headings name the triangle is in, is the one that the window is being organized by.

B) Click on the same column heading name until you have the ascending or descending order that you want. (See screenshots below step 2)
NOTE: When the triangle in the column headings name is pointing upwards, then it is descending. When the triangle in the column headings name is pointing downwards, then it is ascending.

   Note

Arrange by is only available in the Library folders. The arrange by options will vary depending on the folder template of the library folder. While all Included Folders and subfolders in a library will always share the same folder view. You can have separate "Arrange by" view settings in each added right click -> New -> Folder created in the library itself though.

The Windows Search Service must be set to Automatic and Started for this option to work.

1. Open the library folder that you wish to change the Arrange by view of the files in.

2. Click on the View menu bar item and select Arrange by and the option for how you want the library folder files arranged. (See screenshot below)

OR

3. Click on the Arrange by toolbar option and select Arrange by and the drop down menu option for how you want the library folder files arranged. (See screenshot below)