Solved Folder Detail Options: Name Check Box Lock

[MTeague]

I've never seen this before and I'm usually very good at finding the problem on Google and solving it myself. But I've searched quite deeply and used the search history here just to make sure but it seems I'm the only one with this issue:

Operating System: Windows 7
NOTE: I run Windows 7 in Classic View (Win 95/98 look)
Folder Browser: Explorer
Issue Last Noticed: Only today
Issue Details: I like to have my files free to arrange them as I please (i.e. not by date, name, size, etc. but by individual content and sometimes frequency of use), and not automated in any way, shape, or form. So unlike others I am not wanting every folder sorted by Name. But for some strange and odd reason, I right-click on the folder (as I've done for years) to "Sort By", and then to "More..." and at the top of the check boxes is "Name". It is checked.

When I click to un-check it, I only get the loud error-blip sound and it will not let me un-check it. I can click, check, and un-check every other option but "Name" seems to be set on some sort of default.


When I change the "Sort By" options, the folder lets me sort them by the options there, but then locks the folders in place. In attempt to drag a file around, the mouse gives me the "unavailable" cursor. Example: I can sort my files by Date, but then I cannot modify them in any way after that except by the list of options Sort By gives me.

Occurrence: Does not happen on the Desktop, but it does for every single folder I have and create, including the Recycling Bin.



Already Tried: Restarting, Looked for Auto-Arrange options (they don't seem to exist), Restoring Folder Options from Properties back to Default, different View settings, Grouping by None.


I will not settle for adding tags to arrange them as I want, nor will I accept temporary fixes that make me have to continuously change something every time I open the file or start the computer. The only solution I will take is a permanent fix to the options and an explanation to what's going on so it doesn't happen again.

 

[Brink]

Hello MTeague, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It is normal to not be able to remove (uncheck) the Name column since it is required.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/102884-windows-explorer-columns-add-remove.html
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What did you want to modify that it didn't let you do when you had it with Sort by Date?

For Auto Arrange, you might see if this may be what you are looking for to be able to manually arrange the files and folders in any order. This will not work in libraries though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/92758-windows-explorer-auto-arrange-disable.html
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Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[MTeague]

Oh, I just now noticed the "Choose Details" is only for display, not by "how to arrange". Well then I was probably misunderstood. So the problem isn't what I want to display, but the fact that I'm incapable of "free sorting" my files.


An example of what I want to do:

What happens instead:

I do not sort my files by Date, Name (Alphabetically), Type, nor Size, and I don't use Tags.

 

[Brink]

For that, you could use the tutorial below to disable auto arrange. Afterwards, you would be able to arrange files like that.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/92758-windows-explorer-auto-arrange-disable.html

 

[MTeague]

Ugh, just found out that Windows 7 deleted the option to turn off auto-arrange for some unknown reason . I didn't realize I had to download something to remedy the problem. Thanks for the download though.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.