custom files sorting in explorer : not anymore?

hdfrango · 10 Aug 2009

Hi,

I am pretty new to windows 7 (installed it yesterday), and compared to vista, it seems windows explorer in windows 7 doesn't allow me to sort files other than with the predefined fields (types, size, date modified, etc.) (here I mean that I can't drag a file manually and drop it where I want in a folder and it will stay there, in the exact postion, as we all are used to in previous windows)

Is that how it was meant to be? Are you all getting this behavior too?

This has a few side effects:

1) not being able to manually reorganise files order made them disable the "drag between files" features, and now users may end up dropping on exe or archives and getting unwanted results, drag and drop is not as intuitive as before.

2) native microsoft applications (like the image viewer) used to be able to determine custom file sort, and it made comparing images with different properties very convenient, and it made such microsoft applications really stand out compared to others.

I am a technically advanced user, I understand why they might want to do this: as an example, the fact it can only be sorted according to a logical and predictable process ensures consistency as to selected sorting method and actual sorting; in vista, you could have a certain sorting method selected, and yet have changed the order manually, making the sorting information provided by windows incorrect and inconsistent.

In short, I just want to make sure it is normal that I get this behavior, know if this can be reverted (or at least if there are ways to make drag and drop more secure for those who still have the habit of the previous explorer, because if they really decided to make it that way, there might not be many uses left for custom sorting), and if you feel like giving your opinion about this change (assuming there is one and it isn't just a local problem here), would be interesting too.

thank you

hdfrango · 10 Aug 2009

sorry if I am not allowed to double post

has been read 50 times and no one even confirmed they also have this behavior?

Is it because I didn't explain clearly?

here are 2 pictures from a xp I have installed on a netbook :

this is the same thing I am talking about: you position a file manually and there is a black line letting you know where it will be dropped, and it stays there in that order untill next sort.

As I said in the previous message, I understand why they might want to do this, but first of all I want to make sure you too have lost that feature

thank you

thank you

fseal · 10 Aug 2009

There are actually other threads about this very issue. Another hidden facet of this change is that if you say DL a new file from a website into your favorite download folder, it USED to always appear at the bottom and you could easily find it. Now it ALWAYS sorts by whatever sorting criteria you have selected which almost always is not at the bottom of the list. You now have to go searching for it. Sometimes you don't even know the name of the file you are DLing since the links don't tell you and if you have a fast connection you may never see the progress DL long enough to see the name at all :)

Basically it seems like the ability to turn off "auto-arrage" like you can on the desktop (and is off by default) has been removed from explorer. I haven't yet seen a solution but more searching on more keywords like "auto arrange" may turn something up.

hdfrango · 10 Aug 2009

yes, I didn't list all consequences, but this was implied by the fact files ALWAYS are sorted in the selected way, no matter if the file is new or whatever.

For that specific example, if you set last modified as the sorting field, you'll find latest files very easily, so I did not really think of that one particular case as an issue.

At least now I know this behavior is normal, thank you.

I can live with it, consistency can always be dealt with ,as it is fully predictable.

may be using third party explorer replacement would give back some of those former behaviors, I might give them a try, but I am not unhappy with those changes, it just took me by surprise when it launched an executable while I wanted to drop between 2 files.

thank you

copernicus · 10 Aug 2009

Feature was removed.

fseal · 10 Aug 2009

Though removed from the UI, sometimes these things stick around in the registry. Bet there is a 50/50 chance of it being restored with a reg hack. May have to wait for the "power tools" creators to find and replace it :)