"Sort by" doesn't show up in desktop context menu

[KnowledgeWorker]

Hi there,

I have a weird and frustrating problem: In my desktop context menu, the option "Sort by" doesn't show up. I don't know why and did some Google searches but almost everything I found was related to explorer issues, not to desktop issues!

I also read through "How to Change the Desktop Icons View Alignment and Sort By Order in Vista" and "How to Change the Group By - Sort By - Arrange By View in Windows 7 Explorer", yet the only thing I found is that indeed the "Sort by" option should be available.

I also found

You’ve always been able to auto-arrange your desktop icons by right-clicking on the desktop and choosing “Sort By.” Now Windows 7 makes it even easier. To auto-arrange the desktop icons according to your default settings, simply press and hold F5. Order is instantly accomplished.

Source: 7 Windows 7 Tips: Part 3 (Now you have 21 total things to try!) - Windows Live
which I consider being ridiculous, at least from my feeling at the moment.

*edit* Attached an actual screenshot.

I hope there is a way out and that M$ did not kill off this important 101-feature!

Thanks in advance!

Kind regards.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello KnowledgeWorker.


Please excuse my mess but I get "sort by" on my desktop though I'm not sure where to start to help you sort your issue; I'm sure someone else with some knowledge of it will come along to help shortly.

 

[FZ21Z]

Shows in mine too, but like you say, searching google doesn't provide any obvious answer. The only thing I could suggest until someone can offer a better solution, is to use a reg file. I use this one - windows-7-registry-tweaks.zip

 

[KnowledgeWorker]

Hi

@BareFootKid: Indeed, your setup seems to be right/unbroken, congrats

@FZ21Z: Great website recommendation, thx! Yet I'm hesitant to install the *.reg. From which article page did you get it? Please point me to the article URL (I'm already searching for it), thanks.

 

[FZ21Z]

It's an attachment I uploaded here, and can't remember where I got it from. I also posted it in this thread - http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/63653-new-drop-down-menu-missing.html - with a couple of images to show it.

 

[FZ21Z]

Found it - Collection of Registry Tweaks for Windows 7 - Tweaking with Vishal

* Adds "Copy To" and "Move To" options in files and folders context menu, so that you can easily copy and move them to other locations.

* Sets Windows to automatically end task of programs which are either hanged or taking longer time than expected to exit.

* Decreases menus show delay time, it'll show the sub-menus fast when you select their parent menu.

* Disables the low disk space check so that you don't get the annoying low disk space notification in system tray.

* Sets Windows to not waste time in searching for a program which no longer exists in your system when you try to open its shortcut.

* Disables "search on Internet" prompt in "Open with" window so that it directly opens the program list.

* Speeds up the Explorer navigation.

* Adds "Take Ownership" option in files and folders context menu so that you can easily take ownership of files and folders in case you want to replace them for customization purpose.

 

[KnowledgeWorker]

Thanks FZ21Z, good to know. I also also looked at the "raw code" already.

I did already integrate the first and last point, the last one via a reg edit posted here and the first via Tera Copy. Although this is a useful regedit, I don't see how it changes / solves my problem. Indeed it does not after applying.

 

[KnowledgeWorker]

SOLVED: The problem is Fences (free version) by Stardock Corporation.
After uninstalling "Sort by" is showing up again.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello KnowledgeWorker, glad to see you got it sorted.

 

[jagman55]

Sort by in content menu

RIGHT ON,

i had deleted the Fences but that did not work but forgot to uninstall and that did it.

THANKS.

Ps: I kind of liked Fences so did you find an solution around the problem of getting both?