Windows 7 - Windows Explorer Auto Arrange - Disable

**Brink**

How to Disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Explorer to have Free Sorting

Information

In Windows 7, auto arrange is enabled by default so that all file and folder names in Windows Explorer are sorted alphabetically no matter what folder view you used.

This will show you how to disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 to be able to sort your files and folders in any random order you like in Windows Explorer and in the Pin to Start Menu area at the top of the Start Menu without it having to be sorted alphabetically by name. Windows 7 will also remember these random folder sortings, and open as how they were when the window was last closed.

The free sorting is only possible in the Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, Details, and Extended Tiles folder views, and not in the List and Content folder views. Free sorting is not available if you use "Group by" folder views instead of only "Sort by" folder views.

Note

When you disable auto arrange, and either unzip a file in a folder, move a folder, or rename a folder, it will refresh and auto arrange the files in that specific folder only after each time you do this. Auto arrange is still disabled for that folder, but you will need to arrange the files back to whatever non-auto arranged order you like again after unzipping a file in a folder, move a folder, or rename a folder.

Warning

While this tutorial will allow you to disable auto arrange in the Libraries folder itself, it will not disable auto arrange in any of the other library folders (ex: Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos).

DO NOT USE this tutorial in any other OS than Windows 7.

EXAMPLE: Auto Arrange Enabled and Disabled
NOTE: Notice in the screenshot with Auto Arrange disabled, the files can be dragged around the Windows Explorer window to sort how you like without having to be in alphabetical order.

OPTION ONE

To Disable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Windows Explorer

1. Click on the Download buttons below one at a time to download these files.
Reset_All_Folders_To_Default_Folder_Views.reg

Disable_Windows_Explorer_Auto_Arrange.reg

2. Click on Save, and save both .reg files on your desktop.

3. Close all opened Windows Explorer windows.

4. Right click on the downloaded "Reset..." .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

7. Open the Computer window. (very important to do before continuing to step 8)
NOTE: Open the Start Menu, then click on the Computer button on the dark right side.

8. Right click on the downloaded "Disable..." .reg file and click on Merge.

9. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

10. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg files if you like.

OPTION TWO

To Enable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Windows Explorer

NOTE: This will undo OPTION ONE above to enable auto arrange again.

1. Download and merge only the Reset_All_Folders_To_Default_Folder_Views.reg file in step 1 of OPTION ONE above.

2. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**Yajiro** · 06-28-2010

Brink, is it possible to change Extended Tiles back to normal Tiles and have it still work?

**Brink** · 06-28-2010

Hello Yajiro,

Sorry, but it does not work in any of the "Tiles" view settings.

**srskypuppy** · 07-23-2010

Hello Brink,
I have been very displeased with W-7 explorer, thanks for working on this!

I found your solution only after implementing one from another source and wonder which is best overall.

If you are interested, would you please take a look at "disablefullrowselect" in the file "Windows 7-fullrowsel.zip"
found here: How to Disable Full Row Select in Explorer in Windows 7? - The Winhelponline Blog

I'm looking forward to your comparison!
Thanks again,
Steve

**Brink** · 07-23-2010

Hello Steve, and welcome to Seven Forums.

The link you posted to is not for the same thing though.

I have seen that, but in my opinion the side effects it causes may not be worth doing it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**srskypuppy** · 07-23-2010

Hi Shawn,
Yes they are different fix's: I read that the auto arrange disable is a side effect of the authors main intent which was to disable full row select.

It sounds like your registry change is cleaner and more specific so I’d like to give it a try.

Question: In case it doesn’t work for me, does’ your solution have an "undo" or would I need to go back myself and do a system restore or maybe manually re-install my old reg file?

**Brink** · 07-23-2010

Ah, ok.

You can do OPTION TWO using the Reset download to undo it.

**mardy88** · 07-23-2010

Thanks...

**Brink** · 07-23-2010

You're most welcome Mardy, and welcome to Seven Forums.

**Capt.Jack Sparrow** · 07-23-2010

Shawn,

Does it improve the performance of loading files ?

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