Windows 7: Windows Explorer Auto Arrange - Disable

One problem I've discovered after disabling the Auto Arrange option is that now when I open a folder Explorer does not remember its previous size and position.

Now every folder opens in the same size and position of the most recently opened folder which is not particularly useful.

I preferred to be able to set a folders size and position on the screen and then have it open in exactly the same spot every time.

Anyone know how to restore this functionality to Explorer?

Hello Scotts, and welcome to Seven Forums.

When you disable Auto Arrange using OPTION ONE, it will also reset all previous set folder views and positions in the process.

However, Windows 7 will still remember each new folder's view settings from the exact same location it was opened from (ex: "My Pictures" opened from Start Menu vs Windows Explorer). A window position will open from the same position as when last closed as well. A folder uses Windows Explorer, so whatever the position was of the last Windows Explorer closed is how the next one will open.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks for the reply Shawn.

I should have clarified that I'm opening folders that reside directly on my Desktop or from shortcuts that are on my Desktop. Either way each folder's size and position was being retained prior to disabling the Auto Arrange feature. Now whenever I move or resize an open folder all susequent folders are opened in the same location and size as that original folder. For some reason Explorer is only able to retain the size and location of a single folder now and then uses that information to open all other folders.

When I restored my registry settings to a state prior to disabling Auto Arrange, Explorer once again retains each folder's individual size and position as expected. If I reapply the disabling Auto Arrange registry settings Explorer again fails to remember each folders size and location. There is definitely a change in the way Explorer opens folders after disabling the Auto Arrange feature.

Prior to trying your solution I tried a different Auto Arrange fix that I found at:
How to Disable Auto Arrange in Folders in Windows 7? - The Winhelponline Blog
but I encountered the exact same side effects that your solution is also causing.

There must be some additional registry tweak that is needed to allow Explorer to retain the ability to remember each folders location.

Thanks, Scott.

Scott,

I'm not sure what to tell you other than that for me, Windows Explorer has always opened to whatever size and position it was when last closed from any open folder before and after using this tutorial.

Folder size and position is a universal setting by default. Only the folder views (sort by, icon/details view, etc..) are a per folder setting.

Shawn,

Sorry, but I have to disagree with your last post. The default behavior for Win XP, Vista, 7 is to remember the size and position of each folder.

Here is the link to the MS support page that addresses this problem and has a tool to fix it: Changes to the size, view, icon or position of a folder are lost

After running the tool Windows 7 once again remembers every folders size and location, but the auto-arrange option is missing on the view menu. Maybe there is a way to disable auto-arrange without breaking Windows 7's ability to remember each folders location settings.

- Scott.

Scott,

I'm just stating my experience with folder size and position for every default Windows 7 installation I use.

I'm afraid that I'm not aware of a way to continue to have size and position remembered with having Auto Arrange disabled.

Scott,

You might see if this may be able to help with the size and position.

http://www.sevenforums.com/customiza...ions-size.html

How to Disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Explorer to have Free Sorting
Have had lots of problems with this and found you on Dogpile Search.
I have already passed it on to other Grey Nomads here down under and this is just to say thanks.
mangomick new member

You're most welcome mangomick, and welcome to Seven Forums. I'm glad it was able to help.

Shawn,

I just saw your last post about the ShellFolderFix utility. It does appear to remember each folders position and size as advertised, but now each time I open a folder it flashes briefly in a different location before appearing in the proper location. A minor annoyance I'll have to live with I guess.


Thanks for the tip,
Scott.