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

 

[Brink]

As a test, create a new administrator account for yourself, log in to it, then see how this behaves in the new account. This will help determine if this is just an issue in your original account, or a global issue.

 

[erewhon]

As a test, create a new administrator account for yourself, log in to it, then see how this behaves in the new account. This will help determine if this is just an issue in your original account, or a global issue.

Followed your instructions - same thing, within minutes of dragging the folders into alphabetical order with the files they reverted back to segregation.

 

[Brink]

It sounds like something is refreshing it to auto arrange them back. I must admit that I'm not sure what keeps resetting it.

Please post a screenshot of what you have in the right pane of the registry key location below to see if something there may be it.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

 

[erewhon]

I also have Camtasia video recording software if necessary.

Thanks

 

[Brink]

That's the correct location, but you'll need to post one with the Advanced key highlighted (selected to be opened) to see what it has in it's right pane instead.

 

[erewhon]

That's the correct location, but you'll need to post one with the Advanced key highlighted (selected to be opened) to see what it has in it's right pane instead.

 

[Brink]

There's nothing there that would reset it.

 

[erewhon]

There's nothing there that would reset it.

Well that's very interesting. There's not much I can do now except monitor the situation.

Interestingly, for years I've been using a third party app called Vista Start menu with my Vista installation - love it. The same person created Start Menu X for Windows 7. I didn't like the way it displayed so I uninstalled it. I gave it another try yesterday and decided it's still better than Microsoft's offering.

Anyway, this morning, after reading your email, I switched it off and rearranged the programs in Windows' Start Menu (for the n'th time) to see if my my mind was playing tricks on me. It hasn't reverted back for an hour now . . . but when I switch to Start Menu X, the files and folders are separated again, but this time the folders are listed first.

Thanks for your help, if anything noteworthy occurs I'll contact you.

 

[Brink]

That has got to be the issue then since it's happening when using Start Menu X. Something from it is resetting the Start Menu arrangement.

 

[rfws2001]

This fix was a godsend for me earlier this year. Since then I have been happily arranging files as I want them arranged. Today I found every folder had reset back to the auto arrangement. I don't think I did any of the things that might cause it. It's very depressing. I guess all good things come to an end.

 

[Brink]

Hello rfws,

Double check the listed items in the blue Note box at the top of the tutorial to see if any one of those conditions may have reset the folder views.

Did you just install any Windows Updates or anything just before this happened?

 

[rfws2001]

I'm pretty sure I didn't do any of those, or install any updates. That's the annoying thing.

 

[Brink]

Hmm, I must admit that I'm not sure why your folder views just reset to default on you like that then.

 

[Xap]

Same problem. When auto arrange is disabled, new files are storred at the begining of the list. Pretty annoying...

Still now way to fix this?

 

[Brink]

Hello Xap,

I'm afraid not. They must be manually placed where you like still when auto arrange is disabled.

 

[librasun]

You have my vote for MVP

I love you!!! Thank you for this download to disable auto arrange. You have kept me from throwing my computer against the wall!

 

[Brink]

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

 

[mlynn524]

thanks

Thanks! It works fine so very greatfull it was really getting on my nerves. I only have one question, Why is it that even though I can move icons where I want them in folders other then the documents I dont mind that it works if ya move them elsewhere. My question is why cant I put them anywhere I want them (not aligned to grid) like in previous windows os's I dont understand can that just not be fixed? Well thanks a lot anyway it does what I wanted for most part was just curious as to why that cant be fixed. First time user, registered just to leave this comment, would love some feedback. Thanks again.

 

[mlynn524]

p.s. how do I check solved thread? I dont see it anyway.

 

[Brink]

Hello Mlynn, and welcome to Seven Forums.

The green "Solved" button will only be available in a thread you created in the other forums. It's not available in tutorials since there's nothing to solve for a tutorial.

They are aligned to grid to prevent them from being overlapped on each other while arranging them how you like.

As long as it's not in a library, you should be able to arrange icons how you like in your Documents folder as well. You'll just need to change the folder view to one of the icons views instead.