Windows Explorer Auto Arrange - Disable

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 is basically like having how you can arrange icons how you like on your desktop in every folder in Windows Explorer now.

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 and position you like in each opened folder 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 (order and position), and open as how they were when the folder window was last closed.

   Note

When You Disable Auto Arrange:

• While using Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder views, you can arrange files/folders in any random order and position.
• While using Details folder view, you can only arrange files/folders in any order and not in any random position.
• While using Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder views, you can click on View (Menu bar) and check Auto arrange to have the black indicator line back inbetween files/folders when arranging files/folders in any order. This turns off the ability to arrange files/folders by random positions though.
• While using Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder views, you can click on View (Menu bar) and uncheck Auto arrange to be able to arrange files/folders in any order and random positions.
• The Auto arrange and Align to grid options can be turned on and off at will in the View (Menu bar and right click context menu) when available (not grayed out) while using Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, or Extended Tiles folder views.
• If you have items arranged by random positions and switch from a Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, and Extended Tiles folder view to a List, Details, Extended Tiles, or Content folder view, the random positions will be reset but still placed in a order of arrangement instead.
• If you 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

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

• While this tutorial will allow you to disable auto arrange in the main Libraries folder itself, it will not disable auto arrange in any of the other library folders (ex: Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos).
• Free sorting is not available if you use "Group by" folder views instead of only "Sort by" folder views.
• Free sorting is not available in the List and Content folder views.
• When you disable Auto Arrange, you will have Extend Tiles folder view instead of Tiles available in all folders except the Computer windows.

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

   Warning

It is also recommended to create a restore point before doing this option in case you would like to undo any unwanted unknown side affects that OPTION TWO may not undo. This way, you could also do a system restore with this restore point to undo this option completely.

1. Click on the Download button below to download the BAT file below.
Disable_Windows_7_Explorer_Auto_Arrange.bat

Download


2. Save the .bat file to your desktop.

3. Close everything that you have running first, then run the downloaded .bat file.

4. If prompted, click on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.

5. You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt open as the explorer process is restarted.

6. Let the command prompt count down to finish on it's own without pressing a key.

7. When it's finished, you will see the Computer window open.

8. Auto arrange in Windows Explorer is now disabled.

OPTION TWO

To Enable Auto Arrange in Windows 7 Windows Explorer

NOTE: This is the default setting.
1. Click on the Download button below to download the BAT file below.
Enable_Windows_7_Explorer_Auto_Arrange.bat

Download


2. Save the .bat file to your desktop.

3. Close all opened explorer windows first, then run the downloaded .bat file.

4. If prompted, click on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.

5. You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt open as the explorer process is restarted.

6. When it's finished, you will see the Computer window open.

7. Auto arrange in Windows Explorer is now enabled again.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Back Up and Restore Your Folder View Settings in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Disable Auto Arrange in Vista Windows Explorer to have Free Sorting
• Make Windows 7 Start Menu User Folder Buttons Open to Users Instead of Libraries Location
• How to Enable or Disable Numerical Sorting in Windows Explorer
• How to Reset All Folder View Settings to Default in Windows 7
• How to Reset the Folder View Settings for All Folders with Same Folder Template in Windows 7
• "Apply to Folders" a Specific Folder View to All Folders with Same Folder Template in Windows 7
• How to Change a Folder Template in Windows 7
• How to Set a Default Folder Template for All Folders in Windows 7
• How to Change the File and Folder View Arrangement in Windows 7 Explorer
• How to Change the Icon Size in a Windows 7 Explorer Window
• How to Change the Group by, Sort by, and Arrange by Folder View in Windows 7 Explorer
• How to Set a Default Folder View for All Folders in Windows 7
• How to Add or Remove Windows Explorer Columns
• How to Change the Width of Columns in Windows Explorer
• How to Enable or Disable Start Menu Auto Arrange by Name in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Arrange Folders Included in a Library in Any Order in Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[TeeDoubleUDee]

Thanks Brink, I missed that . It sounds like you might be on the case though so will keep watching - don't know how we managed before forums like these became available - keep up the good work!

 

[Brink]

Hopefully one day.

 

[dbbb]

I have been struggling with this rediculous situation since I bought my new computer which came with Windows 7. Before coming across this post I was very close to giving up on Windows 7 and moving back to XP.

But ... IT WORKS!!!!! I let out a yelp of sheer glee! I am now very happy indeed!

Thanks for a superb piece of work there, you have transformed my Windows 7 experience; I was appauled by the removal of this feature by Microsoft.

I see you are trialing SP1 beta - is Microsoft going to enable users to disable all their sorting features in the later version? It does not seem to me that they are listening to customers who disagree with their world view, though this could be unfair.

(A very happy) David

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome David.

So far in the SP1 beta, you will still need to use the tutorial to disable auto arrange. Hopefully they might add a "Folder Option" or something to make toggling this off and on easier to do in a later SP1 release.

 

[xboxhaxorz]

i did this. but when i unzip a folder it always put its at the top.

 

[Brink]

Hello xboxhaxorz,

This is normal even after disabling auto arrange. You will just need to arrange the folder how you like it after unzipping it.

 

[xboxhaxorz]

Hello xboxhaxorz,

This is normal even after disabling auto arrange. You will just need to arrange the folder how you like it after unzipping it.

darn, guess xp has something over 7

 

[Brink]

Well, since it's not normal to disable auto arrange in Windows 7, there are a few quirks that make it just not the same as it was in XP unfortunately.

 

[stereo]

I hope they'll fix this, with this :
Service Pack 1 Release Candidate Now Available - Windows Server Division WebLog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

 

[Brink]

Hello Stereo,

Sorry, but I do not think that Microsoft is going to have Auto Arrange in Windows Explorer disabled by default, or even have an option to do since it was by design for Windows 7. SP1 RC does not have it.

 

[Stan X]

Hi guys,

I'm glad I fond this page this is exactly what I am trying to fix but I am having trouble. When I try to follow the steps for the .reg files I am unable to merge my files by right clicking them. Instead I have to right click -> Open With -> Regestry Editor (in another forum I read that this might work in opening the .reg files) and from there I have a security bypass, a confirmation step, and then it says that they have both been added to the registry yet I still can't move my files around in my folders. I logged off after the first one was added, and opened up My Computer before doing the second .reg file. If anyone knows what I can do to get this to work I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hello Stan, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You can fix the .reg file issue by double checking in Default Programs to make sure that the .reg file extension has it's "Current Default" program set as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe). Afterwards, go through the steps again to see if that may help.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[stereo]

Hello Stereo,

Sorry, but I do not think that Microsoft is going to have Auto Arrange in Windows Explorer disabled by default, or even have an option to do since it was by design for Windows 7. SP1 RC does not have it.

Will they ever fix that ?
There is so many tricks ( for XP, Vista, 7 ) registry editing, and so on.
I can't understand : is that so hard to fix this problem ?

 

[Brink]

Hello Stereo,

Good question. Considering it was by design since Vista to help performance, I would not think that it would be considered a bug that needs to be fixed.

 

[eitsuop]

Does this work on a folder-by-folder basis?

I want my Downloads folder auto-arranging the way it always has, but my Videos and Pictures folders to be arranged manually. Will this work?

 

[Brink]

Hello Eitsuop, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry, but it will affect all folders.

 

[eitsuop]

Damn. How I wish that Windows could have more OSX-like functionality!

 

[Stan X]

Hello Stan, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You can fix the .reg file issue by double checking in Default Programs to make sure that the .reg file extension has it's "Current Default" program set as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe). Afterwards, go through the steps again to see if that may help.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

Hi Shawn, thank you for responding so quickly but unfortunately setting the .reg files to (default) open with the registry editor didn't change anything. I already tried "open with" those files before with the registry editor and I had the same response then as I do now. I open the "reset.reg file", then I have to say yes to a security check, then yes to confirm that I want to replace this in the registry, then I pres OK on the window that confirms that it has been replaced. I then log off (or restart I have tried both) and open up my computer before following the same steps for the "disable.reg" file.

If there is anything else you can think of that might solve my problem I would really appreciate it. Thanks again.

 

[Brink]

Stan,

It sounds like the REG files are merging just fine. I'm not certain why it is not working for you. I guess make sure that you are logged in an administrator account, and double check each step again as you try again to see if there may have been a mistake made somewhere before.

 

[demogo]

Hmmm. This is one of my biggest pet peeves with Win 7.

I use folders on my desktop to organize my contents and have done so for a long time, only to find that feature missing with Win 7.

I've followed your instructions to the letter and there doesn't seem to be any change at all to the Windows behavior. Auto arrange still seems to be very much active, unfortunately.

Any ideas of things to try? My account has admin privileges, the registry merges happened just as expected, I had the computer window open, I logged out when I was supposed to -- and no changes in behavior at all.

I even undid it with your 2nd step and then tried it all again, this time restarting the computer instead of logging out. Nada.